Hunger and Thirst

What does it mean to never be hungry or thirsty?

Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. - John 6:32-35

I have become very practical in my old age.  Things that I used to understand in an idealistic manner, I now see differently.

Take hunger for example.  When Jesus talks about not being hungry or thirsty, I would hear it as a hunger and thirst for God, sustenance for the soul, not food and drink to sustain the body.

But after two years of feeding the hungry, I see his message in a new light.

Yes, it is true that man does not live by bread alone, and I am sure the nourishment we get from the Word of God is more than enough to feed our hearts, minds, and souls.  But doesn't it do something else as well?

Those who follow Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior have a gift that is life itself.  We share what we are given and give from the heart, extending the faith into action.

In other words, we become the bread, and in doing so, we take on the work of feeding the hungry and satisfying those who thirst.

When new people come to the pantry and soup kitchen, we need more food to feed them, and somehow we managed to get it.

People just show up with donations.  We don't even have to ask.

I have to believe this is the work of faith.  When we do God's work, God's people join in, and more can be fed.

So, I am discovering there are many layers of understanding when it comes to the message of The Gospel.  We could go through life thinking it is all about us and our salvation, a gift for the afterlife.

Or we can act on the Word and bring God's Kingdom to fruition in this life, actually feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty here and now.

How much more can we be doing to spread the Word?

I am sure just a little bit of love can go a long way, healing and helping a difficult and painful world.

So, while we praise God today for saving us, let us also take note of our mission and purpose, to bring that saving grace to others.

Come.  Eat and drink.  And let no one hunger.

More to come...