Anchor My Faith

Our Daily Bread

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-11, 13; Luke 11:2, 4

In the previous lesson we covered the third petition which was “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In this lesson we will look at the fourth petition which is “Give us this day our daily bread.”

^{Lk 11:2} “And he said to them, “When you pray, say: ^{Mt 6:9} Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ^{Lk 11:4} and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. ^{Mt 6:13} And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”’

At a first glance, “Give us this day our daily bread” would seem to be a request for God to supply what we need to eat each day, but is that all it means? A review of commentaries reveals that a strange obscurity hangs over these words that are so familiar to us. The word translated “daily” is found nowhere else, with the one exception and that being the parallel passage in Luke 11:3, and so it seems that it must have been coined for use here and meaning “Bread sufficient for our sustenance or support.” but to what extent?

Considering the context of this prayer and the fact that in the teachings of Jesus there is often a physical and spiritual component. Beginning with Moses, we see a physical component: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ⁴ “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not” (Exodus 16:4 – 21). On a daily basis God provided for their needs, providing a double portion on the sixth day to cover the seventh.

Moving ahead to Jesus, we find him feeding the five thousand men plus women and children (Matthew 14:13 – 21). Then in John 6:25 – 59, we find Jesus claiming to be the bread the came down from heaven, the bread of life: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Jesus provided physical bread and then to many of these same people, he later claims to be the bread they need to eat spiritually.

I believe there is a daily, physical element to the meaning of “daily bread” but I believe more importantly there is the spiritual element that we all so desperately need. For example, when Jesus responded to the devil in the wilderness, he responded in Matthew 4:4 ESV: “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”’ In John 4:32, Jesus applies these words in “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Then in John 6:25 – 59, Jesus claims to be that bread. In Matthew 6:23 – 33, Jesus brings both together by telling us to not be anxious about what we shall eat and drink, and instead of seeking these things seek simply the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Conclusion

“Give us this day our daily bread” is much more than the food we eat each day that we work for. It is to include the nourishment needed for our souls. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16 ESV). ¹¹ “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ¹² Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! ¹³ With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. ¹⁴ In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. ¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. ¹⁶ I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (Psalm 119:11 – 16 ESV). What does your daily bread include?