Who is Jesus?

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty,’” (John 6:35).

Sometimes, on weekend mornings when I’m home alone, I find myself sitting at the table, coffee growing cold in my cup for the third time (if you know me, you know), feeling completely empty. The house is quiet, but in those moments my heart and head are loud with life’s worries: unfinished tasks, unanswered prayers, expectations I’m not sure I can meet.

As women, we are constantly feeding others…our families, our friends, our work peers, our church families…and I’m not just talking about meals. We also pour out attention, encouragement, wisdom, prayers, and time to others. Often, we give so much of ourselves to everyone else that we don’t notice how hungry our own souls have become.

We need nourishment too. Many women live with quiet and persistent hunger and not always physical. It can be spiritual, emotional, or relational hunger as well. I thank the Lord for never experiencing true physical hunger. Even in my most trying financial circumstances, I’ve always had access to food. Unfortunately, I have experienced emotional and relational hunger, especially these past several years. I’ve also hungered spiritually before I chose a closer relationship with Christ and answered His callings for me. Now, if I’m not in God’s Word daily, I feel it like a hunger pang.

When we find ourselves starving in one or more of these areas, we often try to fill the void with other things: increasing productivity in work or volunteer activities, seeking approval from others by changing our behavior to better “fit in” or avoiding saying “no” so as not to disappoint, striving for perfection in our appearances, our relationships, or our activities while setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves and becoming our own worst critics, or turning to sinful behaviors that may provide short-term gratification. The reality is, none of these things will ever fully sustain us or satisfy our cravings.

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare,” (Isaiah 55:2).We weren’t created to survive on scraps of affirmation, empty calories of busyness, or the processed junk of sin. We were meant to be fed by Christ Himself, and nothing and no one else can nourish the soul like Him.

To better understand what Jesus meant when He called Himself the Bread of Life, we must realize the importance of bread in biblical times. Bread wasn’t an optional meal choice; it was an essential food…a daily provision. Life depended on it; without it, families couldn’t survive.

Jesus spoke to those who remembered God’s miraculous provision of daily manna for the Israelites during their years traveling in the wilderness. “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die,” (John 6:48-50). Just as God fed His people then, Jesus declared that He is now the daily provision for our souls.

Additionally, when teaching His disciples to pray, Jesus included this simple request: “Give us this day our daily bread,” (Matthew 6:11). He didn’t say weekly bread nor one-time-only bread nor whenever we want some bread, but our daily bread. He invites us to come to Him every day, just as we are.

We may do this sitting quietly with God before the house wakes up, reading our Bible before opening social media pages, praying over our children on the way to school drop-off, listening to worship music during our daily walk, etc. “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4). Let His Word speak truth over your daily anxieties.

There will be seasons when you feel drained emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and even physically. Your emptiness does not offend Jesus; instead, He welcomes it. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled,” (Matthew 5:6).

Recognizing Jesus as the Bread of Life is vital for our faith. He doesn’t give us just anything; He gives us Himself, which is everything. It’s a beautiful thing knowing you don’t have to come to Him polished or strong. Just come hungry, and He will feed you.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world,” (John 6:51).

When you find yourself alone and feeling empty, remember as Psalm 23:5 promises-God prepares a table before us, even amid our struggles. Jesus invites you to sit, rest, and receive. You are not meant to live spiritually malnourished. You do not have to run on the leftovers of yesterday’s faith. Jesus’ invitation is renewed each day: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28).

Whatever season you’re in, Jesus is enough. When you’re tired, worn, and craving something deeper in life, Jesus is the Bread that sustains. When you feel depleted, overlooked, or overwhelmed, He satisfies in ways no other source can.

Don’t just strive for survival mode; aim for daily sustenance. Come to Jesus’ table, eat deeply of The Bread of Life, and be filled.

Have a blessed week!

-Becky