By: Bec Harris
Bread appears throughout the Bible. But what does it really mean? Pastor Rob Furlong. from Woodvale Baptist Church unpacks the symbolism.
Bread in the Old Testament
Bread first appears in the wilderness story of Exodus. When the Israelites complained about food, God provided manna from heaven.
“We don’t really know what the stuff was like, but God called it bread,” Pastor Rob explains. “It rained every day for six days a week during the 40 years in the wilderness.”
Bread became more than food. It symbolised fellowship. Sharing bread meant sharing life.
Bread in the New Testament
Bread takes on deeper meaning in the New Testament. Pastor Rob points to the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. “There was that little guy with five loaves and two fish. Jesus took that small offering and fed a multitude.”
After the miracle, Jesus linked bread back to the Old Testament. The people remembered manna in the wilderness. Jesus corrected them:
“It’s not Moses who was giving you the bread out of heaven. It’s my Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”
Then Jesus declared: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”
What Does “Bread of Life” Mean?
Pastor shares the account of David fleeing from Saul. Hungry and desperate, David asked a priest for food. The only bread available was the holy bread reserved for priests.
“The priest faced a dilemma,” says Pastor Rob. “Does he stick to the rules or feed a starving man? He gave David the bread.”
For Pastor Rob, the lesson is clear. “People come to church hungry. They’re desperate. Are we going to offer religious rules, or the bread of life, Jesus?”
Bread as a Metaphor for Life
Jesus used everyday images to explain spiritual truths. “He said, I am the true vine, I am the light of the world,” says Pastor Rob. “With bread, he takes something physical and infuses it with a deeper reality. Life is found in him.”
Summing it up simply: “If you’ve got an ache in your soul, find a church that will offer you the bread of life. Jesus really is the answer.”
Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.
Feature image: Canva
