Manna from Heaven

As many times as I’ve taken communion and have heard the words, “The body of Christ given for you,” it wasn’t until this last week that a new connection became very real to me. As I opened my eyes at the communion rail and saw the wafer being placed in my hand, I heard those familiar words once again. This time though, my thought was manna from heaven. 

The Bible study I’m in is connecting OT to NT, specifically the tabernacle, or the Tent of Meeting, how it came to be, and what it means. In just one piece of this woven history of God, there are several  references of bread and God.

God prepares His people to know Him. One way He did this was to be the Provider to the Israelites’ needs in the desert.  They came to know His love, power, and faithfulness through His protection and provision as He filled their need.

Manna from heaven – “Each one is to gather as much as he needs.” Ex. 16:16. Some of the Israelites gathered much, some little. “…he who gathered much did not have too much and he who gathered little did not have too little.” Ex. 16:17-18. This manna has such significance that it was one of three things that were placed in the ark of the covenant (along with the budding staff of Aaron and the Ten Commandments). God’s provision is powerful. He knows us and provides each to our own need.

Enlightening

Our Daily Bread – Give us this day our Daily Bread – The Lord himself fills our daily need. Matt 6:11 – “Give us today our daily bread.” Have you stopped to consider the fact that God wants us to know him every day? He is our daily bread and we will be filled as we are strengthened by His daily relationship with us. “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19.

Profound

Bread of Life – The New Testament gives us the message of the new covenant made through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 6:33, 35, 51 “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world….I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry….I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Beautiful

Open your hand and receive Him. The body of Christ is given for you. He will fill you with peace and will provide all that you need.