Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-07
Sunday School Lesson for March Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
F, American Society of Religious Education
JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE. John. vi:2a-s,

concerning Himself. As God gave the
mamma. so He had now given the true
bread tJohn. iii:1G. the one an emblem
of the other Then follows (verse 33) a
remarkable statement setting forth the
origin. character and mission of Jesus. as
coming from heaven to give life unto the
world. The assertion evidently startled
HIS hearers. With desire not unlike
that of the Samaritan woman at the we'll
John iv:15). they besought Jesus to give
them that bread.
SUFFICIENT PORTION.-Evidently
the people did not fully comprehend the
savior's words. although they had broken
forth In expression Of earnest desire
Hence. further instruction was needed
me bread Just mentioned was not some
thing bestowed by Jesus. as they seemed
TO think. but it was Jesus. One must
feed on Him. be made a partaker of Him
by faith John. vi:5D This was a purely
spiritual act to be accomplished by each
individual for himself. One must come
to Jesus. accepting His invitation Matt,
xl:2s. I'D The mode of that coming was
not explained but the result was az
f1rmed-hunger and thirst. the earnest
longings OF the soul. shall be satisfied
the chief point in these verses. 1t is
evident that the coming and the believing
are synonymous terms. for Jesus used
them INTERCHANGEABLE in verses SO and
80, declaring that the people did not be-
lieve and that all given by the Father
would come. This last expression Is
taken by many to teach the doctrine OF
election; by others it is supposed to indi-
cate the influence of the Eoly Spirit that
helps men to believe.
FATHERS WILL-The connective
Tor shows that the closing verses OF
our lesson are intended to throw light on
verse 81. in which 1t is asserted that those
given by the Father would be accepted.
That fact rests In three other facts: 1,
That Jesus came from Heaven to do the
Will OF Him who sent Him-came as a
representative or agent under Instructions
which were to be faithfully executed
John. xvii:4. subordinating Himself to
the Fathers great purpose; 2, that 1t was
the Fathers will. antecedently determined,
that the mission of Jesus should not be a
failure. that 1t should result in the saliva
ton of all those who should be given to
Him John. xvii:12). who should be raised
up at the last day: 3. that 1t was the
further purpose OF the Father to give
everlasting life to all who believe in the
Son. In these three statements. which
would be vSriously explained by theo-
log1ans. we have the ground Of assurance
that Jesus Christ is the appointed Savior
of all who come to Him. and that He is
such because Of the Fathers will. or pur-
pose. conceived in infinite wisdom.
MURMURS.-The remark of Christ
concerning himself awakened surprise in
the minds of those who heard Him and
led to a fuller explanation, which need
not here be amplified.
seven principles-f1ve loaves and two
fishes-by which to regulate their conduct.
They labor necessarily. anxiously and
wholly for perishing vanities until death
convinces them of their folly Rom, xvi:
1S. Their search for Christ is in the
hope of temporal gain. 2. While we must
toll for necessaries and comforts Oh
Thess.. iii:1O), that only is worthy of
chief regard and primary diligence which
will endure Matt, vi:1O) and may be en-
joyed in the life to come. 3. Habitual
faith in Jesus Christ, as our only and all
sufficient Savior. Is the most important,
indispensable and arduous part of the
obedience required Of men Rom., i:5).
Faith In Jesus Christ is that attitude or
condition upon which He imparts life to
the soul John. vi:4D. AS unbelief sepa-
rates. so faith unites Eph., iii:1O, and
becomes the source Of righteousness f.
When joined to Christ by faith, the soul
receives nourishment and support from
Him. Pardon, peace, hope, communion
all that Gains the conscience, purifies and
cheers the heart or promotes growth, il
freely given by Him. And this is life,
real life. the true life of spiritual man.
everlasting life, begun in this world and
continued In the next world. S. The SYM
Dol OF bread here employed to express the
soul-satisfying portion which Is in Christ,
was made permanent in the sacrament
John, vi:5D. All who partake of It de-
clare that their life Is from Him and in