THE BRIDGE

THE BRIDGE

"Food is the bridge that keeps us in the natural world. When fasting, we cross that bridge and become more attentive to the spiritual."

In the garden, the first temptation centred on food. The fruit itself was not evil, but eating it represented humanity stepping into independence from God.

Then, in the wilderness, Jesus also faced temptation after fasting. Again, food was at the centre.

"If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."

His answer was not that bread was wrong. It was:

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

The contrast was not food versus no food.

It was what governs us.

In the garden, humanity reached for food apart from dependence upon God.

In the wilderness, Jesus remained dependent upon the Father even while hungry.

Food therefore becomes a profound symbol.

We need food because we live in physical bodies. Eating is good; it is part of God's creation. Yet fasting quietens one of the body's strongest daily demands. For many people, this creates space to become more attentive to God—not because fasting transports us into another realm, but because it turns our attention towards Him.

Before humanity fell, there was already food in the garden. After His resurrection, Jesus ate with His disciples. In the New Jerusalem, the Tree of Life still bears fruit.

Perhaps the deepest bridge is not that food separates the natural from the spiritual, but that food reveals the relationship between the two. The issue throughout Scripture is never the existence of food. It is whether we receive it in dependence upon God or apart from Him.

The bridge has never been food itself.

The bridge has always been dependence upon the One who created the food.

And beyond dependence lies relationship.

The Father's desire has never simply been that we depend upon Him for provision, but that we know Him. His purpose has always been relationship—dwelling in Him, and He in us.

Jesus prayed that we would be where He is. The bridge does not end with fasting or even with dependence. It leads us into complete relationship with the Father.

God's end goal has never been merely obedient people or spiritually disciplined people, but sons and daughters living in relationship with Him.