Pastor's Page

July & August 2019

Hunger is a grim reality of life. We see pictures on television and the internet, and they tear at our hearts.  People need bread for their physical existence.  It is the basic stuff of life.  Jesus knew that.  But when he said, “I am the bread of life,” he was talking about something much more than food for the stomach.  During his temptation experience with Satan he said, “Man does not live by bread alone,” and that is oh so true!  What physical bread is for our bodies, Jesus is for our hungry, aching hearts. He fills the emptiness of our souls, and he does this in three distinct ways:

Jesus comes to save us from all that seeks to destroy us and cripple our lives. The basic cause of our heartache is separation from God, who made us to “glorify God and enjoy God forever.” Augustine wrote, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Christ!”

We have a need to be loved, forgiven, and accepted.  Only God can do that.  That is why he came in Jesus.  Sin causes separation, but Jesus came to bring reconciliation.  He saves us from the many fears that afflict us as we are in a right relationship with him.

But Jesus also satisfies us.  Many of our heartaches are caused by stifled needs.  Think of the basic needs we all have – the need for love, affection, fulfillment, success, approval, recognition, a sense of usefulness, financial security, and material possessions.  These are common in life.

But all of these run the danger of being substitutes for a relationship with God.  We are never fully satisfied until we are willing to allow Christ to feed our needs.  When we get right with God at the core of our ambitious, acquisitive natures, then we can see our temporary needs in perspective.  No human being can meet our deepest needs.  No position, no recognition, no financial security can fill our emptiness.

Jesus also strengthens us.  The task of following Jesus is difficult.  If we had only our own strength to rely on, the task would be impossible.  But the testimony of faith, given in the church though the ages, is that Christ strengthens us when we seek to do God’s will!

So this summer, let us feast on “the bread of life,” that can fill our empty souls.  For only  Christ can truly; save us, satisfy us, and strengthen us in our daily lives so that we can share “the bread of life” with a hungry world!

Buddy