The Bread of Life

~~~ Acts 7: 51-8: 1a ~~~Psalm 31 ~~~John 6: 30-35 ~~~

Stephen is the first of the group to be martyred for his unwavering beliefs. Stephen was stoned as he cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them...’

This began the persecution of the church in Jerusalem.

Stephen was blunt and to the point with everyone he preached. He was unaware of what it meant to be ‘politically correct’. “...you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors...” These are stinging words. Most people do not appreciate being compared to another person or group.

We want to be our own person.

As he continued with his tongue lashing they were becoming more infuriated to the point of grinding their teeth. If you are grinding your teeth you are extremely tense, your jaw is rigid. You cannot speak clearly.

Stephen like Jesus surrendered his spirit into the hands of the Lord

at the time of his death.

Now the crowd is tapping into what Moses supposedly provided for the people; namely manna from heaven. They want their own sign. They want to see before they believe.

Jesus says well first let’s get the facts straight. “...it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.”

Jesus names himself,

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger,

and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

If your hunger and thirst are satisfied you can survive for a long time.

If you have Jesus your stomach will never growl with hunger pains.

If you have Jesus your lips will never be dry and parched.

May our hunger for Jesus grow stronger.

May our thirst for Jesus never be quenched until we rest with him in Heaven.