Bread of Life

 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

—Matthew 4:4

A familiar hymn, written by an anonymous author in 1661 and often sung during Holy Communion, includes these lyrics:

O Bread of Life from heaven,
To saints and angels given;
O manna from above!
The souls that hunger, feed Thou,
The hearts that seek Thee, lead Thou,
With Thy sweet, tender love.

O fount of grace redeeming,
O river ever streaming
From Jesus’ holy side!
Come Thou, Thyself bestowing
On thirsting souls, and flowing
Till all are satisfied.

We love You, Jesus, tender,
In all Your hidden splendor
Within these means of grace.
Oh, let the veil be riven,
And our clear eye in Heaven
Behold Your glory face to face.

The longing expressed in this hymn parallels the very words Jesus spoke, as recorded in Matthew 4:4:

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

God’s Word—both the Living Word, Jesus, and the written Word, the Bible—offers sustenance for our needy and hungry souls. As we begin another day, let’s take time to feed on God’s Word today.

We can spend time reading the Bible and, thus, devour the written Word. We can spend time in prayer and thus feed on the Living Word, as our Savior hears our conversation with Him and acts graciously on our behalf.

How blessed we are to be so loved by God.

 

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