Christ Church Daily Devotion Dec 14 2023

The crowd followed Jesus because they wanted more food, but Jesus told them they needed more than just physical food. He said he is the bread of life and whoever believes in him will never be hungry or thirsty. We should focus on God and share the bread of eternal life with others. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for December 14, 2023. Today we will be reading from John chapter 6, verses 22 through 27. For the next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but they had gone away with him. When some boats from Iberius landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks, once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, Rabbi, when did you get here? Jesus answered, Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. A glance back to the beginning of John chapter 6 reveals a crowd of people who had eaten a grand feast provided by Jesus himself. There was so much food left over that the disciples gathered twelve baskets full after the meal. The crowd followed Jesus in the hope of receiving another satisfying meal, but Jesus told them they needed more than just physical food. They needed to focus on God, give God thanks, and look to God for direction in their spiritual lives. How can that happen? Jesus says, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. That's a miracle that will last much longer than feeding five thousand people with a little supply of food. Today, regardless of all that we have, we need to be sure that we have consumed the bread of eternal life by receiving the gift of salvation through Jesus. We must have the love of Jesus in our hearts and be willing to share this bread with people around us. There are still so many who are hungry for eternal life. Will you help feed them? Today's personal worship option, thank you God for sending Jesus to us so that we can have the bread that gives us eternal life.