How are you? How is your week going? Have you been working and living for the bread that does not perish?
What did Jesus mean when He said this? We know what He did NOT mean through Pastor John Piper. First, He did NOT mean that we are to not work at all. Ephesians 4:28 shows us that we are called to work, and there is dignity in our call to work. Second, He did NOT mean that we work for free. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, we see that work is the means through which God provides for our daily needs.
So then what did Jesus mean? What is the bread that perishes? The bread that perishes represents the money, wealth, luxuries, security, pleasure, fun, respect, success, and fame that you can get from work and life. These things do not last. A commentator mentioned that these are all fleeting pleasures. You cannot take them with you after you die.
So then what is the bread that does not perish? What can we take with us after we die? It’s our relationship with God through Christ. Working for this bread means that our ultimate goal in our working and living is to glorify God. It’s to know and trust Christ more. It’s to commune with Him more deeply and intimately.
This means that there is a work behind our work, a purpose behind our purpose, and a life behind our life. It’s all for the Lord.
How is this possible? How can we live and work for the bread that does not perish? It’s because Christ is the Bread of Life that perished for our sins. In our sin, we make other “breads” as our ultimate end, and they lead us into death. Christ is the One who died for our sins and idols on the cross so that we may receive life. He paid it all.
That’s why Jesus said “It is finished.” It’s because this is the work of God. It’s the work of salvation finished on our behalf.
New Life, I pray that you may trust in this work of God, and may you work and live for the bread that does not perish.
See you on Sunday for our Lord’s Day Worship! Again, this is a reminder that we will partake of the Lord’s Table this Sunday! It ties in beautifully with our passage! Hope to see you there!
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
