Do you have a good memory? A husband was asked by his wife to go to the store and buy a loaf of bread. The husband departed and soon arrived at the market, parked his car, entered the door and was on his way to the bread aisle. On the way to the bread, he spotted his favorite cereal and picked up a box. Next, he thought, I need to get milk. The cold milk made him think of Oreo cookies, so he grabbed a package. The cookies were in the same aisle as barbeque potato chips, so he put them in his cart also. As he made his way to the checkout, he spotted some ice cream. In just a few minutes he proudly checked out and drove home. When his wife looked at his purchases, can you guess her question? Where’s the bread?
Jesus had finished teaching a multitude and the crowd was now hungry. The disciples were clueless as to what to do. They asked Jesus where can we buy bread? Jesus told them to have the crowd sit down. Then he took the 5 loaves of bread they had, and two small fish and performed a miracle that fed 5,000 people. Later, Jesus taught His disciples an important truth in John 6:35: “And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst”.
The Bread of Life is Jesus Christ Himself. This hungry world is feeding on empty substitutes when what they really need is the Bread of Life. We can get very involved as Christians in our efforts of doing good. We can feed people; we can encourage and help and serve in various ways. But we dare not forget the one essential product. The only thing that can save people and nourish them in eternal life is Jesus Christ.
Many churches can become like that forgetful husband. Our cart is full of so many interesting and enjoyable items. However, we must remember our main priority. Don’t forget the Bread!