Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians

The Word on the Mountain
(Lesson 7)

The Hungry and the Thirsty (Part 2 of 5)

The Study of Bread

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 AV)

Blessed are the hungry for they shall be filled with the bread of righteousness...

“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.” (John 6:28-59 AV)

Though Manna was given by the LORD GOD to His people, it was not the true bread of His, but rather symbolic of the True Bread to come through the presence of Jesus Christ.

Notice the progression of instruction that Jesus Christ gives to his disciples. He first states the requirements of His Father to lose nothing given to him by His Father and to raise it up again in the last day. Then he offers the promise that everyone who sees Jesus Christ and believes will have eternal life. Then he announces the results will be the raising up on the last day.

It is a three part, logical development of salvation for the people given to Jesus Christ by the LORD GOD. The Will of the LORD GOD perfectly stated, the vehicle through belief in Jesus Christ perfectly formed, and the solution of resurrection for the believers on the last day perfectly promised. A full circle of the perfect Grace of the LORD GOD!

Imagine, for a moment, a present day leader with focused attention on his words, such as a politician or a minister. As they speak the things of importance to them, a crowd of disbelievers mumble quietly amongst themselves, doubting the words, but not brave enough to challenge the speaker. Of course, the leader is aware of the mumblings, but usually allows them to continue, and focuses on the presentation of his message to those who are listening and believe.

In present day, where political correctness is so encouraged, and every man is given the freedom to entertain any aberrant thoughts he chooses, a leader knows this and accounts for a percentage of dissidents to murmur around him. This allowance dilutes the credibility of the leader, but gives opportunity to present his message without direct challenge.

By Jesus Christ instructing the doubting Jews to quit murmuring among themselves, he is opening himself up to direct challenge, as well as standing firm on the words he is speaking.

Since we know that none come without the Will of the LORD GOD, then we know He is the One that causes them to hear.)

(There will be many references to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ within our study of bread, for it is his fleshly death that gave the holy and perfect doctrinal bread of life to all his followers.)

The study of John 6:28-59 is one of the easiest understood lessons contained within the Word of God. It's in black and white words, easily understood, and spoken in several different ways, so all that can hear can understand the word of Jesus Christ. Yet, amongst the followers of Jesus Christ, heated debates occur on a regular basis concerning the free will of a believer, and the called, chosen and faithful approach to the acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Many wrongly believe that Jesus Christ was sent to the whole world, and everyone is given the opportunity to believe and receive salvation through the Grace of the LORD GOD. While we can not presently know the criteria that the LORD GOD uses to call people forward to Him, we can be certain through this easily understood Scripture, that NO ONE COMES TOWARD THE LORD GOD WITHOUT HIS MOVING WILL!

Jesus Christ accepts those His Father chooses him to bring...no more and no less...as Jesus promises to bring all that the LORD GOD Wills to Him and the promise of everlasting life.

The focus of effective Christian witness and evangelism should not be announcing the Word of God to the whole world, so the whole world has an opportunity to be saved, but rather, announcing the Word of God to the whole world, so those chosen, called and faithful toward the LORD GOD can hear and come to Jesus Christ.

It's a fine line, that has led to big disagreements and misdirected focus on the ministry and evangelization of the Word of God. The LORD GOD chooses every, every, every person that receives salvation through Jesus Christ. It's as black and white as that, as spoken by the Word of Jesus Christ perfectly.

“All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-3 AV)

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:1-4 AV)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 AV)

The Bread of Life is every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD GOD is the Word of God. We know that Jesus Christ is the Word of God. We know that the Bread of Life is Jesus Christ.

“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19 AV)

The breaking of the bread was highly symbolic of the breaking of the Word of God which would soon be reflected in the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus instructed his disciples that he was giving his body for them...that he was allowing it to be broken for their sakes. He asked that his disciples remember this sacrifice of the breaking of his body through the breaking of bread.

This breaking of bread and the deep mystery of the spiritual nature of the substance of bread has created two major beliefs concerning the communion of saints, and the eating of bread in remembrance of Jesus Christ.

Some Christian brothers and sisters believe that when the bread is consecrated by a priest, that it is transubstantiated and becomes the actual flesh of Jesus Christ. The Real Presence belief leads to adoration and celebration in their Eucharist communion.

Other Christian brothers and sisters believe that the bread is symbolic of the flesh of Jesus Christ, which causes them to remember his crucifixion and partake of the Word of God in a personal and intimate communion.

All faithful followers of Jesus Christ, regardless of their belief of mode, locus or time of the His Real Presence within the bread of their communion with Him, realize the deeply spiritual union between Christ and the communicant when His sacramental bread is received.

“I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:15-21 AV)

This is so important for all Christians to remember. Though we may have disagreements concerning the Sacrament of Communion, everyone that eats of the Bread of the body of Christ, is eating of the one and only body of Jesus Christ. Two belief differences do not make two different bodies of Jesus Christ. It's one body, given for all of us in sacrifice, and Catholics and Protestants both partake of that one body in communion with Him, regardless of mode.

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” (1Co 11:23-34 AV)

In these times, irreverence for the Word of God is in every aspect of the world, and must be known for what it is by faithful Christians. It is so very important, however, that faithful Christians recognize their accountability, and the extreme importance in having a sincere reverence toward the Word of God as they receive it. The world is what the world is, and one day will come to an end. But as for me and my house, and my brothers and sisters in Christ, WE WILL SHOW REVERENCE TOWARD HIS HOLY WORD! If we do not, we bring damnation to ourselves and are judged unworthy to receive of His Bread of Life!

The ritual tradition of the communion of saints brings a certain reminder of the sacredness of the moment, and lends a worshipper to prepare his heart for receiving the bread of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, some Christians do not realize that to receive the Word of God at any time, in any place, in any way, deserves the awe and reverence that we hold during the traditional communion service. The same body of Jesus Christ we receive in his bread at communion is the same bread we eat each time the Word of God is received by us, and is deserving of our devotion, respect and veneration.

We are all we have in this world! Christian brothers and sisters must look after each other! We cannot take care of our own if we are coming into fellowship expecting to be fed. We must focus on each other when we gather together, and focus on the bread he provides us in communion with Him and our fellow believers, rather than expecting our hunger to be filled because we were too lazy to eat before we gathered together.

When we are hungry and seek after righteousness, he feeds us his bread and we are filled...congregating with other believers is not required for this filling to take place.

When we gather together, well fed and confident of the things the Word of God has taught us, we share these teachings with our brothers and sisters, in communion with the bread of Jesus Christ. It is then when we can look after each other, and keep everybody on the straight and narrow path of Jesus Christ, so none go astray and have need to be judged and punished by the LORD GOD.

“Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, [this] is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before [other] his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not.”(1Co 11:17-22 AV)

By coming together hungry and thirsty, fellow Christians take their own portion first, without regard to their brothers and sisters. Some leave filled, some hungry, some drunken, and some without, a sure breeder of heresy when the focus is taken from the Word of God, and placed on individual believers, fighting for their share of food.

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.” (Romans 14:13-20 AV)

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:9-13 AV)

If you seek after righteousness, you will be fed with his bread. He promises his Followers that they will be blessed with filling when they hunger and seek for righteousness. The LORD GOD will not give you a stone, if you ask for bread! He will feed you with the pure Word of God, and fill you with His righteousness.

“Give us day by day our daily bread.” (Luke 11:3 AV)

Day by day we receive nourishment from the Things that He Wills us to know! By just asking Him for our daily bread, we are seeking after His Things, and promised the reward of filling for our hunger!

Our Study of Bread has turned into a two-part lesson because of the absolute importance that this topic holds to understanding His Word. Our next lesson will go deeper into the different types of bread that lead us to righteousness, or have the potential of moving us away from the Word of God. Until we understand the deep focus that bread holds within our spiritual lives, we cannot be filled completely with the bread that He has prepared for us!

We look forward to sharing our table with you next week, as you continue to eat the Bread of Righteousness from His Word that He has provided to fill your spirit completely!

Cite Article Source

MLA Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L. "The Hungry and the Thirsty (The Study of Bread)." The Word on the Mountain Jan 2007.   <http://guidedbiblestudies.com/sermon/7mountain.htm>.

APA Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L. (2007, January) "The Hungry and the Thirsty (The Study of Bread)." The Word on the Mountain Retrieved   from http://guidedbiblestudies.com/sermon/7mountain.htm

Chicago Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L.(2007) "The Hungry and the Thirsty (The Study of Bread)." The Word on the Mountain (January), http://guidedbiblestudies.com/sermon/7mountain.htm (accessed )

About the Author

Kathy L. McFarland is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and Author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a Religious Studies student of Liberty University, Hebrew language student attending Israeli taught Ulpan and a Homeschool parent teaching the things of God. She is also well-known as a child advocate of innocent children tortured and suffering from the abuse of sexual perversion, out-of-control violence, and pathetic neglect by a carnal world gone mad.

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