And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. (Exodus 16:14,15 ESV)
Manna
When Jesus says that He is the bread of life (John 6:35) He is not referring to the kind of bread we eat. He is not white bread, banana bread, raisin bread, whole wheat bread, or sourdough bread.
He is manna.
The Israelites traveling through a wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land were in terrible danger of starvation. And while there IS some sustenance available in desert environments, there is not enough for the thousands of Israelites to sustain life. Half a dozen, maybe… but not the entire people of God.
So, God miraculously, six days out of seven, miraculously sent them manna. It showed up as the morning dew left.
The people still needed to harvest manna every day.
The manna needed to be renewed every morning.
The manna was surprisingly sufficient.
And it seems that it was pleasant. When the Israelites tasted it, they exclaimed, “What is this???” Not in shock that it existed, or they would have wondered when they saw it. But rather, it tasted great!
Our Jesus is the manna of life. He is given to His people like manna. We need Him every day. Our relationship with Him can not endure coasting. He is all we need.
And He is pleasant! His blessings abound.
Jesus is the bread of life.