The Bread and LORD of Life!

Only Christ can satisfy our deep spiritual hunger.

Friend, we are in the season of Resurrection. 

Jesus, much prevents us from drawing near to You. But, You, the Resurrection and the Life, irresistibly draw many onward and upward. 

Christ, standing athwart the onrush of our frenzied cultural grandiosity/brutality/amusement, You ask “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole ‘world’ (Greek: ‘cosmos’) and forfeits his ‘soul’ (‘psyche’)”? (Matthew 16:26) The Greek dictionary defines “soul” as: “The direct aftermath of God breathing His gift of life into a person, making that person an ‘ensouled being.’” Aha!

Paul understood. He wrote: “I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may “gain” Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)

Christ, You deeply satisfy our souls. You promised: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” (John 6:35)

Now, to consider “bread” let’s jump time and space to what God had the Anglo Saxons do with their word for “bread”, “hlaf”. Pay attention! Somehow, the “h” faded away; “a” stayed but was overpowered by a new “o”. “Hlaf” became “Loaf”. Got it?!

Chew on three Anglo Saxon words paired with hlaf.  “Manna” was “heofenlic hlaf” (“heavenly loaf”); “communion bread” was “hlaf mæsse” (“loaf used at mass”) “taking communion“ was “hlaf gang (“loaf going”).

Now, another Anglo-Saxon connection. “Breadwinner” started as “hlaf-weard (“loaf warden” one who provides/guards bread). Eventually, “hlaf-weard” lost not only its “h” but also its “f” and “w.”  Now, people called this guardian of the loaf: “la-eard” or “laird” and, eventually, “lord!”

God, we imagine Your delight when English Bible translators adopted “LORD” (“Loaf Warden”) as the English equivalent of Hebrew – “Yahweh.” What a connection! “Yahweh” is: “I am that I am” – the unending Source – holy and eternal but also the personal, intimate, covenant name of God – by far Your most frequently used name in Scripture. 

Grand Loaf Warden, You revealed to the Hebrews Who You are by Your name, Yahweh. And our Anglo Saxon forbearers added new dimensions to the Name above all names, “LORD”.

Bread of Life, You took “LORD” from the Anglo Saxons, a tribe like the Crow tribe of Montana, and flourished that name. They enunciated “LORD” provincially.  Now ”LORD” is spoken by 2 billion English speakers.  Multiplying loves, indeed!

And “bread” also thrusts us to the Great Transformation. Astonishingly, Loaf Warden, You became the Manna/Loaf.  Loaf Warden, after gestating nine months in the virgin’s womb, You were born in what the Hebrews called “Beth” (“house of”) “lehem” (“bread”) – what Anglo Saxons called: “Hlaf-hus” – “Loaf House.”

Manna/Loaf/Lord, You began Your public ministry by fasting – starving.  Like so many, Jesus, You knew hunger. Although You would not turn stone into bread for Your own needs, You miraculously multiplied bread to feed thousands. Loaf Warden, indeed!

And Resurrected Bread of Life, only You can satisfy the hollowness caused by our deep spiritual famine.

Father, to terminate such desolation, on the cross You ground up Your dear, dear willing Son. Crushing the Heaven-sent Kernel of Wheat, You molded/kneaded His Flour into a Loaf and baked Him. And, from this crushing and grinding and kneading and molding and baking on the cross came the Loaf with sweet Life for those who would believe. 

Jesus, You promised:  ‘Very truly I tell you…my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry.’” (John 6:32ff)

Jesus, we believe You: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) 

Friend, let’s ask the “LORD” for the whole Loaf.

Steve Bostrom is the State Capitol Minister of MTS-Montana.