Be Hungry for the Right Bread – August 23, 2024

Read: John 6:35-51

[Jesus said] “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
John 6:48-51

Be Hungry for the Right Bread

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“How can it be?” they thought. “This doesn’t make any sense!”

The Jewish people were frustrated, confused, and upset. Jesus recently fed more than 5,000 people with an amazing miracle. How many came to him because they wanted more food, miracles, and amazing things? They wanted Jesus to be an earthly king to give them whatever they wanted.

Jesus told them they were hungry for the wrong kind of bread.

How do you know that you are hungry? Maybe your stomach starts growling. Perhaps you begin to feel weak and cranky. When that happens, you know what to do. You go to the refrigerator and get some food. After you gobble down what you picked out, you feel content and satisfied again.

How do you know if you are spiritually hungry? That’s right, just like you get an empty tummy, you can have an empty soul. That’s why we need different bread to eat. You may feel anger, anxiety, fear, or guilt when you’re spiritually famished. You know something is missing but don’t always know what to do with spiritual hunger.

Jesus reminds us today that we shouldn’t only look for earthly bread. Jesus will provide food, clothing, and other daily needs. But Jesus reminds us that he gives us something better—himself. Jesus tells us he is the “bread of life.” Just like God fed the ancient Israelites in the wilderness with special bread called manna, so now he feeds our souls with his forgiveness. When we feel spiritually hungry, Jesus invites us to the spiritual fridge, his church, where he will give us spiritual food—God’s Word and sacraments. He promises to satisfy the deepest craving of our souls!

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, my soul is hungry for your Word. Feed me with the Bread of Life so that I would live with you forever. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• How many times do you eat every day? Why do we need to eat so often?
• What happens when you “eat” God’s Word daily?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Name a couple of ways that God provides for our bodies.
• Name a couple of ways that God provides for our souls.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Evaluate recent prayers you’ve prayed to God. How many were about something you wanted for your life vs. something you wanted for your soul?
• Discuss how your family can better feed on Jesus, the Bread of Life, together.