John 6: 27 – 35 ( Jesus, the Bread of Life. )

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, 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 the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

My first experience of Harvest Festival was in my first year of theological college. I visited a number of churches during late September and early October. I vividly remember the rich autumn sun shining through stained glass windows and lighting up the churches’ ancient stonework. I remember beautiful flowers and produce displays bringing together the yellow, orange, red, green and brown colours of nature. This was the Church of England at its best – homely, sentimental and spiritual all in one. That was 1979. Forty one years later I still love the Festival. I do realise, however, that I need to go beyond the nostalgia and have some serious thoughts about the season.

Starting on a light note I think back over all my efforts at growing edible things. Over the years I have had moderate success at growing spinach, potatoes, courgettes beans and strawberries. I have failed at growing carrots, cauliflowers, blackcurrants and raspberries. This reminds me that if it weren’t for the skills of others my dinner plate would be incredibly boring. Despite the complexities of commerce life is a huge ‘Bring & Share’ with each one of us contributing what we can in order to give everyone a full experience of life. 

My second thought is that over the past forty one years there have been great advances in agricultural innovation. Sadly, however, there has not been any radical new way of living that might eradicate hunger in our world. We have sung ‘Feed the World’, but we haven’t. Therefore, I resolve to do something this Harvest Festival time to give the hungry more food to eat. 

My final thought takes me to our Bible Reading for this week where Jesus claims to be the ‘Bread of Life’. I have always taken this statement for granted. I immediately think of the words in the Communion Service, ‘Feed on him (Jesus) in your hearts with thanksgiving’. But looking at the Bible passage again, I notice that Jesus says we are to work for this life-giving food. This thought leads me to wonder what ‘Feeding on Jesus in my heart’ really entails. As I dwell on this, I note that Jesus is offering me something that I can’t grow myself, no can anyone else provide it for me. He is offering you and me a food source that we cannot find anywhere else. And we need to work for it. This does not mean that we have to earn it, but it does mean that we have to put effort into receiving it, digesting it and putting its benefits to good use. As ever, we reap what we sow.