I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE

Newsletter 193 - May 15, 2010

Bob Mills

Jesus used the words “I AM” in reference to himself many times. (The bread of life, the light of the world, the door of the sheep, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the way, the truth and the life, and the vine) And there are numerous others a little more indirectly. This is my body, and, this is my blood, and the head of the church come to mind.

These are all very true, and they illustrate just how we are absolutely dependent upon him. We are considering only one of them today, “I am the bread of life.” In these few verses, the thought is voiced four times. Food is essential to sustain life. This is true both in the physical and the Spiritual sense, and contrary to popular opinion, the Spiritual is by far the greater. The physical is limited to this earthly life, but the Spiritual is eternal. In relation to his discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well, he told the apostles, “I have food to eat that you know not of.” He was not talking about bread. One can become so engrossed in a conversation or in writing that he forgets to eat. If only we all did that far more often.

Satan had thought that he could tempt Jesus to make the stones become bread, but physical food was not what was on his mind at that time. That could wait, as it had already for many days. With the exception of a diabetic, most of us would probably benefit from an occasional fast. Better a fast than a feast.

John 6:31-51 (King James Version)

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. (Exodus 16:4, Exodus 16:15, Numbers 11:8, John 6:49, John 6:58, Psalm 78:24, Exodus 16:4, Exodus 16:15, Nehemiah 9:15, Psalm 105:40)

32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (John 6:41, John 6:50)

34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (John 4:15)

35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:48, John 6:51, John 4:14)

36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. (John 6:26)

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:39, John 17:2, John 17:24)

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 3:13, Matthew 26:39, John 4:34, John 5:30, John 6:29)

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (John 6:37, John 17:2, John 17:24, John 17:12, John 18:9, Matthew 10:15, John 6:40, John 6:44, John 6:54, John 11:24)

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 12:45, John 14:17, John 14:19:, John 3:16, Matthew 10:15, John 6:39, John 6:44, John 6:54, John 11:24)

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. (John 1:19, John 6:52, John 6:33, John 6:51, John 6:58)

42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? (Luke 4:22, John 7:27, John 6:38, John 6:62)

43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (Jeremiah 31:3, Hosea 11:4John 6:65, John 12:32, John 6:39)

45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (Acts 7:42, Acts 13:40, Hebrews 8:11, Isaiah 54:13, Jeremiah 31:34, Philippians 3:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 John 2:27)

46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. (John 1:18)

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:51, John 6:58, John 11:26)

48 I am that bread of life. (John 6:35, John 6:51)

49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. (John 6:31, John 6:58)

50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. (John 6:33, John 3:36, John 5:34, John 6:47, John 6:51, John 6:58, John 11:26)

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:35, John 6:48, John 6:41, John 6:58, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:47, John 6:58, John 11:26, John 1:29, John 3:14, Hebrews 10:10, 1 John 4:10, John 6:53-56)
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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010


MAY

16th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 3, 4, John 10:1-21, Proverbs 12:1-13

17th. Monday – 1 Samuel 5, 6, 7, John 10:22-42, Psalm 62

18th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 8, 9, John 11:1-27, Psalm 63

19th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 10, 11, John 11:28-57, Psalm 64

20th. Thursday – 1 Samuel 12, 13, John 12:1-22, Proverbs 12:14-28

21st. Friday - 1 Samuel 14, John 12:23-50, Psalm 65

22nd. Saturday – 1 Samuel 15, 16, John 13, Psalm 66:1-10

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

John 6:27

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Bottle trouble

A woman was trying hard to get the catsup to come out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her four-year old daughter to answer the phone.

"It's the minister, Mommy," the child said to her mother.

Then she added, "Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle."