FOOD FROM HEAVEN
In the Bible, Jesus Christ said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). God provided for needs of our spirit and body. The Lord said, seek first the spiritual things of the kingdom of God, and the things of the physical world that we need will be added (Matthews 6:33).
TO GET PEOPLE’S ATTENTION ABOUT THEIR SPIRITUAL NEEDS THE LORD MAY PROVIDE FOR THEIR PHYSICAL NEEDS.
“God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). Showing his awareness of mankind’s physically needs, Jesus miraculously healed many that sought him because they were sick. And on an occasion when many continued to follow him, he fed over 5,000 people, with two fish and five loaves of bread (John 6). The next day they followed Jesus to another location. Jesus told them they followed him not because they believed the miracles he did was evidence he was from God the Father (John 15:24), but “because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” However, he told them, “do not work for food that spoil but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (John 6:26-27).
BUT HE WANTS US TO KNOW HIS PRIORITY IS OUR SPIRITUAL NEEDS.
Some people asked Jesus what works they should to do to have eternal life. Jesus told those who asked, what they needed to do to have eternal life:
- He said his heavenly Father’s will is that everyone who comes to the Son and believe in him shall have everlasting life. And he declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).
- He went on to tell them, the bread which he will give is his flesh for the life of the world. (He makes reference to the Passover supper, where he says his body would be broken like bread, and his blood would be shed like wine for the sins of the world.—(Matthew 26:26-29; John 3:16).)
- Furthermore, he told them, “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them” (John 6:56). (Jesus referred to the HOLY SPIRIT who would come to live in those who believe in God’s Son ( John 7:38-39; John 14:15-18).
Following Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit he promised, to dwell in believers and be their helper (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-3). The Holy Spirit, dwelling in believers, produces the fruit of the Spirit that grows us into the likeness of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Eating the heavenly, living by the word of God fits us to live with our Lord God forever in heaven. (Galatians 5:22-25; Romans 8:29; John 14:3).
