THE SET UP: In the Old Testament book of Exodus, we read the account of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Led by Moses and with God’s miraculous signs, they were leaving behind 430 of slavery in Egypt. They were headed toward a land that God had promised them, but the journey would take them through some barren lands. One of the first obstacles they faced in the wilderness was the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian armies closing in behind them. God miraculously parted the sea, allowing them to walk across on dry land with the sea closing after them, drowning their pursuers.
You would think that being freed from Egyptian slavery and walking through the middle of a sea on dry ground would have cemented Israel’s faith in God and Moses. Well, it did. For about twenty-four hours. Then they began murmuring and complaining, wanting to return to Egypt to get food. The idea that God would provide for them in the desert was unbelievable to them. But God did provide for them. Every day, they received fresh bread from heaven they called manna. God literally gave them their daily bread. In Psalm 78:24-25, it’s described this way: “He [God] rained down manna for them to eat; he gave them bread from heaven. They ate the food of angels! God gave them all they could hold.”
Hundreds and hundreds of years later, Jesus would be born in a town called Bethlehem, which literally means, “House of Bread.” He would quote the Old Testament passage, “Man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” And about himself, he would say, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35)
As you anticipate Christmas, be reminded that God knows exactly what you need today. As he provided bread in the wilderness for Israel, and as Jesus promised to satisfy our spiritual appetite forever, he will provide what you need today.
PASSAGE TO READ: Exodus 16, John 6:22-42
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
· When you read the account of Israel and the manna God provided in Exodus 16, what sticks out to you in the story?
· What do you think Jesus means when he says he is the bread of life?
· When you pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” what does that mean to you? What are you praying for?
PRAYER: “Give us this day our daily bread.”