我在非裔美籍家庭中長大，家中的餐點經常有美味的「靈魂食物」。這個詞彙起源於1960年代中期，那時「靈魂」是形容非裔美國人文化的常用詞語。這些靈魂食物包括炸雞、起司通心粉、青菜、地瓜、玉米麵包等。甜點是額外的獎勵，我最愛的是令人垂涎的水蜜桃派。那真是一場美食盛宴！

不同文化中的美食盛宴各有不同，但由於食物對生命至關重要，因此在約翰福音6章35節，耶穌所說的話對每個人來說都深具意義：「我就是生命的糧，到我這裡來的，必定不餓；信我的，永遠不渴。」

這些話若是出自一個普通人的口，必定令人難以接受。但耶穌基督能做出如此驚人的宣告，因為祂真是上帝的兒子。那時，有許多人為了耶穌所行的神蹟而跟隨祂（參閱2、14、26、30節），耶穌告訴這些只尋求眼前短暫好處的人說，光是填飽肚子是不夠的。耶穌作為上帝的兒子，祂是真正生命的源頭（14章6節），也是生命的維繫者。所有相信祂藉著死與復活而賜下赦罪恩典的人（11章25-26節），都能得到祂所賜的新生命。耶穌是我們靈魂不可或缺的糧食，唯有在祂裡面，我們才能得到生命、滋養與真正的滿足。

In the African American home I was raised in, meals often included scrumptious “soul food.” The term originated in the mid-1960s when “soul” was a common term used to describe African American culture. Soul food menu items included fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, sweet potatoes, corn bread, and more. Desserts were a bonus; the “tastebud-tickling” peach cobbler was the most satisfying to me. What a feast!

Feasting in different cultures looks different, but because food is essential for life, Jesus’ words in John 6:35 are significant for all people: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Such claims as these would be outrageous if they were made by a mere human being. But Jesus, the Christ, could make such astounding claims because He’s the very Son of God. He told “sign-seekers”—those seeking immediate, short-term benefit (see vv. 2, 14, 26, 30)—that satisfaction of physical hunger wasn’t enough. As the Son of God, Jesus is the source of true life (14:6) and the sustainer of life. All those who believe in Him for the forgiveness of sins through His death and resurrection (11:25-26) share His life. Jesus is the essential food for the soul. Life, nourishment, and true satisfaction are found in Him alone.