manna - god’s faithfulness (part two)
If you haven’t read “Part One” of this post reflecting on Manna – God’s Faithfulness, I encourage you to read that one first, as it sets the stage and the context for what is continued here. Go ahead, read it. I’ll still be here when you get back.
Welcome back!
In 1 Corinthians chapter 10 the apostle Paul highlights for the congregation in Corinth a truth that still rings true for us today, “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ…now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did…these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us…”
The passover, the exodus, the wilderness wandering, the miraculous provision of manna, the provision of water from the rock – all examples for us, written down as warnings; don’t miss what the signs and miracles are communicating, the truth being communicated – oh, and the person they are pointing to!
All 4 gospels record the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 – the multiplication of the loaves and fishes – but it’s the gospel of John chapter 6 where the story is expanded with greater detail enabling his audience to connect the spiritual dots, so to speak. Manna, bread from heaven, God’s miraculous provision for his people was pointing to the true bread of life, the living bread that came down from heaven. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty…the one who believes has eternal life.”
Fast forward with me to the upper room, the night Jesus was betrayed. He’s celebrating the Passover with his disciples – when he takes bread in his hands (don’t miss this!) the bread of life takes the bread of the Passover meal in his hands, gives thanks, breaks it and gives it to his disciples saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!
Scholars are still working to corroborate the date of the Exodus – there are two camps; early date (1446BC) and late date (1225BC). Most scholars agree that Jesus died in 33AD. Either way you slice it there was a LONG time between manna in the wilderness and the bread of life that came down from heaven. What’s the point? I’m glad you asked.
Over the course of the 511,000 days (early date) or the 438,000 days (late date) between the Exodus and Jesus’ death – between God’s provision of manna in the wilderness and the bread of life that came down from heaven; the living bread of eternal life – God was faithful to his promises! One day at a time for 511,000 days.
Fast forward with me to today. It’s 2025. Which means we are 1,992 years after Jesus’ death, or 727,080 days (and counting) and God has been faithful to his promises! One day at a time for 727,080 days (and counting).
We started in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 with the apostle Paul presenting and important truth to the congregation in Corinth – one he didn’t want them to miss – and it comes in verse 13, “No testing/temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tested/tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested/tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
What’s the truth? God is faithful! Provided manna and water in the wilderness – the food that perishes. Provided living bread and water in Jesus – the food that endures to eternal life. And this same God will not let you be tested/tempted beyond what you can bear – he will provide the way out so you can endure it. Day by day. One day at a time. God is faithful!
Of the many things that I think about and reflect on each week in worship, during communion, when I’m holding bread and cup in my hands, when I’m about to eat this spiritual food – the bread of life and the cup of redemption is this; God is faithful to his promises. Day by day. One day at a time. God provides what I need; and it’s enough. Day by day. One day at a time. God is faithful!
I’ll see you, down the road.
