The grain-to-bread process is a demanding one. The seed must be planted before it can grow. When the grain is ripe, it must be cut down and ground into flour. Before it can become bread, it must pass through the oven. Bread is the end result of planting, harvesting and heating.
Jesus endured an identical process. He was born into this world. He was cut down, bruised and beaten on the threshing floor of Calvary. He passed through the fire of God's wrath, for our sake. He "suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all and was put to death and then made alive to bring us to God.
Bread of Life? Jesus lived up to the title, but an unopened loaf does a person no good. Have you received the bread? Have you received God's forgiveness?
[Max Lucado]
1 Peter 3:18 … For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
1 Peter 2:24 … Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Colossians 1:14 … In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins;
John 6:51 … I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. ♥
