Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4
It is amazing how many food shows are on television these days. All day long you can find a chef or food critic hosting a show about cooking and eating food. There are not only food shows, but food networks – multiple food networks! We are a society controlled, consoled, and consumed with food!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like food. You and I need food to live, but we are not to be consumed by food. I don’t know if it is true or not, but concerning food, I always heard there are two kinds of people – those who “live to eat,” and those who “eat to live.” I’m an “eat to live” guy. I like good food, but mainly, I just want something in my stomach when I’m hungry, and sometimes a quick bowl of cereal or peanut butter and jelly sandwich will do just fine.
We need food to live, but God says we not only need our daily bread, we need something much more valuable and necessary – God’s precious Word. For, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” God’s Word is truth and leads us to the truth – the true bread of life in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48). Jesus Christ is the living bread. We eat physical bread and eventually die, but Jesus promised eternal and abundant life for those who believe in Him:
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51)
God’s Word and the Word that became flesh, Jesus Christ, are special revelation given by God so that we would know God and be called into His family as children of God. God gave of us His Word and gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, who was with God in the very beginning. Listen to God’s Word from John Chapter One:
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning…14The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Be thankful that you have food to eat – even if it is a bowl of cereal or peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Give God praise for the “daily bread” that He provides for us each day. But, much more importantly, I hope and pray you know the giver of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the true bread of life.
May God bless you with His grace, love and truth!