Satisfaction

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6.35

Strangely perhaps, it is those who know what it is to lack physical bread who appreciate the human need for spiritual sustenance too. Their insight echoes Jesus riposte to Satan, "man cannot live on bread alone" (Matthew 4.4) when the latter tempts him to turn stones into bread. Similarly, when Peter spoke up for the other disciples saying to Jesus "you alone have the words of eternal life" (John 6.68), he was affirming that only Jesus can provide this spiritual bread.

All of that said, it does not mean we should be indifferent to the suffering of those who lack enough to eat. Rather, as we share our excess to fulfil their need, we should heed their example of our even greater need for that bread of life which only Jesus can supply. Thus may our hunger and thirst finds its true mean in the struggle for gospel mission as well as social justice. According to scripture, these are really two sides of the same coin!