March 25, 2009

Read John 6:27-40

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.—John 6:35

This evening I made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. It wasn't really a sandwich, though, because we didn't have any bread. I needed to find a substitute. After a thorough search of the fridge -- I even looked behind the Christmas cheese log -- I found find a tortilla. But, the PB&J tortilla was not very satisfying. A while later, I was back in the pantry searching for something to snack on.

Every day we search for things that will fulfill us -- literally, emotionally and spiritually. Some things leave us wonton, others leave us sick. And we search, often in vein, in odd places for satisfaction despite God's presence all around us. We often ignore Jesus' call to come to him while looking for something else that will satisfy our hunger and quench our thirst.

Yet, unlike my PB&J tortilla, Jesus satisfies. When we come to him there is no need to search for anything more, for he provides for and sustains us. The Spirit fulfills us totally when we dine at His table.

Dear Lord, guide us to your Son so that we may never be hungry and enrich our belief so that we may never be thirsty. Satisfy us with the bounty of your love. Amen.

Brian Reuwee is a native of West St. Louis County, but went to high school in Springfield, Mo.