From Arepa to Zwieback — The Bread of Life

“Man does not live by bread alone” (Mt. 4:4), but he also does not live long without it. To eat is to acknowledge our dependence on food and each other. It also reminds us of other kinds of emptiness that not even an “all you can eat buffet” can touch. 

A quick online search of bread will introduce you to hundreds of varieties, from the South American Arepa made with ground cornmeal to crispy sweet Zwieback, a German favorite made with eggs and baked twice. Here at home, I’m sure some of you are fans of Ezekiel bread, the most popular sprouted grain bread you’ll find in many large grocery stores. Baked by a company called “Food for Life,” Ezekiel Bread differs from most other brands. It’s made from a healthy mix of sprouted whole grains and beans. And contrary to popular belief, it does not taste like cardboard, sawdust, or stale saltine crackers.

When Jesus spoke of His flesh and blood as food for…