I Am the Bread of Life
I am the Bread of Life
The hymn presents Christ's self-identification from John 6 as central to Lutheran sacramental theology, emphasizing that faith in Christ as the Bread of Life brings eternal nourishment and resurrection. It connects the Last Supper promise to the ongoing sustenance believers receive through Christ in Word and Sacrament.
History & Background
Suzanne Toolan composed this contemporary hymn in 1966 with both text and tune, drawing directly from John 6. The hymn has become widely used in ecumenical worship settings and appears in numerous hymnals including ELW and contemporary worship collections.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 387
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 485
- Gather 4th Edition — 1008
- Glory to God — 518
- The Hymnal 1982 — 335
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 413
- New Century Hymnal — 340
- United Methodist Hymnal — 628
- Voices Together — 464
Bulletin Note
Composed by Suzanne Toolan in 1966, this hymn grounds sacramental life in Christ's own words from John 6, uniting baptismal and eucharistic theology in a single, singable proclamation of grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's central claim: Christ's flesh and blood, given for us, become our living bread—transforming the Last Supper from command into gift, and demanding from us nothing but the faith to receive.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Fourth Petition Small Catechism — The Lord's Prayer
Themes
Eucharist Christ as sustenance Faith and belief Eternal life Sacramental nourishment