Readings

2 Samuel 18:5-33

Psalm 130

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

John 6:35, 41-51

Devotion

Peace be with you!

I could go for one of the most chocolate-filled, gooey desserts out there about now, like a Chocolate Lava Cake or a Hot Fudge Sundae from Culver’s. My current favorite chocolate fix is Snickers ice cream from Baskin-Robbins. There is something soothing about chocolate that seems to erase all of the problems and drama of life for a time. For me, chocolate puts life’s troubles at bay and gives me a chance to catch my breath and to remember that life has something good to offer. For you, maybe your escape is a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or [whatever “it” is] that gives you comfort after a long day.

However, comfort foods only soothe the trials of life for a little while; eventually you have to go back to face the real world. Food on earth can only satisfy you in the present; it does not sustain you forever nor does it give you life once it is digested and exits your body. Jesus, on the other hand, comes to us as the eternal Bread of Life. He gives us life by leading us into a relationship with God the Father, the one who created us out of chaos and continues to give us order in a chaotic world. The earth was a formless void until God separated light from the darkness, land from the water, and plants from the animals. Today the world has chaos produced by Satan who puts desires on out hearts and causes distress in our lives.

As long as we believe in Jesus – the Bread of Life – we are forgiven of our sins and made new again. Jesus gives us life through his crucifixion, death, and resurrection where we are given forgiveness and grace in the world ruled by a death-dealing Satan. God the Father has life-giving plans for us, though; he wants us to have eternal life through Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.

As an important relationship in my life ends, I am leaning hard on Jesus for his forgiveness, his love, his comfort, and his grace as well as for life. The relationship was with an individual for whom I care deeply, though it was not always a healthy relationship. As time goes on, I am slowly reconnecting with friends and family. I am regaining my sense of self-worth, independence, and self-awareness. Jesus is leading me to a new life as he feeds me the Bread of Life. He is giving me a new life where I can walk beside him and experience his forgiveness, love, and grace. Chocolate might make me feel better for a little bit, but only Jesus will get me through this difficult time and bring me into eternal life.

Thanks be to God!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sustaining us far more than temporary food or drink can do. Help us to trust in you when we feel hungry and thirsty in this old world.  Thank you for your promise that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. In what ways do you turn to Jesus in hard times to fill the void that only he can fill?

2. What does Jesus offer that food or drink never can?