Nourishment for the soul A Reflection on John 6:41:55 on the Daily Bible Refresh hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

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In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

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Here's today's reading the reading from John 6:41 51 from the Message at this because he said, I am the bread that came down from heaven, the Jews started arguing over him.

Isn't this the son of Joseph?

Don't we know his Father?

Don't we know his mother?

How can he now say, I have come down out of heaven and expect anyone to believe him?

And Jesus said, don't bicker among yourselves over me.

You're not in charge here.

The Father who sent me is in charge.

He draws people to me.

That's the only way you'll ever come.

Only then do I do my work, putting people together so setting them on their feet, ready for the end.

This is what the prophets meant when they wrote.

And then they will all be personally taught by God.

Anyone who has spent any time at all listening to the Father, really listening and therefore learning comes to me to be taught personally, to see it with their own eyes, hear it with his own ears from me, since I have it firsthand from the Father.

No one has seen the Father except the one who has his being alongside the Father.

And you can see me.

I'm telling you the most solemn and sober truth now.

Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life.

I am the bread of life.

Your ancestors ate the manna bread in the desert and died.

But now here is bread that truly comes down out of heaven.

Anyone eating this bread will not die.

Ever.

I am the bread, living bread who came down out of heaven.

Anyone who eats this bread will live and forever the bread that I present to the world so that it can eat and live Is myself the flesh and blood self?

Well, my friend, in today's reflection we just have this profound metaphor about bread and life and about spiritual sustenance and divine connection.

Let's get into some points to ponder.

The first is about beyond limited perspectives.

The crowd's fixation on Jesus familiar human origins mirrors our tendency to limit God's presence to our comfortable understanding.

Progressive faith invites us to move beyond binary thinking and and recognize that sacred truth often transcends our conventional categories.

Jesus's identity isn't confined to either human or divine.

It embraces a both.

And a second profound point is about universal spiritual education.

Jesus speaks of being, quote, personally taught by God.

This suggests that divine wisdom isn't exclusive to religious institutions or traditional or traditional authority figures.

This democratization of spiritual learning affirms that everyone has direct access to divine truth, regardless of their formal religious education or institutional affiliations.

The third point is about living sustenance.

The metaphor here of living bread speaks to spirituality that sustains real life.

Unlike the temporary manna of religious legalism or dogma, this living sustenance transforms our present reality.

It's not about future rewards or escape from this world, but about finding nourishment that enables us to fully engaged with life.

Now here's your action step.

Practice sacred nourishment awareness that is before each meal, pause to consider what truly feeds not only your body but your soul, what sustains your spirit.

Make A list of 3 non material sources of nourishment in your life.

It might be relationships or some creative outlet or reading the Bible or nature connection and intentionally engage in one of them.

Today we're going to pray here in just a minute.

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Let's pray.

Oh God, you are a source of life and love.

And when we try to put your mystery in a box, expand our vision beyond familiar boundaries.

When we speak spiritual nourishment, help us find it in unexpected places.

In our hunger for meaning and connection.

Remind us that you feed us through many channels.

Through relationships that challenge us to grow.

Through questions that deepen our understanding, through moments of wonder that fills our souls.

Thank you for sustaining us not just for some future heaven, but for a vibrant life today.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refreshment.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.