I find it almost unbelievable that our grandson, not yet two years old, loves home made bread and butter. In my experience, most children turn their noses up at anything but white bread – I certainly did when I was at school.
In the first of the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness, he had been fasting and was hungry so the devil urged him to prove his miraculous powers by turning stones into bread that he could eat. Jesus’s retort to his tempter was, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’ (Matthew 4 v 4). Jesus quoted from the Old Testament where Moses explained God’s use of manna as food for the weary Israelites: ‘ He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord’. (Deuteronomy 8:3).
This lesson can be interpreted in several ways in our time. For me it is a reminder that God’s provision of our needs alone is not the point. This is a reminder that how God teaches us to live in reliance on him for our purpose, our direction, our health and strength, our sustenance and ultimately our salvation is a complete package. The New Covenant makes this clearer still, based as and sealed by the broken body (bread) and shed blood (wine) of the Word made flesh.
If we have bread on our tables, we given thanks that we will not starve today. For many of us who have never known life threatening hunger it is easy to be superficial in our gratitude. Those who live harsh lives and who do face empty plates understand better what gratitude should look like. For us all, the big question is, ‘am I getting enough of the bread of life’ to sustain my spiritual health.
A Prayer
Lord, when I eat my food help me to be grateful but not content until I have absorbed your word in all its fulsome meaning. Keep me hungry for your truth and never complacent with my lot. May I have strength to turn my back on temptation and the wisdom to trust you. Amen.