Breaking Bread

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

– John 6:35

If you're like many people, some of your fondest memories involve food. You might remember Christmas dinner with family whenever you taste roast turkey, stuffing, and green beans. That unmistakable scent of hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy could take you back decades to a baseball game or your first state fair. And maybe the sight of a homemade apple pie reminds you of the ones your grandmother used to bake when you'd come for a weekend visit.

Yes, food holds a powerful place in our lives. And it’s not just because we need it to survive. There's something special — even joyful — about sharing a good meal with family and friends. As Christ-followers, we remember our Savior's sacrificial death through Communion: a symbolic meal of bread and grape juice that reminds us of the last supper he shared with his closest followers. The bread and juice represent how Jesus’ body was broken and his blood was shed for us.

While we're considering food and its spiritual significance, did you know there's a simple recipe for cooking up a joy-filled, Christ-centered life? The Bible tells us it's one part unity with other Christ-followers mixed with a measure of regular prayer. Then blend it well with a helping of discernment: the ongoing intentional functions of living, thinking, and acting constructively. It's all about habitually looking for the good and dwelling on the positive.

When our lives are joy-filled and Christ-centered, we can stomach even the most unpleasant of circumstances. The apostle Paul exemplified this truth by spending years in prison chained to his guards … and all while under the constant threat of death. But he always prayed thankfully. And by writing much of what we call today the New Testament, Paul used the situation to change the lives of his fellow prisoners, his jailers, plus millions of believers over the centuries who’d put their faith in Jesus.

So, are you hungry for a tasty slice of joy in your life? 

If you haven't already done so, the first step is to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Those who grasp this opportunity become the ones he calls the Salt of the Earth: those special people whose distinct flavor makes all the difference to an otherwise bland world that's lacking meaning and hope.