Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Bread has been the staple food of human life in almost every culture, since the dawn of agriculture. It is served at any meal of the day. Its central role in life is reflected in the root of words like company’ or ‘companion’ which literally translate as ‘one that breaks bread with you.’

Jesus did not say He could tell us about the bread of life, nor did He offer to give us the bread of life. Jesus said He IS the bread of life. When Jesus said this, He meant that He is the Living Word of God, which satisfies our need for spiritual food. (The manna provided by God in the wilderness - the bread from heaven - symbolised God’s word in Jewish tradition (Deuteronomy 8:3)). Jesus also issues an invitation. If we come to Him and put our trust in Him, He will satisfy the hunger and thirst of our souls.

John’s gospel begins with the words, ‘In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ (John 1:1, 14)

This Advent, may you be satisfied by Jesus, the Living Word who came down from heaven.
    
"Thou art the Bread of Life, O Lord, to me, Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me” (Mary Lathbury, 1880)

Alison Mair