Among the many self-references that Jesus used in the course of His earthly ministry, the one that is most apt to His mission is surely the 'Bread of Life'. It is unusual to use a food image to refer to oneself except that, for Jesus, bread referenced the Exodus event wherein the people cried for food and through the intercession of Moses, God provided manna from heaven. In the collective memory of the Israelites, this was the greatest sign and evidence of God's providence. But here is Jesus, the Son of God, Who is far greater than Moses, and the people are questioning His identity and authority!

Thus, Jesus put it simply: He is the Bread of Life. To those who do not believe in Him, they have made their choice. But to those who do believe in Him, the bread will be given to them and they will never be hungry or thirsty again. More than physical hunger and thirst, Jesus fills the emotional and spiritual voids of the people so that they may have life to the fullest.

It is interesting that the Hebrew word for bread is "lehem" (םחל). That Jesus was born in Beth-lehem (house of bread) and laid in the manger (a food bowl for animals) speaks volumes of His mission to become the heavenly bread given to all who come to Him. May we be the believers who cry out daily to God, "Sir, give us that bread always."