The National tribune., 1891-08-13
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

40.
lone reading these notes should first carefully |
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as |
indicated aboye.l
SUBJECT: THE FREESEss OF SALVATION. |
REDEMPTION Is PRESENTED UNDER THE |
FIGURES OF BREAD AND WATER.
!. Data.
No other Gospel writer mentions these words |
OF Christ which We now study. Starting with |
Jesus as the Logos, The Word, st. John is con- |
stantly quoting tho words OF Christ. His Cos |
pei is specially deer to all Christians One |
reading it feels quite heart TO heart with his /
Savior. lie spake az never man spake.
2. Time and Place.
We date Saturday, March %, A. D. %. Ca !
pernaum IN synagog. g.: 59.)
3. Speaker.
We study words uttered by our Great
Teacher Christ. (Sec verse 26.) Ho spoke for
the ages aud we therefore are interested in
understanding him.
l. Audience.
Tho hearers are witnesses and sharers in the
feeding OF the 5000 men, besides women and
children. (6: l0.) The Apostles are also
hearers They were quite wholly Of the COM
mon people.
5. Figures Representing Jesus
Let Us notice more at length the symbols for
Christ. lie is bread-he is water Recall the
mamma in the wilderness of Sinai, tho water
flowing from Mount Horeb, the rock whence
issued the lfe-giving crystal streams the water
of life profered 10 the woman at Jacobs well.
| Christ plainly says, " / am the Bread OF Life
And verse 30 declares. the Bread Of God is he
which Cometh down from Heaven, and giyeth
life unto the world Jesus promised to those
who should come TO him that they should never
! hunger. ~ 35.) Further, he declared. he
ahql hFie
/ What power m this Bread! 1t is life-giving
to the inhabitants Of all places and times.
/ lN.33) ltlmparts everlasting life" (Y. 40.)
50 Of Christ, too, rs to water. (4:I4, To- Such
/ Bread aud Water arc foundation Of our Sayior's
/ beatitudc-" Blessed are they which do hun
/ ger and thirst after righteousness" Thank God
| for the promise appended" they shall be
/ filed" Matt, 8: g. How Christ meets our
! spiritual appctites! Hunger and thirst are
blessed conditions if only there DO food and
drink enough.
g. Salraiion for an.
The first great thought prevailing through
out the paragraph is the uHiCersaiify of saliva
tion. II is life 10 the world. %: 49, There
| is no Partially as 10 section of earth, class Of
people, condition OF applicants. Jesus "giveth
/ life unto the world" No nationality is over
booked. None are too poor to receive gift.
/ None are so obscure as not 10 be included in
the whole world" 1t is universal not only
! Is 10 subjects, but also as 10 time" never hun
per -" never thirst" (Y. 3d. Salvation is
forever satisfying. Hence, there is ground for
the prayer in Y. 81, Lord, evernoTe give us
this bread" no matter who comes; for none
/ who seek shall be east out ". 81 Such may
come at any time" cTeTmOre" Having sought
/ Christ, one may remain his forever" no wise
cast out always welcomed and entertained.
/ This universally Of salvation and continuance
| Of benefit are according 10 the will Of our
4
( ground for reliability and pcrmanence Gods
will is the law OF the universe and will forever
prevail. Christ shall lose nothing (Y. 3d.
No one need be abandoned. Each shall be re-
membcred all through his life. But, further,
we have proof Of care on till the last day, for
then the bodies Of deceased saints shall be re-
animated by the return Of their souls. (V. 4O.)
God will not forget us anywhere nor any time.
The universally or Christianity and the gem
erai applicability Of salvation are beautifully
pictured 10y the omblems employed to point TO
the Sayior-bTead aud water-the one, uniyer-
sal food; the other, universal drink.
z. Method Of Salratioa
The paragraph we study not only tells us of
the Bread and Water but also sets forth the
conditions for supply. We must pray for spirit
ual suslenanCe; say, Lord, eyermOre give us
this Bread ," forever be 10 us a Well Of Water.
III we hunger and thirst. our appetites cry ont
and will not permit US q rest without speedy
supply. IL we be- sensible OF wants for our
souls we shall not remain quiet, but find relief
and refTeshment in prayer. We must hunger
and thirst. tY. b. These are healthful con-
ditions A man who has lost his appetite for
meals feels concern and causes his friends
anxiety. To secure sustenance for our spiritual
natures, We must 90 TO Christ" cOmeth TO
me-" ~. 30: shall come To me-" ". 81
We must seek knowledge TO our Savior,
comprehend his work ia our sslyatiOn, approach
him in prayer. There is a sense in which we
must see Christ. ~. 49, We should behold
him, discern him, realize who he is and what
he does. But more than sight of Christ is
requisite. Tho jews saw him, tV. &c. but il
failed 20 benefit them Eye have seen me, but
believe not" We must credit Christ, accept his
doctrines, obey his laws, heed his threateHiugs,
trust his promises. act according 10 his wishes,
avail ourselves OF his help and merits, seek his
approval and guidance, follow his example.
6. Encouragement.
Sec what cucgrdgsmfHis there are as 10 saliva
ton. IL is for all. None need dispair tVs
80, 40) Your hunger and thirst shall be ap-
peased. Our Savior has promised food and
drinks Bread aud Water. Going 10 Christ
b. sure Of welcome. You will not be cast out
lY. 81 Have no apprehensiOns as 10 the
Father in tho matter Of salvation. Your re-
demption Is not only on the heart of Christ
but in the will Of God the Father Heaven
world he sent his Son. tl0:25, 90 Salvation
is certainty. (l7:12; 15: o. The Father
and Christ act jointly ia the work OF saving
souls. Never mind if you die. Death is not
the end. You are destined TO the resurrection
Of your bodies. You shall go forth from your
graves. ". 40J Your souls shall revisit their
wonted abodcs. Ard then you shall live for
ever. ~ 40 How much there is 10 en-
courage mortals in tho matter Of salvation.
Even the grave is not an obstacle. All Heaven
has become interested in our redemption and
parties more or less 90 its success. "The
i foundation Of God standcth sure having this
seal, The Lord kHOwcth them that are his
u IT,, 2 49,
Q. Illustrations.
The following lines so beautifully set forth
tho entire paragraph we study, we cheerfully
permit HoTatius Bonar to tell the story:
True Bread OF Life. In plying mercy given,
Long furnished souls 20 strengthen aud to- feed;
Christ Jesus Son Of God. true bread Of heaven,
Thy flesh Is meat, thy blood is drink indeed
I cannot famish, though this earth should fail.
Tho life through all its fields should pine and
die:
) Though the sweet yerdure should forsaIle each
vale.
! And every stream Of every land run dry.
True Tree Of I.ifel Office I eat and live.
Who eateth Of thy fruit shall never die;