Believe
Scott Murphy, First Presidency
Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. -John 6:32-35
I don’t know about you, but at times I struggle in my discipleship when my human nature tries to fit Jesus into a box that meets my immediate needs rather than allow Jesus to be who he desires to be in my life and in the world. Our scripture today is a story where another group of people attempted to fit Jesus into a box that met their needs. But Jesus makes it known that he is so much more than their limited perceptions of him.
In this story we meet a group of people who follow Jesus into Capernaum after the feeding of the multitude with just a few fish and loaves of bread. In their amazement, the people want more from Jesus. As they question Jesus, he becomes frustrated because they perceive him in the wrong way. Jesus refused to be limited to being just a “miracle-producing gift” from God. It is Jesus they are to “believe” because Jesus is the one whom God has sent: “I am the Bread of Life.”
In this simple but powerful statement, Jesus proclaims that his life and purpose are so much more than the people’s perception of him. “I am” declared Jesus’ oneness with God that offered more to their lives than what they understood from their past beliefs. This incarnation of oneness and love would fill them so they would never again hunger for the presence of God’s love and peace in their lives. The people wanted signs and miracles. Jesus was offering the spiritual sustenance of wholeness and joy for their lives.
In many ways, the question we face in this scripture lesson today is, “Who will we let Christ be in our daily lives?” When we believe in the Bread of Life, we can be filled with wholeness and joy that blesses our lives. Believe and be filled.
Prayer Phrase
“In God’s hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10).
Spiritual Practice
All That Lives
Sit quietly and sense God’s presence flowing through the trees and all creation. Offer a prayer of gratitude for your connection to all that lives. Ask for grace to discern and carry out one small act of justice or healing that creates greater wholeness for the plants, animals, trees, waters, air, and land that are part of the community of creation.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
