Article: Manna – Bread of Life | Debra Wainwright

Manna – Exodus 16
Man doesn’t live by bread alone – Deut 8:3
Bread from heaven – manna – John 6:31, 49.
True bread from heaven – John 6:32, 50
Bread of God – John 6:33
Bread of Life – John 6:35, 48
Living Bread – John 6:51
These Words are spirit and life – John 6:63

Manna = a miraculous edible substance that fell from heaven, sent by God to sustain the natural life of Israel in the wilderness. It was “bread” [food] from heaven. “Bread” is also “food” in Hebrew language.

The miracle of the manna in the wilderness fell from heaven daily, except for the Sabbath day of rest. They couldn’t be greedy and take more than their share, because it would spoil overnight. On Friday, God would send a double portion for the Sabbath, which didn’t spoil overnight, so they could rest and eat, to be nourished and strengthened on the Sabbath day.

God was testing Israel, teaching them to trust and obey Him for their daily provision, requiring total reliance on Him by faith in His Word. In John 1:1, Jesus was in the beginning, as the Word who was with God and was God. And John 1:14 says, Jesus is the Word made flesh. When we believe His Words, they become flesh in us. In Deut 8:3, Moses said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but man lives by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD”.

In John 6:32-51, Jesus identifies himself as the “true bread from heaven,” in contrast to the perishable temporary manna provided in the wilderness – for 40 years. It sustained natural life to natural death. Jesus is the true living bread – the spiritual bread of the Word of God – made alive by the Spirit of God – to sustain eternal spiritual life.

Jesus said, in John 6:32-33, “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven, for the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world”. In verse 35, Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life, He who comes to me will never hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst”. And v.47, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” And again in v.48, “I am the bread of life”.

Jesus explained in v.63, “It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and life”. His words are not literal. He is not literal bread and doesn’t become literal bread. He is spiritual “bread” – Word of God – made flesh – alive by the Spirit of God. He is spiritual sustenance. He is the essential source of spiritual strength and nourishment for eternal life.

Debra Wainwright

- Advertisement -