As we were worshiping through communion this week, I found myself thinking . . .  Honestly, the first thought came to me as I was looking at the bread–I thought, “I wonder how many people touched this bread already” Thank you to all our communion preparers (you did wash your hands, didn’t you?), your ministry is a blessing to all of us!  My second thought, though perhaps no more profound, was certainly more spiritual.

I recalled Jesus’ words we studied three weeks ago: I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you (John 6:53); Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life . . . (John 6:54);  For My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink.  Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me and I in him (John 6:55-56).  I am the bread of life. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry again. Those who beleive in Me will never thirst (John 6:35).

As I’m writing this, I just came back from Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que, where my physical hunger was filled (okay, maybe “stuffed” is more accurate) and my thirst quenched (God bless them, they have sweet iced tea!).  But what about my spiritual hunger and thirst–did I get it filled and quenched today?  Did you? 

After eating lunch today, I was already thinking about what I am going to eat for dinner tonight. I’ll be hungry again soon–and I know it.  How about you, are you hungry? Are you thirsty?  I mean spiritually . . .    In worship this morning I was thinking about my spiritual hunger and thirst and how Jesus said He fills my hunger and quenches my thirst.  And I realized that I think a lot more about my physical hunger and thirst than about the spiritual. Am I alone?  Yet Jesus pointed out which was really more significant.  My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink (John 6:55).  We need the spiritual nourishment that only Jesus provides, and we need it as much, if not more, than the physical nourishment that we crave. 

As we took communion together today, this was my prayer: Jesus, You are the Bread of Life and You are Living Water.  Nourish me so that I might grow strong and healthy. And help me to hunger and thirst for you that I might be filled.  I challenge you, make it your prayer. And remember, there’s no counting calories with the Bread of Life. Eat as much as you like.

Bon appetit

pastor greg