The log cabin Democrat., 1908-03-05
Jesus the Bread of Life Sunday School Lesson for March 8, 1908
Specially Prepared for This Paper

son, when Jesus leu lle o'VVV' AplA' A' D. g.
 PLACE.-Gennesaret, a beautiful plain op the western shore of the Sea of Cali lee. south of Capernaum.
 SCRIPTURE REFERENCES the Bread of Life. John 6:4S-51. 5S; Cor. 11:23-26, and the use of bread" in the in- stitution of the Lords Supper. Compare Deut S:3 and 3O:2O; Matt A; 6:11. The Mama referred to fin John 6:49, 50; EX. 16:14-35; Neh. 9:15; Psa. 7S:24. Jesus the Life. John 1:4; 5:24; 6; 11:25; 1:6; 1l:3; l John 1:2; 2:25; 5:11-13 2O Cor. 4:lO; Gal. 2:20; Col. 33; Tim Il, 10; Rev 2:7. old Testament Miracles of Feeding compared and contrasted with this mir acle of Jesus. Elijah fed by ravens q Kings 17:6); miraculously increases the widows meal and oil q Kings 17:9-16; Elisha feeds 100 men with 20 loaves C Kings 4:42-4G.
 Comment and Suggestive Thought.
 Why did the people seek Jesus? This question in v 25 implies that the next morning the people had been searching for Jesus, not having seen him leave the fields where the miracle had been wrought
 Two motives are given: the higher motive they ought to have had, and the lower motive which predominated.
 V. 26. Jesus answered. not their spoken question, but their spiritual need which their conduct asked. "Ye seek me, not because ye saw the mir acles." R. ". signs" the Greek name for miracles used here. This would have been a right motive to which Jesus himself appealed. They were not attracted by the miracles as signs of Gods love, as types and proofs that Jesus was the Messiah, as Invitations to trust and love him. But because ye did eat the loaves, and were filed" The verb means were satisfied as a beast with fodder. - Whitelaw. They were not hypocrites; they only took low view, and were selfish Their motives lay chiefly in the results of the miracles; the heal ing, the satisfying of hunger, and not in the miracles as signs. They saw the outward form of the miracles, but not the soul the husk, but not the kernel; they read the words as in an unknown tongue, but did not see their meaning.
 They were like the Roman soldier, who, finding an embroidered purse of jewels, kept the purse, but threw away the priceless gems.
 Why did Jesus answer as he did? By this answer Jesus tried to lift the minds and hearts of the people to higher motives and clearer views of the truth.
 How did Jesus lead them to higher aims in life? V. 27 Labor not" Work not; the same word as work" in vs. 2S30 below. For the meat which perisheth," The food for the body This is not to be the chief end even of work for daily food.
 V. 31. Our fathers did eat mama in the desert" (see Ex 16) AS it is written" (Ex. 16:4; Psa. 7S:24, Sep tuagint version). Moses, our founder, lawgiver and leader, to whom the promised Deliverer is to be like (Deut. 1915; Acts 3:22).
 Moses proved that he was sent from God by giving the people bread from heaven to eat; now what do you do that is greater than this to prove that you are the greater prophet, even the Messiah, who will deliver us from our bondage to the Romans, as Moses delivered us from the Egyptians? Jesus had fed 5000 with five loaves from the earth for one meal. Moses had fed millions for 40 years with bread from heaven"
 The Tests.-Such are the tests of true religion, by which we may rec ognize it and distinguish it from all substitutes that are offered. CD It is from heaven and bears the marks of it's heavenly origin. (2) It gives life, awakens and sustains every fac ulty. (3) It is for the soul, the spir- itual nature, more than for the body. (4) It blesses for this life, but es- pecially prepares for eternal life, and assures us of its blessedness. (5) It is universal, for all ages, and for all men, under all circumstances. (6) But, like earthly bread, 1t must be eaten in order to avail
 What is meant by Jesus as the Bread of Life? How does he feed our souls? First. He by his atonement
 
 the new life of God in the soul. We are born of the Spirit"
 Second. The soul needs food as really as the body. Every faculty of the soul needs it's own food, that will strengthen and sustain it's life, de- velop its powers, make it grow into the fullness and perfection of it's ma. ture.
 Third. Jesus feeds the soul in every part. How many characteristics are necessary to make our character God like. We do not know. There must be love, humility, submission, pa tience, hope, gentleness, joy, and all the qualities that entered to compose the character of the Son of Cod Cornelius Woelfkin.
 Fourth We come into this personal communion with Jesus, and within the power of his personality, by reading and studying the records of his life, Inv loving him bV working with him