The Bread of Heaven

based on John 6

They asked him about the Bread of Heaven. And so he told them:

"There's no work that can earn it. There's no sin that can't be overcome by it. If you are in it you can't resist it. If you want it you won't be denied it. Moses didn't give it. He merely told them about it. For it was the Father who gave them manna And in a place they couldn't make it. And now, even as you hunger, I am telling you that you are looking at it. I am the bread come down from heaven. The bread which nourishes, Satisfies, sustains -- upon which you can rely, To which he testifies. Don't go spending your work and your toil on food that will spoil. I am the bread. The bread of all fulfilling, The Cosmic Gospel-filling, The fast-ending feast. A table set for the least. I have come to end the slow, hard, soul-famine And give thrilling, life, joy, and peace. And all fear ended. I tell you, I am the bread of heaven.”

Now, are you hungry yet? Do you want that filling? Tired yet of that life you are killing yourself for And your spouse and mother and father and friend? He's the bread come down from heaven. The bread of God unleavened. Pierced and scored in the furnace of affliction, Bearing for us, God's malediction. Cursed for our benediction. Given for you and your Cosmic Hunger-Thirsting. Given for you--to you. It's him, I'm telling you.

He feeds, nourishes, satisfies, justifies, makes holy and does it solely. The door is wide open. If to him you've been given, Give in. He's gonna win 'Cause the Father has called you--the Spirit will draw you. Believe in him. Receive him. Look to him.

Are you hungry yet? Afraid you've been left out of the feast? Afraid you're the least? He said, "Whoever." That's not you? Never! He said, “Whoever comes I will never drum out of line — drive away. Come while there's time." "I am the bread of heaven," he said. "And it's the will of him who sent me That I should lose none of those he's given me. But I shall win for them a standing in eternity One long, glorious Olympic victory. Forever singing the anthem, 'Worthy, worthy, is the Lamb that was slain!'" Praise Jesus name. His love-banner flying overhead in his house of wine. The love we'll proclaim and enjoy for all time. Eternal banquet filling and life And telling: we believed. But with the angels shaking, Stumped, a new breaking in a glorious humility A person quake, Shaking our heads, saying, "Who would've believed, that he was the bread Even for me?"

He said, "I am the bread of heaven." Do you hunger? Do you wonder, “Will I ever be satisfied?" Believe. Believe in the Son who is himself now alive Even though crucified. And even if you die or have died, On that the last day you'll be there Alive. Justified. Sanctified. Glorified. Alive. And full for time upon time With the Bread of Heaven. artwork: Manna, illuminated manuscript, 1244 to 1254, The Crusader Bible, MS M.638 (fol. 9v), Pierpont Morgan Library of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, New York.