Advent Day 3 John 6:30-35

“So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?  Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

^“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:30-35 ESV)

Signs that revealed Christ to those around Him were given over, and over again, yet they were ignored, or because of hardened hearts, they were not seen. Through the prophets, the very first sign that Christ was born was in the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Immanuel means God with us. This first sign was even pronounced to the shepherds in the fields. Most amazing, as in their time, they were the lowest in society. It is also amazing because the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of the Shepherd of the children of God.

Jesus gave other signs in the form of miracles. He healed the sick, the blind, and the deaf. He cleansed lepers and made wine from water. It is interesting, however, that twice Jesus fed the many with far too little. Five loaves of bread for the five thousand, and seven loaves for four thousand, which is actually a deflated number because scripture did not include the women and children who were also gathered at the time.

In today’s verse, the Israelites again ask for a sign. They speak of the manna, honey-like wafers that rained down from God in the wilderness. They asked Jesus for that bread, and it was then that He told them He was the bread of life. Those who come to faith in Jesus as the Son of God will never thirst, nor will they find hunger. 

In our salvation, Christ fills us with a contentment that cannot be found elsewhere. Whilst many seek earthly satisfaction, the true satisfaction in life and death is found in the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is our prayer that during this Advent, we all would spread the gospel. Plant the seeds of salvation that may come to bear fruit in heaven. Lead those lost in the world to the only true Savior, Christ Jesus.

Advent Prayer Day 3

Father God,

This Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Lord,

help us to be bold in Christ. Loosen our lips that we may proclaim

the gospel to the world. Help us to be a beacon of Jesus' light.

Let us too act as shepherds leading the lost sheep of the world to the foot of the cross.

Let us gather them so that they, too, may come to know Your Son as their Savior.

Father, we worship and glorify You for it is Your love that gives us a way to be

united with You, sharing in Your glory.

In the name of Immanuel, God with us, we pray, Amen.