We ought to be what we eat (Tuesday, Easter 3, 2021)

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Jesus’ miracle of the multiplication of loaves for the five thousand as recorded by John was not performed just to satisfy physical hunger. In fact, the entire chapter six of the gospel account of John is all about the Bread of Life discourse which began with the miracle of the multiplication of loaves. As John has it, it was a sign which ultimately points to Jesus the True Bread of Life. In John 6:30-35, as the discourse builds up, we come to a point where Jesus told the people that “His Father gives the true bread from heaven, the bread which gives life to the world”.


Having strongly stimulated their curiosity, the people requested, “Lord, give us this bread always”. In response to this request, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall not thirst”. The discourse has now taken another dimension: moving from Jesus’ miraculous provision of the physical bread to the establishment of the fact that He is the Bread of Life. Our attention should also move from the “sign” to the “reality”: the sign is the miracle of the multiplication of loaves; the reality is Jesus Himself.


If we are to think of what food does to the body, we will better understand what Jesus means when He says that He is the Bread of Life. We are what we eat. As often as we consume sugar, we must be ready to welcome sugar-related health issues. As often as we drink alcohol, we must not be surprised if we end up becoming alcoholics. As often as we consume energy-giving food, we will not lack calories. The point of the matter is that as often as we savor Jesus the Bread of Life, the end result should be that we become what we eat: we should have the Spirit of Christ; we should be as Christ-like as ever. Those of us in the mainstream churches celebrate the Communion Service. Christians boast of being fed with the words and life of Christ as they read their scriptures. But regrettably, many of us behave and talk as if we have never known Jesus, not to talk of having His Spirit.


Stephen, a man filled with the Spirit of Christ, was stoned to death for his testimony to Christ. As he was about to die, he prayed that God may receive His Spirit; kneeling down and crying out with a loud voice, he also prayed for his persecutors, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (cf. Acts 7:59-60). This is a man who understood what it means to be fed with Christ and to be filled with the Spirit of Christ. He forgave those who killed him as Christ did. How many of us can even lift up our hands, minds and heart to pray for our so-called "enemies" and wish them well?


Prayer:

Jesus, as often as I communicate with you, fill me with Your Essence; may I never lack Your Spirit, Amen!


Have a blessed day!



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