Lazarevic Ministries

The identity of Jesus as God is glorious. His identity as a man is a fulfillment of prophecy. But His identity as nourishment is intriguing.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often prioritize physical sustenance without giving much thought to our spiritual nourishment. We diligently plan our meals, ensuring that we consume the nutrients necessary to sustain our bodies. Yet, how often do we pause to consider the importance of consuming Jesus daily, the way we consume food?

In the Gospels, Jesus frequently used metaphors to convey profound spiritual truths, likening Himself to nourishment for the soul. Let’s delve into five such instances where Jesus compared Himself to vital sustenance:

1. The Bread of Life: In John 6:35, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.” Just as bread nourishes and satisfies our physical hunger, Jesus nourishes our souls, providing sustenance that satisfies our deepest longings.
2. Living Water: Jesus proclaimed in John 4:14, “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Here, Jesus likens Himself to living water, which quenches our spiritual thirst and replenishes our souls, leading to eternal life.
3. Daily Bread: In Matthew 6:11, as part of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” While this petition encompasses our physical needs, it also symbolizes our dependence on Jesus for daily sustenance, both spiritually and physically.
4. The True Vine: Jesus illustrates our connection to Him as essential for spiritual nourishment in John 15:5, stating, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” Just as branches draw nourishment from the vine, we derive spiritual sustenance from our union with Christ.
5. The Bread and Wine: During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the sacrament of communion, instructing His disciples to partake of the bread and wine, symbolizing His body and blood given for them (Matthew 26:26-28). Through this act, Jesus emphasized the importance of continually partaking of Him, our ultimate source of spiritual nourishment.

Just as we prioritize consuming physical food daily to sustain our bodies, we must prioritize consuming Jesus daily to sustain our souls. Neglecting our spiritual nourishment leads to spiritual malnourishment, leaving us spiritually weak and vulnerable.

Let us heed Jesus’ invitation to partake of Him daily, finding our fulfillment and sustenance in Him alone. As we consume Jesus through prayer, meditation on His word, fellowship with other believers, and participation in the sacraments, may we experience the abundant life He promises to those who feed on Him.