Daily Bread

Returning our attention to the model prayer, we note that it consists of seven petitions; the first three relate to their God (three being the divine number) and four concerning the personal needs of the ones praying (four being the number of creation). The fourth petition briefly addresses the believer’s concern about daily needs: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11a).  This brief statement is the only part of the prayer that relates to one’s physical needs. It does not ask for weekly or monthly bread. It does not seek permanent security for life. Later in the passage, Jesus developed the folly of unwarranted concern over these necessities (vv. 25–34). “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (v. 25). Christ-followers are to leave the concerns about their daily needs in the hands of their loving Heavenly Father.

Bread is used symbolically of what is necessary to sustain life, both physically and spiritually. Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 51). John 6 records the miraculous multiplication of a boy’s simple lunch of five biscuits and two sardines by which a hungry multitude was fully satisfied. Afterward, the people sought Him out again, but He rebuked them, “You are seeking me, not because you saw signs [proof of my Messianic office], but because you ate your fill of the loaves” (John 6:26). In other words, the people were not seeking Jesus to be their Savior and Lord; they just wanted the food He could provide for their empty stomachs.

People generally tend to be far more concerned about their physical wellbeing than their status with God. The gospel is about eternal life. Although one needs food, raiment, and shelter in this life, these things have only temporary value if one does not have eternal life. “Our daily bread doth but fatten us as lambs for the slaughter if our sins be not pardoned” (Matthew Henry). Therefore, Jesus urged, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27).

The will of God, for which we are to pray in the third petition, was the driving consideration of the Savior’s life. He said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). God’s will must likewise be the motivation of all He creatures. Jesus concluded, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40). Eternal life is the greatest need and Jesus is the Bread that satisfies that need. “This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (John 6:50, 51).