1 Kings 19:1-18; Ephesians 4:17-5:2; John 6:35-51
The
product Wonder Bread was introduced in 1921 and became a national brand four
years later. Colorful packaging, innovations like packaged sliced loaves, and
effective advertising made Wonder Bread a staple of the American diet, even
though it lack any significant nutritional value. Through various initiatives,
bakers began adding nutrients to Wonder Bread and other white breads after
World War II. Advertising boasted to children growing up in the 1950s that
"Wonder Bread builds strong bodies 8 ways." In the 1960s, they were
told that it "Helps build strong bodies 12 ways," because even more
nutrients were added into the recipe. Today’s Wonder Bread even includes whole
wheat. It turns out that the original recipe Wonder Bread product was not so
wonderful after all. It also turns out that the 1920s version wasn’t even the
original Wonder Bread.
Long
before a product took the name, the original Wonder Bread was making bodies
whole and healing people of their diseases. More than this, the original Wonder
Bread was bringing life to the dead. Of course, this didn’t happen because
someone added a few more nutrients to a bread recipe, but came about “by the
assumption of the humanity into God” when the Bread of Heaven took on human
flesh and dwelt among us.
When
Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life He added a promise to His claim. He said
that whoever believed in Him would never grow hungry and never thirst. Of
course, we know that many Christians have experienced hunger and thirst since
Jesus made this promise (and, sadly, many are starving today). But we also know
that the hunger and thirst that Jesus was speaking about goes much deeper than
being without food and water. It’s the hunger and thirst that grips the person
who has no hope, no peace, and no faith. He came to address our spiritual
hunger and thirst in ways that no one else was able to. He promised that all
who trust in Him will be spiritually satisfied, no matter what their
circumstances in life may be. Whether we are hungry or well-fed, thirsty or
refreshed, alone or in good company, happy or sad, healthy or struggling with
health issues, etc., we find our hope, strength, and satisfaction in the Bread
of Life — the original Wonder Bread who is truly wonderful.
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