SUSTENANCE

Sustenance

The life possessed by human beings is not only a derived life, that is, a life obtained from an external source, but it is a dependent life, requiring continual sustenance. It must be sustained by constant and suitable nutrition, received into the body at short intervals. This food must be organic matter, that is to say, matter which has once been living. Man is not and has never been able to make his food from inorganic matter although it is readily available. This should teach him humility, but it seems not to have that effect. God has left this work to His creation. Cf. Psa. 104:14. “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.”

Christ reveals Himself in John 6:35, 48, 51, 63 as the bread of life, our great spiritual nourisher. His words are spirit, and they are our life. The word of God is living and like other organic living substance has the property of furnishing nutrition, and thereby sustaining life. Physical food comes up out of the earth [Psa. 104:14], while spiritual food comes down out of heaven [John 6:50.] “This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.”

Sheep need fed. 1 Pet. 2:1, 2. ".....As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."The Lord knew they need spiritual nutrition. This food must come from a living source.