“Jesus said, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) (Deuteronomy 8:3)
Since the Green Revolution of the 1950’s and 60’s, when wheat hybrids were created to resist disease and improve yields, bread has been more available than ever before, and yet, there are still many in the world who hunger. But there is a hunger even worse than this; greater is the hunger and thirst of our souls. God’s Word teaches us that spiritual hunger is greater than physical because spiritual hunger impacts people of every socioeconomic status and leads not only to physical death but eternal death. (Romans 6:23) Do we have peace; do we have assurance? Do we have all that we need for our body and life? We may have easter access to food but people are searching for these today just as eagerly as any other point in history. People want a truth that doesn’t change and want something they can always count on. They want a food that lasts longer than the bread on their tables and a water that is purer than any water found on earth.
All of these are found in Jesus Christ and His Word alone. Spiritual food is provided by Jesus and with it He addresses our world’s hunger. His Word provides the spiritual nourishment every person on earth is lacking. He alone is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) He provides us the food that has no expiration date and provides us shelter that can never be taken away by storm or by any other adversary.
He is the Good Shepherd, who laid down His holy life for sheep who loved to wander. (Isaiah 53:6) His life purchased forgiveness and salvation to all who believe on Him and because it was the life of God’s Son, we know it stands forever. He makes [us] lie down in green pastures and leads [us] beside the still waters, He restores [our] soul. (Psalm 23:2) He feeds us the Word that comes from the mouth of God and this food gives us eternal life. His given body and shed blood feeds us the food of immortality, the bread of life, Jesus Christ Himself!
We pray; O Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of the sheep, who came to seek the lost and to gather them into Your fold: Have compassion on those who have wandered from You; feed those who hunger, cause the weary to lie down in Your pastures, bind up those who are broken in heart, and strengthen those who are weak; and lead us all, O Lord, in the paths of righteousness, for Your name’s sake. Amen.
Rev. Colin Anderson
First Lutheran Church (ELS), Suttons Bay, MI Soli Deo Gloria
