FINAL DAY 21 – Daily Bread is More Than We Realize | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

2023-02-20

Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily breadGod is a God of provision and detail. Jesus stated that the hairs on our head (or lack thereof!) are numbered (Luke 12:7). This is a saying meant to convey God’s deep concern for His children.This part of Jesus’ instruction to His disciples on prayer was very simple, but there is profound truth behind it. Some of explanations of this text include (From William Barclay’s Commentary on the New Testament):1. The bread has been identified with the bread of the Lord's Supper.2. The bread has been id...

Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily bread

God is a God of provision and detail. Jesus stated that the hairs on our head (or lack thereof!) are numbered (Luke 12:7). This is a saying meant to convey God’s deep concern for His children.

This part of Jesus’ instruction to His disciples on prayer was very simple, but there is profound truth behind it. Some of explanations of this text include (From William Barclay’s Commentary on the New Testament):

1. The bread has been identified with the bread of the Lord's Supper.

2. The bread has been identified with the spiritual food of the word of God. Taken to be a prayer for the true teaching, the true doctrine, the essential truth as our food.

3. The bread has been taken to stand for Jesus Himself. Jesus called himself the bread of life (John 6:33-35)

4. The bread has been taken to be the bread of the heavenly kingdom. Luke tells how someone said to Jesus: “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” (Luke 14:15).

“Daily” Bread Has a Special Meaning

The Greek word “daily” is only used here and in Luke’s Gospel of the same prayer: ἐπιούσιος – epiousios

In the early part of the 20th Century a papyrus fragment (a material which people used for writing) was found with the Greek word, ἐπιούσιος, on it. The papyrus fragment was actually a shopping list! It was a note to remind the person to buy supplies of a certain food for the coming day.

From this context, the literal meaning of “daily bread” is: “Give me the things we need to eat for this coming day.”

This simple prayer for our everyday needs reveals FIVE truths:

1. We understand that God cares for our bodies. Jesus showed us that; he spent so much time healing men's diseases and satisfying their physical hunger.

2. We understand to live one day at a time, and not to worry and be anxious about the distant and unknown future.

3. Praying for daily provision puts God His proper place in our lives.

4. This pray reminds us of how prayer works.

5. Jesus did not teach us to pray: “Give ME my daily bread.” He taught us to pray: “Give US our daily bread.”

The problem of hunger in our world is not a lack of provision. There is enough to go around. The problem is a lack of distribution. This prayer teaches us never to be selfish in our prayers.

It is a prayer that we can help answer by being obedient to God and showing the same level of concern/detail for the needs of others as for ourselves. This prayer is not only a prayer that we may receive our daily bread; it is also a prayer that we may share daily bread with others.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

How has your understanding of Give us this day our daily bread been expanded? What will it change in your lifestyle?

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Here is the link to ALL 21 LESSONS from the Devotional

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