I Am Because You Are August 31, 2025 Devotional

JOHN 6:8-13, 30-31 | ⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ⁹ “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they sat down, about five thousand in all. ¹¹ Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were     seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹² When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” ¹³ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.

³⁰ So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us, then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”

Moses is the towering figure of the Torah. Liberator, leader and   lawgiver, he is the greatest prophet in Jewish history. There are   parallels between Jesus and Moses. Jesus too liberates us, from the slavery of sin and from physical and spiritual death. He leads, not one fledgling nation, but the international movement He called the kingdom of God, which connects earth to the community of heaven. He offers a new covenant and a deeper take on Mosaic law. In John 6, He feeds a large crowd, and this is a parallel to the Israelite experience with manna in the wilderness. (This connection is noted by those who question Him and ask for a manna-like sign.) In Christ the journey of Israel is replayed and completed.

Bread, here a stand in for food itself, is a necessity for life. Have you ever lacked necessities?

Gracious God,

Help me to understand and remember that behind life’s necessities You stand as Giver and Provider.

Amen.