Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from Leviticus Chapter 26 verse 5, “You shall eat your bread to the full, and live securely in your land,” (NRSVB). Old Testament scholars teach that the Book of Leviticus was given to the Israelites in their year long encampment at Mount Sinai. God instructed them on holy living and obeying the commands by loving God and the neighbour, thus receiving the promises of the covenant. As the Ark was built, and set amongst the Israelites, God promised that “I will set My dwelling in and among you, and My soul shall not reject or separate itself from you,” Leviticus 26 verse 11, (Amplified Bible). The new life that was to be enjoyed in the Promised Land was a life filled with peace and abundance. Wine and bread are made from harvesting and preparing fruit of the vine and wheat from the crops. These are not products that can be made in haste, it needs time to be cultivated and prepared. Israel will be given a stable and settled place where they will prosper and grow. They will be blessed with bread and wine given from God’s hand as a sign of his dwelling with his chosen people.
This first time the word “bread” appears in Scripture is in Genesis 3 verse 19, “In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground” (Amplified Bible). Adam was given instruction by God as how to live life on earth out of Eden. The need for nourishment would be a paramount need and humans would have to constantly prepare the soil and plant the grain in order to survive. The word bread is thus used as an over-aching concept of food that sustains humans, made by humans, through their interconnectedness and work with the soil. It is in this context that we read that Abraham offered the Three Divine Visitors bread, in Genesis 18 verse 6. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, also offered the Two Divine Visitors bread that he prepared, as we read in Genesis 19 verse 3. Here we have examples of humans extending hospitality to strangers as an act of loving the neighbour, and thus, as the writer of Hebrews says in Chapter 13 verse 12, “entertained angels.” Bread and water are seen as basic life commodities. In our world millions are in need of basic nutrition and suffer the anguish of hunger and thirst.
Jesus recognised this need in those around him long before Maslow identified needs. Jesus first saw to the needs of those coming to listen to him, to feel secure in the place where they received the message. Then they were fed physical food, before they were given spiritual food. Shortly prior to Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the people, a terrible event took place that made everyone fearful and concerned for their safety and future. John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. His disciples went and collected his body and buried him and came to Jesus and told him what happened. The miraculous feeding was framed in this time of great anguish and fear, for the people held John the Baptist in great esteem and saw him as a prophet. John baptized Jesus and said that Jesus was the “Lamb of God.” People were concerned about religious freedom and the safety of those who worshipped and those who taught them. Jesus knew their fears. He gave them first a place to sit and “recline.” Then he prayed to his Father and broke bread and shared fish. They ate and their physical needs were satisfied. Then Jesus spoke of peace and comfort, addressing their spiritual needs. Jesus taught that one can experience calm and have faith amidst terror. “And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full,” Matthew 14 verse 20, (NSRVB).
Jesus, Bread of Heaven, We pray that you will bring your peace and love to those who hunger and thirst. We thank you that you take our cares upon you, and care for us, Amen.