After thinking about the gift of manna earlier, we jump ahead to Jesus’ temptation. He is hungry and in His own wilderness, a sequel of sorts to the hungry Israelites in the wilderness. Unlike the Israelites with their grumbling, Jesus withstands the test perfectly. And in true tempter’s fashion, Satan shows up when Jesus is hungry, alone, and weak.


Satan reminds Jesus that He can do anything, even turn stones to bread. Jesus already knows this but answers, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The beauty of this statement is that Jesus IS the word that comes from the mouth of God. We don’t live by it, as though following instructions. We live on it. It is what sustains us and feeds us!


Jesus tells His listeners that their forefathers ate manna in the desert yet died. But whoever eats the Bread of Life will live forever (see John 6:49-51). They ask Jesus for this special bread. To them (and us) He says, “You’re looking at it.” Behold… the true bread of Heaven.