The smell and taste of bread delights me. Possibly you are the same as well. Imagine this with me: you walk into your house, your Grandma’s house, or a bakery and smell fresh bread coming out of the oven. As you do, someone puts some butter on that bread as you anticipate eating it. Melted butter with hot bread! Then possibly you add your favorite topping to an already luscious treat. Pure joy.
How does this apply to faith? Let me explain.
While reading in the Gospel of Luke, a conversation between Jesus and the devil grabbed my attention. In this specific conversation, the devil approaches Jesus and seeks to tempt Him. He offers Jesus an opportunity to sin three times. Remember, in this scene, Jesus had just been baptized by John where a voice from heaven identifies Jesus as God’s Son in Whom God is well-pleased. Afterwards, following the Holy Spirit, Jesus goes out into the wilderness where He is approached by the devil.
The Devil Brings Up Food; Jesus Responds
Notice how the scene unfolds:
3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” (Luke 4:3-4)
The devil seeks to have Jesus turn a rock into bread. Jesus responded by telling the devil that man should not eat by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Do Not Live by Bread Alone
Food – what we like and enjoy – is a gift of God to each of us. In the Old Testament, Solomon describes food this way:
24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
Notice, Solomon continues in the next chapter:
12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
Further, he writes:
18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. (Ecclesiastes 5:18)
and…
7 Go, eat your bread with joy,
And drink your wine with a merry heart;
For God has already accepted your works.
8 Let your garments always be white,
And let your head lack no oil.9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10).
In these multiple passages, they emphasize that food shares two important factors in the life of mankind. First, eating (i.e., food in our conversation), drinking, enjoying the good of your labor (i.e., work), and relationships (i.e., the wife of your youth) make up what Solomon calls the gifts of God or our portion. Portion means our inheritance (i.e., it is what we receive) or our portion (i.e., what God gives us on our plate.) Food is a gift of God to each of us.
Second, by implication the Bible teaches that eating and enjoying food is part of God’s good gift to us. As those who receive this gift, our hearts are to enjoy this gift. In God’s kindness, He provides the delicacies of food. As delicacies, we rejoice in its taste, texture, and ability to both satisfy our hunger and delight our taste buds.
Food as a gift? Yes it is.
Food as delight? Yes, as well.
Consider two additional implications:
Food as an object worthy of our worship? No way.
Food as something that controls us? Again, no way.
Man Shall Live By the Word of God
This is where Jesus really helps us out. He tells us that although food is good, it is not meant to totally sustain us. Instead, regardless of how much food an individual has, that person must live by the Word of God.
What does this mean?
The Word of God outpaces food in terms of benefits for the follower of Christ. Although food helps you live and tastes enjoyable, the Word of God helps you even when the food is gone. In other words, food can sustain your life as long as you have it; however, the Word of God provides you the means by which to respond in life when there is no food and as you prepare for eternity. Whereas food provides you some benefit, the Word of God supersedes that a hundred fold.
Think about the Word of God for a moment:
- Lights your path (Psalm 119:105)
- Helps you get pure and stay pure (Psalm 119:9-11)
- Provides you joy and greater delight (Psalm 1:1-3)
- Makes your way prosperous and provides you good success (Josh 1:8)
- Produces spiritual maturity and righteous living (2 Tim 3:16-17)
- Blesses you in living if you remember it and do it (James 1:21-27)
- Develops your perspective better than the world system, your experience, or your education (Psalm 119:97-104)
- Renews your mind (Rom 12:1-2)
God’s Word provides you everything you need to live for Jesus Christ in your various trials. God’s Word provides what you need for living a life that honors the Lord.
Enjoy Your Bread!
As you go throughout your day, enjoy your bread as a gift of God!
More importantly, enjoy God’s Word as that which ultimately helps you grow and live!
Thankfully, God provides you great gifts and His Word!
Image Credit Orlova Maria
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