The Allied soldiers gathered many hungry, homeless children after World War II and placed them in large camps. The children were abundantly fed and cared for. However, at night they did not sleep well; they seemed restless and afraid. Finally, a psychologist came up with a solution: After the children were fed and put to bed, they each received an additional slice of bread. If they wanted more to eat, they could have it, no problem, but this particular slice was not to be eaten—it was just to have and to hold. The slice of bread produced incredible results. The children would go to sleep holding on to the slice of bread and subconsciously feel comforted knowing they would have something to eat tomorrow. Amazingly, it calmed the children, stole their fears, and gave them a peaceful night’s sleep through the night.

And it’s kind of like that for us Christians for us too. With all the uncertainties in life. With all the fears of the unknown in life. With all the panic and anxiety of ever-changing circumstances in life. With all the suffering that we must endure in life. With all of the body aches––and headaches—and heartaches—and everything in between, in life. With everything that could possibly go wrong in our life and more often than not, does, there is yet an incredible reality and divine sovereignty that consoles us, that we cling to and clutch with every fiber of our being, morning and evening, and every time in between, Jesus Christ, our bread of life!

Jesus is the bread of life. The living bread that came down from heaven for and to us. He is the living bread who alone can sustain and strengthen us through this pain-stricken, suffering-filled, and at times impossibly difficult, life. He is the living bread who alone can satisfy the otherwise emptiness of this fallen, corruptible, unfair, and in many cases, hopeless life. He is the living bread because in and through him alone can anyone have the hope of eternal life and future resurrection glory in his presence and kingdom, forever. He is the living bread because he saves us for himself, sustains us in himself, comforts us with himself, and carries us all by himself—through everything and everywhere he intends to take us in this life.

And the call this morning for anyone who has not yet tasted the goodness of God in the bread of life that is his Son, Jesus, is to come, and feast upon Jesus this morning—and to continue feasting upon him, because eternal life, the hope of heaven, satisfaction of your sin-sick empty soul, quenching of your thirsty spirit, and everything you need in this life, are found only in and made complete, in him.

And the way you feast upon him is by faith, it’s not a physical or mystical feasting, it’s by believing who he says he is and who the Bible claims him to be: God, Lord, Savior, and King. Cling to Christ the bread of life and existence, in whom your physical life and existence is found and through whom your eternal life and salvation is made possible, just as these children clung to their slice of bread at night. And you will have eternal life, resurrection glory, and his abiding presence with you now, and for always.