chapter seven
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
I
am the bread of life: if you come to me, you will never again hunger
spiritually; and if you believe in me, you will never again know
spiritual thirst. Rise up! Take hold of the living bread, the spiritual
bread that has come down from heaven: if you eat of this bread,
you will live forever. The bread that I offer you is my life, which
I give for the life of the world. I am the bread of life come down
from heaven, that you may feast on spiritual food, and because of
this receive spiritual life and not die.
All
of your energies are spent in the pursuit of food that perishes;
instead, seek spiritual food that will endure forever. This is the
food that I long to give you, for God the Father has given me this
power.
Since
childhood, you have heard the story of how your ancestors ate manna
in the desert; but that was long ago, and now they are ancient memories.
In spite of those miracles, Moses was not able to provide the true
bread of heaven, that which my Father is offering to you now. For
the bread of God is embodied in the one who is speaking to you,
who has come down from heaven, and offered his own life for the
world.
If
you understood this, you would beg me to give you living water as
well; for whoever drinks natural water soon thirsts again, but whoever
drinks of the water that I give will discover a well that springs
up within, overflowing with eternal life.
Are
you thirsting spiritually? Come to me and drink; for they that believe
in me, as it has been written, "Out of their innermost being
will flow rivers of living water."
turn to chapter eight: THE NEW KINGDOM
bonus audio track: Abiodun Oyewole's recording of FOOD FOR THE SOUL
In the early 2000's, Abiodun Oyewole, founding member of The Last Poets made an
audio recording of his reading The Words. Music was added by producer Andre Bell.
The complete recordings are available on this site.
Click on link to listen to the entire session.
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