January 21 A Sabbath Blessing

John 6:44-50 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.”
 
AS the Lord has arranged it, this comes to you on a Sabbath Day. This is a good day to consider your Lord’s eternal teachings.
   This passage includes for the third and fourth times in John 6 Jesus saying, “I am the bread of life.” And a second time he is “the bread that comes down from heaven.” Jesus’ bread metaphor is to teach he is the eternal food for all in the world who believe.
   As you go to church or consider you are the church of Jesus Christ today, think of people around the globe doing the same thing. Know that the Bread of Life is feeding you and millions of people throughout the nations. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father has spoken to you. Heaven’s Word has come down to you. The Father has drawn you and countless others to the Son to be the church. This, my friend, means you are participating now and forevermore in the miracle of everlasting life.
   Savor this truth: As a Christian, the Father, Spirit and Son have fed you the Bread of Life. Your soul will live in heaven, and you will never be hungry, thirsty and in need. The Word became flesh: “(I) prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. (I) anoint (your) head with oil; (your) cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5) Yes, the Father has invited you to, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalms 34:8) In joy, you can always know, “There remains, then, a Sabbath – rest for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9)
   I pray as you, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8), you will see Jesus’ church as God’s Bread of Life come down from heaven to you. And I hope you remember his gift is to be used to his glory. Participate in your church’s worship. Pray for your church’s leaders. Proclaim your church’s good news message to your community. Produce good work for your church, so it will be secure. Provide for your church’s funds to feed the bread of life near and far.
   Remember Jesus, the Bread of Life, on this Sabbath. He is the Lord of the Sabbath, the testimony of God the Father, Son and Spirit to feed you forevermore.
 
Prayer: I pause to think of you today, God, and I rejoice you have so lovingly fed me the Bread of Life. Amen.