Feeding on the Word of God – John 6:51a

When Jesus multiplied the five loaves and fed the crowd, over 5,000 men (plus women and children) ate freely. They didn’t earn that bread. They didn’t pay for it. Jesus simply broke it, blessed it, and gave it to them. It was a gift. But even though it was given freely, it still required a response. Their role? Feeding on the bread, they had to eat it. And that simple act paints a powerful picture of what it looks like to be feeding on the Word of God today.

Think about it. They couldn’t just look at the bread and be filled. Smelling it wasn’t enough. Knowing what it was made of didn’t nourish them. Tasting just a bite or talking about it with friends couldn’t satisfy their hunger. They had to eat it.

It’s the same with God’s Word. We have full access to Scripture—more than ever before in history. But access isn’t the same as nourishment. You can know Bible stories, read a verse here and there, or share a quote online, but if you’re not feeding on it daily—really taking it in—you’ll stay spiritually hungry.

Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Just like our bodies need food, our souls need the truth and life found in Scripture.

So how do you begin feeding on the Word of God? Start small, but stay consistent. Read it. Meditate on it. Let it shape how you think and how you respond. If you need help getting started, check out this post on finding encouragement in God’s promises or this devotional on spiritual renewal.

The Word was given freely—now it’s your turn to take and eat. Don’t settle for looking at the truth from a distance. Dig in, every day. There’s more than enough for you.