A Time of Reflection ... and Bread

  After my last post in January, I had a family member become very ill and shortly thereafter pass away.  Then COVID-19 showed up.  It is safe to say these last new months have been extremely trying.

 During "the great toilet paper and bread shortage" that occurred at the onset of the our nation-wide shut down, I had to experiment with making bread again, which I haven't done in a very long time. It wasn't the greatest bread of all time (I had to improvise on some ingredients due to the shortage of resources), but it was edible, and the loaves helped my household get through until our local store could be restocked.

 Whenever I make bread it always reminds me of Jesus referring to himself as "the bread of life." In fact, bread is mentioned more than 400 times in the Bible in various applications. 

Bread is also a universally recognized food source in almost every culture on the planet, thus making it something to which almost everyone can relate.  Perhaps this is why Jesus so closely aligned his presence to "bread"--life giving, life sustaining, daily intake, etc.

 With everything that is going on in our world right now, I think it only fitting to think about bread.

 

John 6:51: I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

 

Luke 22:19: And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

 

Acts 2:42: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

1 Corinthians 5:8: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

 

 

 When you have your daily bread, do you take a moment to remember Jesus? Do you think about what he did for you through his sacrifice?  Do you remember that he called each of us to share the Good News of his death and resurrection?  

I ask these questions to myself as much as I ask them to you.