When we read the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:5-13, the only seemingly material request we are instructed to pray is for is God to give us our daily bread. But should this be taken as literal bread to eat?
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
– Matthew 6:10-13 ESV
Just a few verses later, in Matthew 6:25, Jesus tells us, “…do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink…” Is this a contradiction? Absolutely not!
The bible uses bread to mean “that which is taken into the body to provide sustenance and nourishment”. And there are two types of bread talked about: leavened and unleavened. Leavening in the bible consistently symbolizes the corruption of sin (for instance, I Corinthians 5:8, “the leaven of malice and wickedness” ).
A Christian may choose what spiritual nourishment to take in: sinless, healthy bread; or sinful corrupted bread.
Jesus proclaims himself to be the Bread of Life.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. – John 6:35 ESV
Jesus is instructing us to pray for good and holy spiritual nourishment from Him each day. Why do we ask daily? Because God had given us free will to choose what we consume. He will not force a relationship uninvited. He seeks us to invite Him daily.
Lord, I ask you to give me today and each day your Bread of Life which nourishes me beyond all else. I love you, Lord. And I need you. Abide with me always. I submit my life to You, and may Your will be accomplished in my life in all things. Amen.
What bread will you eat today?
–RG
