Freedom Calls

Some days, life feels like a long walk through a hungry wilderness. The demands of this world—its noise, its pressures, its fleeting promises—can leave us empty, searching for something that truly satisfies. But then I read words like these from Jesus, and everything shifts: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:51, NKJV). These aren’t just words—they’re a lifeline, a promise that in Christ, we find everything we need, now and forever.

When Jesus spoke these words, He was offering Himself as the ultimate sustenance, the One who gave His very life to save us. It’s not just about physical bread that fills our stomachs for a moment; it’s about the eternal nourishment of His sacrifice, His love, His presence. As a child of God, saved by grace through faith in Jesus, I’m constantly amazed at how this truth meets me right where I am—hungry, weary, or even doubting. Let’s sit with this promise for a moment and hear how some of God’s faithful servants have pointed us to the same life-giving truth.

Charles Spurgeon once preached with his usual fire: “Christ is not only the bread of life, but the life of that bread, the living bread. There is no life in any other bread but this.” Oh, how that resonates! Spurgeon reminds me that nothing else—no job, no achievement, no temporary comfort—can satisfy like Jesus. When I’m tempted to chase the world’s empty offerings, I hear Spurgeon’s voice calling me back to the One who gave His flesh for the life of the world. Jesus isn’t just enough—He’s everything.

Watchman Nee had a way of cutting through the clutter to the heart of faith. He wrote, “Christ is the food of our life; He Himself is our life supply. To eat Him is to live by Him.” This hits me hard because it’s so easy to think I can sustain myself—through my efforts, my plans, my strength. But Nee’s words echo Jesus’ promise: to eat of this Living Bread is to let Christ Himself be my source. It’s not about what I bring to the table; it’s about receiving Him, day by day, and finding life in His presence.

John Bunyan, who walked his own pilgrim road through trials, put it beautifully: “Christ is the bread of life, and he that hath Him shall never hunger. His fullness is enough for all our emptiness.” I love that. Bunyan knew what it was to feel empty—imprisoned, mocked, struggling—and yet he found in Jesus a fullness that never runs dry. When I read John 6:51, I hear Bunyan cheering me on: “Keep feeding on Christ, friend. He’s more than enough for whatever you’re facing.”

C.S. Lewis, with his knack for making the profound feel close, said, “We are not merely imperfect creatures who must be improved: we are rebels who must lay down our arms.” That’s what eating the Living Bread means to me—it’s surrendering my rebellion, my self-sufficiency, and taking in the life Jesus offers. It’s not a one-time meal but a daily choice to depend on Him, to trust that His sacrifice is enough to carry me through every hunger of the soul.

The beauty of John 6:51 is that it’s not just a poetic idea—it’s a reality confirmed throughout Scripture. Jesus Himself said earlier in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (NKJV). And in 1 Corinthians 11:24, Paul recalls Jesus’ words at the Last Supper: “This is My body which is broken for you”—a reminder of the cost of this bread, given freely for us. Every time we partake in communion, we’re tasting that truth again: Christ’s life, given for ours.

I’ve had my own moments of hunger—times when worry gnawed at my peace, when loss left me hollow, when the world’s promises turned to dust. Maybe you’re there now, wondering how you’ll make it through. But here’s what I’m learning: the Living Bread doesn’t just fill us for a moment; it sustains us forever. Jesus gave His flesh, His very life, so we could live—not just survive, but thrive in the eternal life He promises. When I feel weak, I hear His voice: “Eat of Me, and you will live forever.”

So, dear friend, if your soul feels famished today, come to the table. Don’t wait until you feel worthy or strong—just come.

Feed on Christ through His Word, through prayer, through trusting His sacrifice.

Rejoice that the One who came down from heaven is enough for every need, every trial, every longing. Let’s hate even the thought of turning to anything less. The Living Bread is here, and He’s inviting us to live forever in Him.

Let’s pray:

Father, thank You for Jesus, the Living Bread who gave His life for us. Help us to feed on Him daily, to trust His sufficiency, and to find life in His love. Fill our hungry hearts with Your Spirit, bless us with your presence and lead us to live forever in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.