Every day of a believer’s life, they are to find their spiritual nourishment in the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ. When the Children of Israel crossed the Jordan and entered the land of Canaan, they “did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the Passover” (Joshua 5:11). The “old corn” was the standing corn in Canaan, while the manna that they had grown accustomed to “ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more” (verse 12). Once they had food readily available, there was no need for the heavenly manna to continue to fall.
The difference between the old corn and the manna is a type of two periods in the life of Christ. The manna is representative of Jesus giving His flesh for mankind. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). This points to Christ’s life on earth, better called a “wilderness experience”. The manna was a necessity in the wilderness, but the believer is no longer a wanderer.
This is why the old corn represents something greater. You and I are eating from the standing corn, that which is a finished work. Food that befits our new place can be comprehended not in the lifestyle of Jesus, but in the final period of His life, His resurrection. “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you” (2 Corinthians 13:4).
As recipients of the New Covenant, you and I have new food for a new place. The old corn is Christ as risen and glorified of the Father, seated forever at God’s right hand. There is no need for a new revelation every day of our lives, though it is good to eat every day. Christ’s finished work is complete and the believer need only rest in it each day.
The Apostle Paul spoke of people in the church as being at different levels in their ability to consume spiritual food. He said that some were drinking “milk” when they ought to be eating “meat”. The manna would be considered the “milk”. In these individuals, they need something emotional and enormous everyday in order to function. There is a lack of spiritual development in them, and there is very little rest.
Other saints, of whom I hope you claim to be, are eating the “meat” of the covenant. They comprehend Christ’s finished work and revel in the power of the resurrected life. They do not need an emotional experience each and every day, for they rest even in the midst of storms.
You are in a new place today believer, so consume a new food. Knowing what Jesus would do in a situation is helpful, but there is more to living this life than knowing Jesus’ actions. Swallow by faith the meat of His resurrection, and let His life-giving power carry you as you grow in Him.
The difference between the old corn and the manna is a type of two periods in the life of Christ. The manna is representative of Jesus giving His flesh for mankind. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). This points to Christ’s life on earth, better called a “wilderness experience”. The manna was a necessity in the wilderness, but the believer is no longer a wanderer.
This is why the old corn represents something greater. You and I are eating from the standing corn, that which is a finished work. Food that befits our new place can be comprehended not in the lifestyle of Jesus, but in the final period of His life, His resurrection. “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you” (2 Corinthians 13:4).
As recipients of the New Covenant, you and I have new food for a new place. The old corn is Christ as risen and glorified of the Father, seated forever at God’s right hand. There is no need for a new revelation every day of our lives, though it is good to eat every day. Christ’s finished work is complete and the believer need only rest in it each day.
The Apostle Paul spoke of people in the church as being at different levels in their ability to consume spiritual food. He said that some were drinking “milk” when they ought to be eating “meat”. The manna would be considered the “milk”. In these individuals, they need something emotional and enormous everyday in order to function. There is a lack of spiritual development in them, and there is very little rest.
Other saints, of whom I hope you claim to be, are eating the “meat” of the covenant. They comprehend Christ’s finished work and revel in the power of the resurrected life. They do not need an emotional experience each and every day, for they rest even in the midst of storms.
You are in a new place today believer, so consume a new food. Knowing what Jesus would do in a situation is helpful, but there is more to living this life than knowing Jesus’ actions. Swallow by faith the meat of His resurrection, and let His life-giving power carry you as you grow in Him.
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