THE BREAD OF LIFE
The doctrine of Christ’s role in the atonement is spoken of
in many ways throughout the scriptures.
One of the more interesting passages that teach of the atonement is the
feeding of five thousand recorded in the New Testament. To the casual reader, it is an interesting
story of a reported miracle, probably done to prove he is the Son of God. But this miracle laid the foundation to His
incomparable sermon on the Bread of Life which followed and became a clear testimony
of his role as Savior and Redeemer.
“8 One of his disciples,
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
9 There is
a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are
they among so many?
10 And
Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So
the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And
Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he
distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and
likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When
they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that
remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore
they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the
fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them
that had eaten.” (John 6:5-13)
The story line is that Herod had beheaded John the Baptist
in prison. When Jesus heard of it, he
departed by ship into a desert place, John said it was also upon a mountain,
and there He stayed with his disciples.
He was probably distraught and in mourning and went to be alone except
for some close friends. Most of us
would do likewise. When the people heard
of this, they followed him on foot out of the cities. When Christ saw the great multitude he was
moved with compassion toward them and healed their sick. When it came evening, Christ said, “…they
need not depart; give ye them to eat.”
The apostles said they did not have sufficient money to provide the
food.
As a missionary, how can you follow Jesus’ example of
compassion? You must let your love for
the work and the people create compassion in you toward them so when it is
late, you are tired, hungry or it is inconvenient your compassions for the
people carry you forward.
The boy gave all that he had, five loaves and two small
fishes. You follow this example when you,
like the boy, give whatever you have in His service. The Lord magnified the boy’s service to feed
the five thousand and he will magnify you and your service as you serve your
mission. This miraculous feast from five
loaves and two fishes symbolizes the spiritual feast the Savior offers you in
return for your small offering as a missionary of all that you make. James E. Faust said,
“Many nameless people with gifts
equal only to five loaves and two small fishes magnify their callings and serve
without attention or recognition, feeding literally thousands…They have largely
surrendered their own interests and in so doing have found the peace of God,
which passes all understanding.” (Conf. Report Apr 1994)
The following day Jesus took advantage of the miracle of
feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes to testify to the
people in Capernaum about his mission to bring about the atonement. He chided the followers saying ye seek me,
not because of the miracles but you ate and were filled. They flocked to him hoping for another free
lunch. He then said:
“35 And
Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life:
he that cometh to me shall never hunger;
and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
51 I am
the living bread which
came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and
the bread that
I will give is my flesh, which I
will give for
the life of
the world.” (John 6:35, 47, 49-51)
The Bread of Life is an appropriate description of the
Savior and the blessings he offers to us and to our investigators. Hunger and thirst are bodily appetites and
passions that everybody understands. Food is important but incidental to the real
nourishment the Savoir offers. As we
strive to know him, remember him and serve him, we receive spiritual
nourishment and our confidence in our spiritual standing before the Lord increases. We partake of the bread of life as we accept
and use the atonement in our lives and experience the peace He brings. We will then never hunger or thirst again due
to spiritual depravity. Thus, “He that
cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst
and hath everlasting life.”
The Savior then tied the lesson directly to His atonement
that brings this liberation and peace:
“53 … I say unto you, except
ye eat the
flesh of the Son of man,
and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso
eateth my flesh,
and drinketh my blood,
hath eternal life; and I
will raise him
up at the last day.” (John 6:53-54)
I testify that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life and he has
the words of eternal life. I hope all of
you can continue to apply his promises from the sermon on the Bread of Life.
President Robinson
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