"Bread Of Life"

John 6:1-15 “Bread of life” The story reminds us of how God provides

• The feeding took place near the time of Passover. This meal commemorated the freedom from slavery which took place in Egypt. God provided away of escape from bondage

• The feeding also reminds us of the manna that sustained the Israelites day by day in their journey in the wilderness. God provides support for the weight of your struggle

• The feeding also reminds us of the meal that was given before the crucifixion. Jesus said " this is my body which given for you" then he took the cup and said, " this is my blood which is shed for the forgiveness of sin".

1. The feeding reminds us that Jesus is the bread of life, the bread of life provides because he has compassion. Matthew 14:14 . 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

• Charles Surgeon “It is expressive of the deepest emotion; a striving of the bowels--a yearning of the innermost nature with pity. As the dictionaries tell us-- Ex intimis visceribus misericordia commoveor. I suppose that when our Savior looked upon certain sights, those who watched him closely perceived that his internal agitation was very great, his emotions were very deep, and then his face betrayed it, his eyes gushed like founts with tears, and you saw that his big heart was ready to burst with pity for the sorrow upon which his eyes were gazing. He was moved with compassion. His whole nature was agitated with commiseration for the sufferers before him.”

We need compassion consider what compassion can accomplish with just 57 cents.

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it “was too crowded.” “I can’t go to Sunday School, “she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kind hearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting which read, “This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school. For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there! A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for 57 cents. Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000.00 a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300 and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time. In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, “acres of Diamonds”—a true story. Goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 cents.

2. The bread of life provides us with all sorts of impossibilities

• Phillip calculated what it would take to feed all these his calculation was its impossible.

• Jesus saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. Philip exclaimed, ““It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (verse 4-7)