Here’s One I Made Earlier
David Francis
The recent “Good news. Good bread” events at the Artizan cafe, have aimed to mix breadmaking with the good news of God. When I’m involved in sour dough breadmaking, I see in it many comparisons with what God has done for us in Christ.
On one occasion, as the baked loaves came out of the oven, I said: ‘Here’s one I prepared earlier!’
They were free ‘take away’ loaves; examples of what everyone was trying to make, and a symbol of the good news of the grace of God in Christ.
They set me thinking about what God had already prepared for us in Jesus.
God who is rich in mercy... even when we were dead in our sins, made us alive with Christ
Ephesians 2: 4-5
A loaf usually provides sustenance over several days but eventually we need another.
But Jesus says:
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
God gives us something that not only lasts for eternity but satisfies us for that time too. It is offered to everyone who has ever lived!
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
John 6:33
He said this to people who just wanted more free food, challenging them to work for food that endures to eternal life, which He would give them of course. They just had to believe Him! (John 6: 27-29)
People often have a hard time believing God, even when such obvious miracles as are displayed and are literally in their stomachs! It does sound too good to be true and why many hold back.
Thankfully, Christians have been given eyes of faith to see the substance of the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11: 1)
The absolute bond we have with God and Jesus is certain never to fail, Jesus will not lose anyone and has promised to raise us up. (John 6: 39)
As we consume the words of God daily, we feed on Jesus and are strengthened. We know God’s loving arms are flung wide open and He runs to us.
His love in Christ is our free gift as were the loaves prepared beforehand, we can never earn them.
We just have to take and eat!
The “Once for all” sacrifice is the daily whole food, that feeds the world.
We are saved by continuing to consume the truth of God in Jesus. His perfect love casts out all fear.
The surety of our eternal existence was certain before the foundation of the world.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…
Ephesians 1: 4
Jesus is the ONE prepared earlier!
Let’s share this good news of good bread with the hungry.
