I AM The Bread of Life

THE BREAD OF LIFE
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Introduction
“I am the bread of life” is a popular statement among Christians that depicts the episode of Jesus when he fed the multitude of followers. The episode details the life of Jesus and his power as it appears in the Gospel of John 6:22-59. The statement or phrase has immense significance to Christians and religious leaders in the world. It gives them hope for the future and affirmation that they serve a living God. The episode also affirms that they have a true provider that is always standing by their side. The bread of life means according to some translation, the provider of life, the redeemer and the way to God. It shows the power of God that is beyond reproach and the influence of God in the spiritual development of humanity.
According to, Gods power is real and effective. He uses his power when necessary and appropriate to protect and secure his people. This happens in times of need, sorrow, and happiness. For instance, the events preceding the episode that is termed the bread of life is a true manifestation of God’s concern for the welfare of his disciples. They were suffering from hunger at a time when ordinarily food was not available that could serve them all. Jesus through his father multiplied the food, and everyone got satisfied in the multitude. This paper provides in-depth information about the phrase bread of life that depicts Jesus mighty power while on earth. It covers the events that surround the statement, how it relates to God as revealed in the Old Testament and how the statement reveals the power or deity of Christ.

The bread of life
As noted by, the bread of life is based on a biblical episode that is revealed after the feeding of the multitude who was listening to the teachings of Jesus. The episode takes place in the book of John with specific reference to verse 6:35. Jesus used the phrase to show Gods mighty power and instill strong belief in the God. The phrase teaches Christians the power of believing and trusting in God, as he is the true provider. When we trust and believe in him, he will always provide for the unending needs of human beings. This is evident as Jesus said to them “I am the bread of life and whoever comes to me will never lack or be hungry.” The power of God is depicted in the statement to help the crowd know that hunger is temporary and that the word lives forever.
The event that surrounds the statement
Notably, the statement “I am the bread of life” was issued after the feeding of the multitude of followers who were being taught by the disciples and Jesus. After a period, the followers became hungry, and they could hardly listen to the teachings of the Lord anymore. Their discomfort was highly concerning to the disciples who started to worry so much how the multitude could be fed yet they had no food. The disciples went to Jesus and told him Rabbii the multitude is hungry, and we have not enough food to feed them. Jesus looked up and then, asked what they had. At the time what was available were only two fish and five loaves of bread. Jesus told them to bring the food that were available.
The disciples presented the food before Jesus, who then prayed asking his father to provide enough for his children. The food multiplied and a crowd of over 5000 people ate and got satisfied with over 12 baskets of leftovers being recorded. This real miracle surprised many in the multitude. They asked how this happened and if they can be given such powers for them not to go hungry. Jesus told them that the provision of the food was not because of Moses’s power but the power of my father who gives abundantly from heaven. He is the provider of the true bread and whoever believes in him shall never lack. Jesus said unto them that if you do not want to run dry, trust and believe in the Lord, and all shall be added unto you. You will not experience hunger, face disease challenges and thirst. The teaching here is that the true bread comes from heaven, and it is given by God himself to lite the world. What Christians need is to come to Jesus.
How the statement relates to God as revealed in the Old Testament,
The statement I am the bread of life relates to God in several ways. The first relation is that it depicts Gods power and superiority over everything on earth. The unmatched power is evident based on the miracle he performed by multiplying two fish and five loaves of bread to serve a huge multitude of followers of Christ. It took his mighty power for the little food to satisfy over 5000 followers. The episode shows that God has power over nature as the food was multiplied upon issuance of a command that saw everything change.
Likewise, the statement affirms Gods position as the provider of life as contained in the Old Testament and, in John 6:35, John 8:12 among other verses. According to the Old Testament God brought Israelites back to life by rescuing them from the bondage of the Egyptians. Jesus affirmed to the multitude that God is the giver of life and what is needed from them is to come to him and believe. Once they do this, they will know peace from God and receive life just as they gained life after eating the food of the flesh that was multiplied through God’s intervention.
The statement also shows that God is the light of the world as presented in the Old Testament. He showered Moses, Elisha and Abraham with immense light that transformed their lives including that of the followers. Notably, one can only have the light of the world when they experience the joy of the bread of life. Without this, there are high chances of one fading away. As Jesus told the followers that whoever believes will never go hungry and will never walk in darkness, bread of life determines the nature of light one encounter. Therefore, God is a powerful being who determines the nature of light in the individual’s world. Additionally, the statement reveals God’s nature as the way, the truth and the life.
How the statement reveal the deity of Christ
The statement “I am the bread of life” reveals the divine nature of Christ and his willingness to restore life. The divinity of Jesus is evident as he shows concern and his holy power that transforms. This was evident in the discourse that followed the feeding of the starving followers. He told the multitude that the holy food is the best for them instead of the physical food that spoils. His divinity is shown as he emphasizes the need for the followers to trust and believe in the Lord. He also affirms that he is the way to eternal life and the father. The revelations show clearly his divine power and ability given that holiness characterizes the way to life.
Similarly, many scriptures, laments, and passages affirm, assert and approve Christ divinity. The scriptures include Psalms 2:7, 12 that reveals him as the son of God, Psalms 110:1 that declares him the Lord and Isaiah 9:6 that speaks of him as a God. Other scriptures also describe him as the divine word that lightens the world and give life including hope. The highlighted aspects reveal the deity nature of Christ based on the statement “I am the bread of life.” He achieves his miracles and guide God’s children through the holy divinity. In the episode, it is only through the divine power that the available 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread were able to multiply and satisfy the whole multitude.
Conclusion
It is imperative to conclude that “I am the bread of life” is a statement that has transformed the perception of Jesus and God’s power among many individuals. The statement re-affirms Gods divinity, caring nature, unending love, redeeming power. He provides life and remains the true source of light that brightens up the world.
Bibliography
Byars, Ronald P. The Bread of Life: A Guide to the Lord’s Supper for Presbyterians. (Louisville, Ky: Geneva Press, 2005), 2.
Morris, Leon. Jesus Is the Christ: Studies in the Theology of John. (Grand Rapids, Mich: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co, 1989), 5-87.
Naggar, Adel. The “I AM” Sayings Prove Jesus to be Divine. (23rd Feb. 2005) http://wri.leaderu.com/pages/iamsayin.html
“RESURRECTION.” Kirkus Reviews, no. 3 (Feb 01, 1994), http://search.proquest.com/docview/917194851?accountid=130654.
Toolan, Suzanne, and Elizabeth Dossa. I Am the Bread of Life: Insights and Wisdom from One of Catholicism’s Most Beloved Musicians. (New York: Crossroad Pub. Co, 2007), 1-98.
Towns, Elmer L. The Gospel of John: Believe and Live. (Chattanooga, TN.: AMG Publishers, 2002), 3-121.