THE CHILDREN'S BREAD

Perhaps it is a surprise to you that there should be in the Bible such words as "the children's bread" and ”the children's crumbs”. The occasion of their use was a very affecting one. An anxious mother, not of Israel, had come to Jesus asking Him to heal her little daughter who was very, very ill. The Lord tested her faith by pointing out that the Jews, like children at a family meal, should have first claim to the family 'food', or 'blessing'. But the mother answered that the blessing of healing could come to her and her daughter as if they were only dogs eating the crumbs under the table. She had great faith that God in divine love had a blessing even for her, and the Lord healed the little girl at once even though she was probably a good way off.

All animal life depends upon food and we, as knowing God, give Him thanks for our meals. But beyond this, the spiritual life that the Christian believer however young receives from God needs to be nourished on food suitable to it. The Lord Jesus said "l am the bread of life". At the feeding of the five thousand people it was a little boy who had the food which, in the hands of Jesus, became more than enough for all of them. That boy, at least, had come to stay with Jesus however long the time might be! As for ourselves we feed on the living bread when we read and think of the words and works of Jesus and do them.

There is an interesting verse of Scripture which reads "Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days". This seems to refer to the sowing of seed-corn which took place in Palestine at the time of the early rains. After some time and in the mystery, partly hidden, of growth the results of sowing would be seen in the new crops of corn. It is thus an encouragement to all of us to sow the word of God amongst our fellow children and other people during the present rain – and reign! – of grace. How many times we have heard of a few words about Jesus bearing results "after many days". Another Scripture reads "Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters". This bids us to take every opportunity of speaking a word in season. Are you a sower?

J.C.Evershed