For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. —John 6:33
Names carried great significance to the ancient Hebrews. To know the name of something was to rule it; they believed the essence of the person or thing was in its name.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as foretold by Micah over 450 years earlier (Micah 5:2). Bethlehem means literally, “House of Bread”—an appropriate place for God to ordain to cradle the Bread of Life that came down from heaven.
The manna which fell in the wilderness only briefly satisfied; it couldn’t be stored or kept to meet tomorrow’s need. But when we partake of Jesus, we can be continually filled, saved, and satisfied for all eternity.
Our clothes may wear out, our money may run out and our hair may fall out—but Christ, the “True Bethlehem,” the “True Manna,” gives us everlasting life. “O, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8).
Lord, I have tasted and known that You are good.
You are the true bread that came down
from heaven. I will feed on Your Word
all the days of my life. Amen.
