John 6:35
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Hunger and thirst are physical. Through hunger and thirst we become aware of the needs of our bodies. The needs of our physical bodies are important. Where would you be without your body? Your body is important. When God created humanity, He made us to be creatures with a physical body and a soul.
More than that, to simply say that the body isn’t important, or to say that all that “matters” is the soul, denies the importance of Jesus coming into the world to save us, body and soul. Jesus came into the world and became fully human. Yes, God Himself now has a body. How did God do this? Jesus came to save us by facing physical death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and then physically rising from the dead. Our salvation is both spiritual and physical. At the last day, God promises that we will rise from the dead, a new creation in Jesus.
The problem that people had long ago, and that we still have today, is that we are tempted to think that our lives are only physical or spiritual, not both. The people were chasing Jesus around because they recognized that He could meet their physical needs. God can meet our physical needs! But, we need more! Jesus is more! More than just a free lunch. More than just a physician. Jesus is the one who can forgive sins, free us from death and the devil. Jesus is the Savior who will give the resurrection and eternal life to those who trust in Him.
In the end, at the resurrection, the nature of God’s salvation will be clear for all to see. In the mean time, we must hear the teaching of Jesus so that we don’t forget the miracle that God has done in creating human life. He has given us a body and a soul. He has redeemed both body and soul through Jesus. And through Jesus He will restore us to everlasting life.
All this God gives freely through faith in Jesus. Therefore, both during times of ease as well as during times of trial and testing, we are called to faith in Jesus. He is the world’s one Savior who is truly life. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Let us pray,
I thank you Lord Jesus for supplying all my needs of body and soul. Strengthen my faith each day, so that I will give thanks for your blessings, serve others after your example, and anticipate the resurrection to eternal life that you have promised. In your name I pray. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.