The Bread of Life comes with a choice.

Published: Aug. 22, 2021, 10 a.m.

Reporters and writers are often looking for sound bites—short, attention-grabbing statements they can turn into a headline. When Jesus spoke—whether to massive crowds or just his closest followers, he didn’t give them unsatisfying samples of his divine wisdom. With his words, he always aimed to leave his hearers full. This week we hear Jesus confront us with the difficult truth that we can only satisfy the hunger of our souls with one thing. Jesus’ words force us to choose between life with him or life without him. However, because his words are full of life and the Spirit’s power, this choice is really no choice at all. By offering his blessings fully and freely to all, the most important choice—Jesus’ choice—has already been made.