I’m pretty sure God did not have low-carb in mind when He created me. He certainly didn’t have it in mind when He sent me to the Middle East. With numerous bakeries in each neighborhood and a bread cabinet at every corner store in our city, bread is literally all around us. Most people eat it with every meal. The bakery is often their first stop on the way to work and their last stop on the way home.
This year I tried LOWER-carb eating—instead of low-carb, because progress is what counts, right? My biggest problem is that the bread here, in all its glory, is SO GOOD. Flatbread with sesame seeds, multi-grain bread with flaxseed, even basic Turkish white bread is delicious.
So it’s easy for me to relate to Jesus’ words, “I am the Bread of Life,” because for many people here bread is life.
This Advent season, let’s celebrate the Bread of Life who came down from heaven.
Bread is life because it feeds, energizes, and sustains us. It satisfies hunger. Where I live, it’s cheap and readily available. Especially for the poor, bread is literally life.
Jesus is the Bread of Life who feeds, empowers, and sustains us.
Jesus satisfies. He satisfied our need for a savior when He shed His blood to pay for our sins.
He satisfies our needs for love and significance. And He was so sure of this that He gave us a promise: “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35b).
Jesus empowers and sustains. Where we’re weak and wanting, His Holy Spirit supplies the strength and resources we need. When we doubt, His Word sustains our faith.
The disciples were hungry when they said, “Sir, always give us this bread” (John 6:34). The woman at the well was thirsty, so she said, “Sir, give me this water.” (John 4:15a). We’re not so different from them, are we? We have needs only Jesus can fill.
But He calls us to do two things: “Come…and Believe.”
Come to Me
When we come to Jesus each day, He feeds our faith and strengthens our souls. We encounter the Living Word in His Written Word as we read scripture. When we draw near to Him in prayer, He draws near to us.
Morning or evening, we can come. And throughout the day we can come again and again:
- As we listen to a favorite worship song on the way to work.
- When we stop to pray one sentence at a traffic light.
- If we give thanks for the beauty of a tree, flower, or snow on the ground.
- When we pray, “Jesus, help!” during a moment of overwhelm.
Believe:
I believe Immanuel has come, but do I really believe He’s here with me now? Even when I don’t, I choose to pray, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 ) I choose to believe He hears and sees me. I choose to trust He loves me. And even when things don’t look good, I believe He’s working them together for my good. I choose to trust and stand on His promises.
How about taking a few moments each day during Advent to draw near to the Bread of Life? Will you stop and pray with me? Lord Jesus, I come to You and I believe.
This post is part of an Advent series on the “I am” statements of Jesus. Here are other posts you may have missed:
When You Want More of Jesus in December – Intro to series
When You Hope for More Light in Your Life – “I am the Light of the World”
If you’d like fresh servings of Faith Spilling Over delivered weekly to your inbox, enter your e-mail address in the box in the sidebar. I’d love to send you my free guide, 10 Days to More. You’ll find 10 ways to study and engage with God’s Word.
Linking up with Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, Salt and Light with Alisa Nicaud, Lyli Dunbar’s #FaithonFire, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
Betsy,
I love how Jesus used stories and everyday symbols that the people could relate to. Bread was and still is a staple of life in the Middle East. Therefore, talking about Jesus being the bread of life was really saying something about how He sustains. If Jesus first spoke to western, American culture, I’m not sure what He would have likened himself to?? A thick, juicy angus, beef cheeseburger?? All kidding aside, I want to….I need to draw near to the One who sustains me. Advent is Jesus’ reminder that He is coming and He bids me to come too.
Advent blessings,
Bev xx
May He sustain you as you draw near to Him during this season, Bev. Yes, He bids us to come!
The struggle is real — I love bread, too, and it is such a great picture of our Savior. I was reminded yesterday that Bethlehem means “house of bread,” and all this tied in with the prophecies of Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem gives me so much to appreciate in my pondering of Advent truth!
Thanks, Betsy, for putting Gospel truth on display here!
Wow, I didn’t know about the “house of bread!” I’d never heard that before. So interesting.
I’m positive God didn’t have low-carb in mind with me either, Betsy! Carbs produce serotonin, and I need all I can get since apparently my body doesn’t produce enough on its own. My mood is off when I don’t get enough carbs, but one piece of whole grain bread comforts and soothes me. That’s exactly what time alone with God, a call or visit with a Christian friend, or an hour of reading a Christian book does for me. Merry Christmas to you, friend!
I didn’t know carbs produce serotonin, Sarah. I’m learning all kinds of things from the comments today. Interesting the link between the effect of bread and those other things you mention. 🙂
As Michelle mentioned above, I so love the connection that Jesus was born in Bethlehem — the House of Bread. That’s one of those “nuggets” I came across somewhere in our Jesse Tree advent studies and I love being reminded of the fact each year.
I didn’t know that about Bethlehem, LaNette! Thought-provoking, isn’t it? I’m hanging our ornaments on our Jesse tree as well. I don’t read the scripture to go along with it every day, just some days. I’m reading through Mark right now, so I read the other Jesse tree scripture when I have time.
God did NOT have low-carb in mind when he made me either!!!!! Thanks for the laugh – and the nourishment! You are always full of wisdom (and maybe a few carbs – but so am I)! <3
Thanks for making me smile, friend. I guess we have some things in common!
I love that verse, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” because it is so us. Man, I want to have strong faith and then God brings me to the next new thing and I’m there all over again, reassuring myself that God is faithful. Good words this advent. xoxo
Yes! That is SO US! I love that prayer too.
I like bread too much as well! It is a great image to describe how important Jesus is and how we need to be filled with him each day.
Yes, it is, Lesley. I never thought about it so much as when I was writing this. 🙂
Dear Betsy, what an encouraging and comforting post! For me, the hardest part is that I forget that Jesus is in for the long haul, longing to sustain us. What a gift that He wants to be a resident in our lives, not just a visitor. Blessings on you and yours during this Advent and Christmas season!
Thank you, Alice! I like remembering that He’s with us for the long haul. Blessings to you too!
Betsy, hello! Fresh baked bread. Oh my … you’re speaking my language, girl!
But Jesus? He always satisfies, fills. Feeds the deepest parts of who we are. Thanks for leading us always to His loving heart.
Advent blessings from my heart to yours …
Yes, He feeds the deepest part of us, Linda. Blessings to you and your family!
I know there are greater spiritual lessons at hand, but I have to say, now I really want to make a loaf of this great crusty bread I like so much! 😉 Blessings, my friend!
Enjoy your bread! And Merry Christmas to you!
I hope I never have to give up carbs; I’d be in such trouble. lol. But thankfully I know we’ll never have to give up the Bread of Life! Thanks for sharing this Betsy. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Thank you so much, Lisa. You too! Yes, it’s hard to forgo those carbs!