Two of the most needed substances for life are food (bread) and water. We cannot go too long without either of the substances before we die. With one we can go longer without then without the other; that is we can last longer on food then with water. A women by the name of Rita Chretian survived for 47 days on granola bars and water from a stream nearby as she and her husband were misguided by their gps and were stranded. Elijah went for 40 days and 40 nights on one meal to the mountain of God, because of fear for his life (1kg19:7-8). Food and water not only fuels our bodies but our brains as well. It affects our emotions and even our relationships with others as well as with God, because food and water is our source for life. There are many types of foods, but the bible when it mentions food it categorizes it to the basic bread. Our source for survival does not come without a price the bible tells us that if anyone does not work he should not eat (2thes3:10). Because God knows that we cannot live without food and water, He put that same emphasis on his Son of which we cannot live without.
John 6:47-51
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world
To the Jews, the manna that was given to their ancestors in the wilderness was just substance with no significance, but its symbolism was typifying much more. This manna that came down was a symbol of the living bread that came from God, Jesus. John records seven “I am” statements from Jesus declaring himself equal to the God, and this “I am the bread of life” gives reference to him being the very substance of life for man. Just as we cannot go on in life without food we cannot go on without Christ. Now, this bread of life that Jesus refers to is eternal life, and in order for anyone to have eternal life they need to eat of Christ. But, before anyone can eat of Christ there is one catch; he needs to over come. One might ask, overcome what? We need to overcome unbelief. Like this father who brought his son to Jesus’ disciples because he was possessed with a demon, but they could not cast it out; because of unbelief of the father (Mk9:23-24). The Jews became enraged with this saying of eating Christ, but Jesus made it clear that whoever ate his flesh has eternal life (Jh6:53-55). His flesh is just one meal time for eternity, but his blood is a continual drink, because his blood cleanses us of all sin.