By Petey Prater
Patricia ran away at 13.
Drug addiction, an out of wedlock baby, and the murder of her infant son by a
boyfriend plunged her into despair. Caught stealing, she landed in jail. Drugs masked the self-loathing that haunted
her. Now, without access to drugs, Patricia’s bitterness exploded in her empty
soul.
In her cell, shattered and
hopeless, Patricia cried, “God, if you can hear me, if you’re real, help me,
save me. I’m sorry for my rebellion. My life’s a mess; change me, lift me out
of this hell.”
Instantly God and peace
invaded Patricia’s life! Jesus’ wrapped her in love and lifted her into
cleansing light. Her anger and bitterness melted away. Locked behind prison
bars Patricia found freedom. Someone gave her a Bible and the starving rebel
ate the Bread of Life. Jesus became her best friend. Gradually truth replaced
lies and confusion.
When her prison term ended,
Godly friends helped Patricia enter a Christian rehabilitation program and earn
a college degree. During a recent musical at our church, standing in her place
in the choir, Patricia told thousands about her soul food, Jesus. Transformed –
from angry addict to victorious believer!
Jesus declared: “I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never go hungry….” John 6:35
Natural bread sustains our physical body. Christ, heavenly bread, feeds our spirit. In Old Testament times, God rained manna upon Moses and the Hebrews in the desert. In the New Testament Jesus is our daily spiritual bread, our manna come down from heaven.
Jesus said to them: “I tell you the truth,
it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father
who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes
down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32,33
In the Old Testament priests brought wheat
flour to God as offerings for the people’s sin. In the New Testament this wheat
is a picture of Jesus, the Bread of Life, offered for our sin. His suffering
and death on the cross purchased forgiveness for our sin. With his death he
paid the price for all sin and won eternal life for anyone who will trust him.
If we believe in him he promises we will live forever.
“I am the living bread…. If
anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which
I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51
Jesus our living bread has become soul food
for all people. Are we hungry? Let’s not allow unbelief, rebellion or
carelessness keep us from Jesus and eternal life. Let’s choose him, eat His
truth and live.
Petey Prater writes from Beaverton, Oregon.
peteyprater@yahoo.com