OnFire #221 How Did I Never See That Before?

OnFire Encouragement Letter

OnFire #221 How Did I Never See That Before?

Hi Folks:

There are a few big things going on in our family this week. There is the lead up to Easter. Ian is playing in a school production this week. He is playing for the orchestra, Glee, and another group and is enjoying this a lot. For those in the Moncton area, there are still tickets available for MacNaughton High’s production of “Scenes from the Key of Life.”

And I'm getting ready to take Mark to Denver next week. Last Saturday he and Jan spent fundraising at a local marker and we’ll do the same this Saturday also. Next Tuesday Mark and I will fly to the world championships for Sport Stacking. This will be a great trip for the two of us and Mark is counting down the days. Jan has always taken him before but this will be a guy trip.

There will be no OnFire next week since we'll be away.

Have a good week.

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“How did I never see that before?”

I thought this lately as I read the account of the temptations in Matthew 4:3: “Tell these stones to become bread.” What I saw was the theme of bread in Jesus’ ministry.

He was born in Bethlehem, literally “House of Bread.”

He prayed “Give us our daily bread.”

He fed people with loaves and fishes.

He warned the disciples to beware the yeast of the Pharisees.

He told us that He is the Bread of Life.

During the Festival of Unleavened Bread, his betrayer dipped bread with him and he broke bread with the disciples, telling them that it was his body.

After the resurrection, the disciples recognized him when he broke bread.

In a new way I saw this theme of bread throughout Jesus’ ministry. In some ways we should not be surprised. Jesus used the common elements of daily life to illustrate his teaching and bread is a staple of life.

But there is something deeper linking all of these episodes. I’ve read somewhere that stones in that region resemble round loaves of bread. The temptation was about more than eating, it was also a temptation to gather a following by feeding everyone. How easy it would have been to turn the stones to bread.

“Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt 4:4*)

One of the profound truths in this is that we can eat but still be hungry. Even though we fill our mouths, our hearts can be empty. We need more than bread, we need the Bread of Life. Jesus had the power to turn the stones to bread, but if he had done this at the beginning he would have failed at the end. He would have filled many bellies, but that’s all. By going to the cross, by breaking the bread of his body, he could fill many hearts.

As we lead up to Easter, may our hearts be full of the Bread of Life.

Hope this helps. Be on fire

Troy

OnFire is a weekly letter on faith and character written by Troy Dennis. Troy is the Pastor of Family Ministries at Highfield Baptist Church, Moncton NB Canada. This letter published Mar 30, 2010. Scripture references taken from the New International Version. To subscribe or reply, email onfireletter@gmail.com. Archives are located at www.onfireletter@gmail.com Blog located at http://www.onfireletter.blogspot.com/