Food from Heaven

<p>In August 2020, residents of Olten, Switzerland, were startled to find that it was snowing chocolate! A malfunction in the ventilation system of the local chocolate factory had caused chocolate particles to be diffused into the air. As a result, a dusting of edible chocolate flakes covered cars and streets and made the whole town smell like a candy store.</p> <p>When I think of delicious food &ldquo;magically&rdquo; falling from the heavens, I can&rsquo;t help but think of God&rsquo;s provision for the people of Israel in Exodus. Following their dramatic escape from Egypt, the people faced significant challenges in the desert, especially a scarcity of food and water. And God, moved by the plight of the people, promised to &ldquo;rain down bread from heaven&rdquo; (Exodus 16:4). The next morning, a layer of thin flakes appeared on the desert ground. This daily provision, known as manna, continued for the next forty years.</p> <p>When Jesus came to earth, people began to believe He was sent from God when He miraculously provided bread for a large crowd (John 6:5&ndash;14). But Jesus taught that He himself was the &ldquo;bread of life&rdquo; (John 6:35), sent to bring not just temporary nourishment but eternal life (v. 51).</p> <p>For those of us hungry for spiritual nourishment, Jesus extends the offer of unending life with God. May we believe and trust that He came to satisfy those deepest longings.</p>