How Is Your Appetite?

by Tracy Gordon

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’” –John 6:35

One of the many things that has been passed down to me from my mother is her recipe for delicious banana bread. There’s nothing like a slightly heated piece slathered with butter or peanut butter. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

Over the years, I have tweaked this recipe and made many variations by adding chocolate chips, various nuts, different candies, or simply applesauce and cinnamon. I have always loved making this bread and giving it to family and friends.

Many years ago, Veteran’s Day was approaching and I felt like God was stirring me to do something for veterans in my neighborhood. I became aware that there were five veterans who lived on my street or the next street over. I began brainstorming, trying to think of what I could do to show my family’s appreciation for their service. Suddenly I thought…BANANA BREAD! I quickly got to work and did some major baking. Once cooled, I wrapped up each loaf with red, white and blue ribbon and attached a little note of thanks. Then it was delivery time and I was a little nervous because I didn’t know all of them well. However, their reaction to this small token of appreciation overwhelmed me. I witnessed broad-shouldered men who had fought in various wars standing before me with tears in their eyes as they received their bread. I quickly realized it wasn’t just bread they were receiving for their tummies to enjoy. I was feeding their souls with appreciation and value as I let them know they were not forgotten. Realizing the impact that it made, I delivered that bread every Veteran’s Day until we moved. I don’t know who enjoyed it more, me or them. What a blessing!

In John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus is identifying Himself as the Bread of Life. In the ancient world, bread played a far more prominent role in sustaining life. Bread and water were what you would have primarily lived on to survive. If you could find a little piece of meat or fish or some dates to eat with your bread and some wine, then you were eating well. Bread made the eater go from hungry to full. Those who followed Jesus were hungry. In the beginning of John 6, Jesus had just fed the 5,000. They were all excited over the great miracle that had occurred, but Jesus was talking about something more important than social needs. He was talking about spiritual food. Man has an inborn hunger for God. He cannot be satisfied with anything less than God. God alone can supply the ‘bread’ that satisfies the inner longing of your soul and the hunger of your heart. 

The Jews listening to Jesus wanted physical blessings. They didn’t care about spiritual blessings. Similarly, North Americans want more and more. Jesus said in John 6:27, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Believers must constantly be on guard against worldliness, instead finding their validation in Christ.

The great English preacher J.H. Jowett said, “Worldliness is a spirit, a temperament, an attitude of the soul. It is life without high callings, life devoid of lofty ideals. It is a gaze always horizontal and never vertical. The world system has a tendency to lead us into sin, evil company, pleasures, fashions, opinions and aims of the world.” There are many things in this life that promise nourishment. They are like a bag of candy bars in the hands of a child. The belly may become full, but the child will not be nourished. Even though children love the taste of a candy bar, they will ultimately long for meat and potatoes, that which nourishes. The world has many things that promise happiness, but there is only one source of true joy, and that comes from feeding on the Bread of Life. May our appetites daily increase for the bread that fills our soul rather than our stomach.

Lord Jesus, Thank You that You are the Bread of Life. Lord, You tell us that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and that YOU will raise us up on the last day. Help us to increase our appetite for that which is truly sustaining and that is YOU! In Your precious name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.