“‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said…”

— Matthew 4:19

Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

— John 6:35

But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

— Matthew 4:4

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

— Matthew 11:28

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink.”

— John 7:37

But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

–John 4:14

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and mercy of Christ be with you!

Against the backdrop of the Bible, for most of the year in Israel food for sheep is scarce. For most of the time in a year, shepherds must lead their flocks great distance to keep them fed. Only for a short time after the rainy season pasture becomes lush. Only under these conditions can well-fed sheep lay down and rest. In the Bible metaphor food represents God’s truth. Jesus taught that the food that the soul lives on is every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Most of the water available to flocks in Israel is found at the bottom of deep wells. Therefore sheep and goats must completely rely upon their shepherds to give them water. In the Biblical metaphor water represents the Holy Spirit. Jesus called the Holy Spirit living water and promised anyone who drank of it that they would live forever and anyone who wanted to drink the Holy Spirit had to rely on Jesus because He was the only One that could give it to them. Amen! Praise the Lord!