Amidst the chaos and mess in the world, finding hope in God can be challenging. However, studying the scriptures reveals his constant presence and bigger plan. Nothing surprises him. Learning his names and what they show us about him and his nature helps us trust him even in the midst of uncertainty. Crisis situations can induce overwhelming feelings of panic and anxiety, even in mature adults who have developed coping mechanisms. But in the story of God and of humankind through scripture, we see, hear, and learn that God is present. He enters our anxieties, our worries, our crisis, and offers us hope, peace, and comfort.

Jesus did not just show up at Christmas 2000 years ago, he was there at the beginning with the Father. The Gospel of John contains all the "I am" names for Jesus and the book points to Jesus. The book is a literary masterpiece that must be read to be fully experienced.

The first time God is referred to as "I Am" is in the Bible when he revealed himself to Moses from the burning bush. God saw that his people were in crisis and was moved to deliver them, revealing himself to Moses as "I AM" or YAHWEH, meaning "he will be" or "being." HE IS.

So, what does bread have to do with Jesus and God?

John 6:35 says, "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"

In the wilderness, God provided the Israelites with manna, which was fresh bread every day to sustain them. God is known as Yahweh Jireh, meaning “God is my provider” or “God will see to it.” Similarly, the Israelites were looking for a deliverer to free them from their enslavement under Rome. They were hoping for a Messiah to defeat their enemies and establish His Kingdom.

We can find hope and comfort in knowing that God is present in every situation. We can trust him even when we don't fully understand what's happening around us. Learning about God's names and nature can help us grow in our relationship with him and find that our deepest needs are met through his life in us.

The Jewish people in the Old Testament longed for a saviour who would perform miracles, but they did not expect their deliverer to come as their bread. They were so focused on signs and gifts that they missed Jesus, even when He was right in front of them. How many times have we missed Jesus, didn’t even see him right in front of us, because we were too focused on the sign or the lack thereof?

When Jesus performed the feeding of the 5000, it wasn't just about food, though it was very cool. Jesus was up to so much more. He was revealing something that was true about God. This miracle was performed to point to Yahweh, I am, the one they celebrate through the Passover Feast every year. As we think about who was behind the feeding of the 5000, it encourages us to dig into experiencing Jesus for more than just His miracles but for who He really is.

The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle recorded by all four gospel writers. This tells us that they all really wanted us, the readers, to see something important here. Jesus used this miracle to reveal himself as the bread of life through a sign. He performed a similar miracle in Gentile territory, signifying that he is the provider for all nations and all people. Therefore, Jesus is the bread for eternity.

John 6:26-66 highlights the significance of seeking Jesus for who he is, rather than just for what he can do for us. When Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with just a few loaves of bread and fish, the people were amazed and followed him. However, Jesus knew that their focus was on the bread and not on him as the bread of life. He tells them that they should not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.

The people then ask Jesus for a sign to prove he is who he says he is. They reference the manna that God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, but Jesus corrects them by saying that it was not Moses who gave them the bread from heaven, but it was God who gave them the true bread from heaven. Jesus then declares that he is the bread of life and that whoever comes to him will never go hungry or thirsty. However, when Jesus goes on to say that they must eat His flesh and drink his blood, many of his followers are offended and turn away from him. Jesus knew that this would happen, but he said it anyway because he was looking for true disciples who would follow him in spirit and in truth.

The word of God may be difficult to accept, like raw wheat that needs processing to become nourishing. To fully understand and benefit from it, we must seek Jesus for who he is, not just what he can do for us.

Following Jesus is a journey of encountering him, building a relationship, and becoming his disciple. However, this journey is not always smooth sailing. It may be challenging when his teachings do not align with our beliefs, but we must remember to die to ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow him.

Some people may question why Jesus would ask us to die to everything and pick up our cross if his message is about freedom. But true freedom comes from surrendering our lives to Jesus and letting him guide us, rather than being slaves to our own desires. Jesus invites all people to come to him, but He is the only way to God. It is essential to recognize that Jesus is not just a moral teacher but the Son of God.

There may also be teachings of Jesus that challenge our cultural norms and values, such as His narrow sexual ethic. It can not be easy to reconcile these teachings with our personal stories and experiences. However, it is important to approach these teachings with an open heart and mind and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

To deepen our relationship with Jesus, we must nurture our hearts and immerse ourselves in His teachings. Though following him is not always easy, it is worth it. Even Jesus' own disciples struggled with some of His teachings, but they remained committed to him.

Luke 22:14-15 describes Jesus having the Passover meal with his apostles. He takes bread, gives thanks, and gives it to them, saying it is his body given for them. He also takes the cup, saying it is the new covenant in his blood, poured out for them to remember him. The meal Jesus offers is about encountering him, becoming his disciples, and forming a relationship with him. The bread represents his body, which was beaten, cut, and ground down, and the resurrection that followed. It is not just about eating and drinking but becoming part of the story and believing in him.

Although the violence endured by Jesus may seem offensive, it serves as a promise. This promise is that Jesus is the I Am, the Yahweh of the burning bush, clothed with human flesh, the Bread of Life. He eagerly desires to eat this Passover with us, and when we share the bread and cup, we remember him.

In the intricacies of life's chaos, finding hope in God is a journey. The 'I am' names for Jesus and the symbol of bread weave a timeless story that help us to look forward to eternity. How can we learn to live with a focus on him daily? Seeking his presence above all else fills us with his love that spills out to the world around us.