Bible Reading Blog
“Drawn to Life”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: John 6
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6.44, 51)
If I go too long without eating, my body lets me know. My head starts hurting, my stomach makes noises, and my body feels tired. At that point, I’m on a mission to find food. If I’m at home, I’m going to the fridge. If I’m out, any Chik-Fil-A will do. As my hunger increases, it draws me to a place I know I will get fed.
Naturally, we seek out food because physical life can only be sustained by external sources. But even these efforts are short-lived because nothing lasts. Jesus would often play off the need for continual sustenance to point to a greater reality. “Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life…” (John 6.27).
We each have a need and craving for spiritual restoration and eternal nourishment. Depression, anxiety, fear, and loneliness are some of the most common indicators of spiritual malnourishment and deficiency. When you experience these things, where are you going for nourishment?
We are naturally drawn to sources we believe will feed that need. This can look like meaningful relationships, pursuits or even lifestyle changes. All of these can be good things, but are not the source of life. If we are truly seeking fulfillment, inevitably we will find ourselves drawn to Jesus (John 6.44).
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6.35). These are promises to not only satisfy, but sustain life eternally (see also Hebrews 13.8). As with food and water, one may eat and drink of his life by feeding on the unchanging word (John 6.68) and having his mind in you (Philippians 2.5).
Partaking with Christ in these things provides hope in the future and resolve to persevere in this life. The scriptures encourage us to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34.8), and to delight in the Word who became flesh (John 1.14). He is the source, who not only gives life (John 1.3-4a) but offers it abundantly (John 10.10). Let’s not settle for temporary satisfaction when we can eat and be satisfied with the words of Jesus that produce life.
“Blessed is the man [whose]… delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1.1-3)
