This Sunday and the Bread of Life!

I will defend to the death my theory that the most perfect food, the one item that provides nourishment for body, mind, and spirit is a toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwich! I have felt that way for as long as I can remember. I still recall as a young boy the joy I would feel when my mom would lay that sandwich in front of me.

I always liked lots of crunchy peanut butter and jelly! Even to this day, when I’m feeling a little down, homesick for heaven, when I just want a snack, or when I’m having lunch by myself, nothing satisfies the hunger of the body or lifts my spirit like a toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwich! It’s a complete meal. The peanuts and the whole wheat bread have all that protein and amino acids that the body needs. And the fruit in the jelly provides everything you need from that food group. Add a glass of milk, and you’ve got all the basic food groups covered. :>)

Did you know Jesus loved to eat? He was often breaking bread and hanging out with people. So, if you are like me and love to eat, you are in good company.
Meals fill our stomach and reveal our identity. The food we prepare can also mend or strengthen a relationship. I recently heard of a newhoper in North Raleigh preparing a freshly baked Apple Pie and taking it to a neighbor. The following week, the recipient of the pie showed up at the Small Group she was invited to when given the pie! How cool is that?!

In the Bible, offering food is also a way to heal differences, or to honor someone. Remember when the prodigal son returned home, how his father ordered a big feast to be served to celebrate the return of his son? And after the resurrection, the breakfast of bread and fish that Jesus shared with His disciples by the Sea of Galilee was a meal of reconciliation with Peter and the others who had denied Jesus in other ways.

Bread was the biblical metaphor because that was the staple, basic, bottom-line food source of Jesus’ day. If Jesus had been from Eastern Asia, it would have been rice. Is Jesus had been from Malaysia, it would have been sweet potatoes, and Holy Communion would have been a little messy. :>)

Throughout the gospels, food always has a double meaning. Jesus frequently spoke of eating and drinking in connection with the satisfaction of spiritual needs. When Jesus talked about fish and bread, there was always a spiritual significance to His remarks. This Sunday, we will marvel at an amazing story in Matthew 14 as we continue the series, “Jesus Did What?” With this miracle, Jesus feeds over five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two stinkin fish! Can you say, “Jesus Did What?”

Come join us Sunday at newhope at any of our three services. (8:45, 10:15, and 11:45 am) If you have been in church on Sunday or at Encounter lately, you know God is up to something special these days! Invite your friend(s) and come ready to look beyond the physical hunger that was satisfied that day and examine the spiritual aspects of the story. In doing so, I am hopeful our souls will feast on Jesus, the ultimate “bread of life”.

Have a great weekend - I can't wait to see you Sunday.