The Bread of Life: Nourishment for a Hungry Soul
“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35
This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, there’s a detail in the story that often goes unnoticed—but it’s one that speaks directly to our deepest hunger. It’s a reminder that the Christmas story isn’t just about a baby in a manger; it’s about the life-giving nourishment He came to offer. From the place He was born to the humble feeding trough He was placed in, there’s a powerful message about food, sustenance, and what truly satisfies our souls. It’s a reminder that some hunger goes beyond the body—it’s the longing of the heart.
Check this out:
Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1). Bethlehem means “House of Bread.”
He was placed in a manger, which is a feeding trough. (Luke 2:7)
He called Himself the “Bread of Life” in John 6:35.
And said in John 6:57, “whoever feeds on me will live.”
The Bread of Life was born in the House of Bread, placed in a feeding trough, and preached “whoever feeds on Me will live.”
Wow!
Jesus is the nourishment we need. Just as our physical bodies are sustained by bread, our soul is nourished by the Person of Jesus. He is our bread.
There are other types of bread named in Scripture—some we should stay away from, but only one promises to satisfy: Jesus, the Bread of Life.
So, what do we do?
1. Get your daily bread
Jesus taught us to pray:
“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
During His temptation, Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4)
God’s word is our spiritual food. Just like you eat bread daily, you need God’s word daily.
Get in the Scriptures daily. Find a daily reading plan. Pray before you read and expect God to speak to you.
2. Meditate on the word
Don’t just read the word, meditate on the word.
When you seek the Lord, meditate on the word, pray in the Spirit, and expect God to reveal Himself to you.
Pray the prayer Paul gave us in Ephesians 1:17-18, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened…”
3. Feed on Jesus
How?
Find out what Scripture says about Him. Ask God for revelation. And meditate on Him daily.
Take time in prayer and worship to commune with Him.
Spend time in His Presence.
To the point: It’s all about Jesus!
As you read and meditate on the Word—look for Jesus!
Jesus is the Word (John 1:14). He is the Bread we feed on. It’s the Person of Jesus that nourishes us.
Jesus is the main character of the Scriptures.
When Jesus was walking on the road to Emmaus, He brought to light that He was the One that the Scripture was pointing to all along: “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27) They later responded and said, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)
They didn’t just hear a general word, they heard the word revealing Jesus! That’s what made their hearts burn!
Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17 ESV)
The love of God is found in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39)
It’s all about Jesus!
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. But when the Father came and spoke from the cloud, look at what happened:
“Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.”
Mark 9:7-8 NIV
Only Jesus remained. Again, God was establishing that it was all about Jesus! Moses and Elijah’s ministries were always to point to Jesus.
Jesus is your daily bread.
See Him! Behold Him. Meditate on Him. Talk about Him.
CONCLUSION
Only Jesus can satisfy the hunger in your heart.
I remember the first time I understood the cross. I was reading Isaiah 53:5 NIV where it said, “the punishment that brought us peace was on him” and God opened my eyes to see that Jesus took my place. That one revelation about Jesus completely changed my life…and it still impacts me to this day. It's the bread that keeps on feeding my soul. I am nourished by the truth of the gospel.
There’s so much God wants to reveal to us. And every time He does, it’s bread for our souls that brings life, healing, and nourishment. Just as natural bread sustains mankind, the Bread of Life, Jesus is the “...bread which strengthens man’s heart.” (Ps. 104:15)
May you feed richly on Jesus this season, that you could say with the psalmist, “I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods.” (Ps. 63:5 NIV)
Question: What’s one thing you can do today to feed on Jesus?