A friend
who lives in Singapore told me about an old Chinese greeting. Instead of “How
are you?” people would ask “Have you eaten until you are full?” The greeting
likely originated during a time when food was scarce and many people did not
know when they would have their next meal. When food was available, it was
advisable to eat until they were full.
After
Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two small fish (John
6:1-13), the crowd followed Him wanting more (vv.24-26). The Lord told them not
to work for physical food that spoils, but “for the food which endures to
everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you . . . . I am the bread of
life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall
never thirst” (vv.27,35).
As
followers of Jesus, we should help those who lack adequate physical nutrition.
And with all, we can share the good news that our hunger for inner peace,
forgiveness, and hope can be satisfied by knowing Christ the Lord.
Jesus
Christ, the bread of life, invites us to come to Him for His feast for the
soul, urging us to eat until we are full.
There is
a longing in every heart that only Jesus can satisfy. (RBC)
