How does Exodus 16:35 connect to Jesus as the "bread of life"? \Setting the Scene: Exodus 16:35\ “ The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a habitable land. They ate manna until they reached the border of the land of Canaan.” • God fed His people daily, miraculously, without fail • The provision continued until they reached the Promised Land—no gap, no shortage • Manna became the staple that sustained an entire generation \Jesus’ Own Link to the Manna\ John 6:32-35, 48-51; 58 (BSB excerpts): • “ It was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.” • “ I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger.” • “ This is the bread that came down from heaven… whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” \Five Clear Parallels Between Manna and Christ\ 1. Heaven-Sent - Manna: “bread from heaven” (Exodus 16:4) - Jesus: “came down from heaven” (John 6:38) 2. Daily Dependence - Manna had to be gathered each morning (Exodus 16:19-21) - Jesus calls believers to “abide” continually (John 15:4-5) 3. Sufficient for All - “He who gathered little had no lack” (Exodus 16:18) - Jesus satisfies every spiritual need (Philippians 4:19) 4. Not to Be Hoarded - Stored manna bred worms (Exodus 16:20) - Relationship with Christ is living and current, never a past relic (Hebrews 3:12-14) 5. Endurance Until Arrival - Manna stopped only when Israel entered Canaan (Joshua 5:12) - Christ sustains believers until we reach our eternal inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5) \Why the Forty Years Matter\ • Forty symbolizes testing; God proved His faithfulness every single day • Deuteronomy 8:3 connects the lesson: “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” • Jesus quoted this verse when resisting temptation (Matthew 4:4), underscoring that He Himself is that life-giving Word \The Greater Bread Brings Greater Life\ • Manna preserved physical life; Jesus grants eternal life (John 6:40) • Manna was limited to Israel; Jesus invites the world (John 3:16) • Manna ended; Jesus’ priesthood and provision are unending (Hebrews 7:24-25) \Living the Lesson Today\ • Come to Christ daily; yesterday’s intake is never enough • Trust His sufficiency in every wilderness season—He is faithful to feed until the journey ends • Share the Bread: as God provided freely, so we freely testify to Christ’s sustaining grace |
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