Manna from Heaven
How typical of people! God has rescued the Israelites from a terrible life of slavery in Egypt and still they are complaining. They suggested that they had preferred the bad old days – at least they got fed then. God hears their complaints and promises to provide them with food raining down from heaven every morning, all they had to do was gather it in; and there would be meat every evening. And it was so, God provided them with food to eat, strength for their journey. To me this shows the very graciousness of God. I might have been tempted to tell them to stop moaning, enjoy their freedom, and get on with it! But this is God. He hears them, and gives them what they need at that moment, to meet their need and to reveal that he is God – and he will care for them, feed them and protect them. They would know by his actions that he is the Lord their God.
This theme continues. Here the people know that Jesus can feed them – they’ve just seen it and tasted it. But Jesus wants them to understand the truth behind what’s happened. He doesn’t want them to follow him because he can meet their physical needs. He can, but it’s about much more than that. Jesus brings not just bread for today, but life for the world. Feeding on him means never being hungry again. Not in physical terms but in spiritual terms. Believing in Jesus, drawing our strength from him will be our sustenance day by day. Drawing near, spending time with him, listening to him, drawing on his word and his love – they are what will give us strength in our lives.
Let’s receive that manna from heaven, eat and be strengthened, for the journey God calls us on day by day.
Pam's Perambulation 