Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, 'Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Jesus was given many titles in the New Testament, but the one used most, is 'Son of Man'. In today's short reading Jesus says we must work for food that endures, that the Son of Man will give us. So what is the significance of this term? Well it emphasises his humanity - that he was born as a man - as opposed to the title 'Son of God' which emphasises his godliness. It was a well known title - God calls the prophet Ezekiel more than 90 times using the words 'son of man' or 'mortal' as transcribed in some Bibles. It is also a humble title - that the Second figure of the Trinity was born in a stable, and lived and died for his people. This title also identifies Jesus as the ultimate example of perfect humanity that God intended when He planned our world. But it also links with prophecy, for it reminded the people of Daniel's words about the coming Messiah (Daniel 7.13-14).

Jesus knows that those who hear his words are not just hungry for physical food, but also have a spiritual hunger, which only he can fulfill for God has 'set His seal' on him. Just as in the Anglican Church today a priest or deacon is given a licence with the Bishop's seal upon it to authenticate their ordination, so God set his seal of approval upon Jesus. It is he that will feed us spiritually when we believe and trust in Him.

Son of Man and Son of God,
we get so involved with
day to day things
that we can put our spiritual needs
on the back burner.
This Lent may we review
our spiritual health,
and renew our faith in You
for we know we can do
little for ourselves.
Amen.