The Jews, we read in John 6:41, murmured at him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” Murmur they may, but the fact remained that the Lord Jesus had said that the manna – the “bread from heaven” – pictured Himself, thus claiming to be far more than they were willing to accept. In this, the first name given to the manna, we are taught something of Christ incarnate.
The first reference to bread in our Bible is found in Genesis 3:19, “In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread”, bread that must be wrested from an unwilling, cursed earth. Sin has made it so. But come now to Exodus 16; see a weary, growling people in a waste, howling wilderness. Despite having so recently witnessed God’s power they are murmuring against Him. Not having reached Sinai they have not yet placed themselves under law, which can only bring the judgement they deserve, so God is still dealing with them in grace. Hear then the gracious words of Jehovah, “I will rain bread from heaven for you” (Exod 16:4). Not now bread reaped from an unwilling earth, but bread rained from an unstinting heaven. What a picture of the incarnation of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ!
To Bethlehem – the House of Bread – came the Bread of God. “O little town of Bethlehem, so still we see thee lie”. Manna-like He came, softly and pure as the dew upon which it fell, “so silently, so silently, the mighty gift is given”. Small it was, the word means ‘very small’, speaking of the humility of Christ. The God who has been described as “a circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere” is found “wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger”. “Lo, within the manger lies, He who built the starry skies”. Jerusalem expected someone grander – Christ in glory. Bethlehem witnessed one who could hardly have been lowlier – Christ in grace. Pharaoh refused to humble himself (Exod 10:3), Nebuchadnezzar had to be driven from his palace (Dan 4:33), yet He who rightfully occupied the highest place voluntarily took the lowest place. “Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil 2:8).
Daily, for their very life depended on it, the children of Israel fed on the bread from heaven. How we need to feed on the down-stooping humility of Christ. How appropriately we sing, “Bread of Heaven, feed us till we want no more”. Want no more of earth’s glory, earth’s pride, earth’s place. The more I am occupied with the Bread from Heaven, the less I will value the best of earth.
Reports
The Culloden Assembly held a weekend of special meetings in November on the subject of the Bible, taking advantage of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version. Tom Wilson was the speaker, and the assembly was encouraged to see excellent attendance at all the meetings and several unconverted present over the weekend. The subject was of interest to believers from other places, and a number spoke of being blessed. We continue to pray that the Lord will use the Word presented to awaken and save
Meeting at Christmastime.
Nitish Patel reports; After seeing a few Hindu men saved, we were praying that the Lord would save some ladies too. The Lord answered that prayer and sent a Hindu lady to us in October. Her name is Bena and she told us that she started reading the Bible in 2006 after glancing over to see a Bible someone was reading on the bus next to her. She bought a Bible for herself and had been looking for a Bible study. The Lord led her to Wembley Gospel Hall and she has been regularly attending our Monday meeting. She was in tears when she told us of the joy she had within, at finding a place where she can have her questions answered. She told us that she had stopped worshipping idols after she read the book of Judges and saw it was wrong. She is very close to the kingdom of God and we value prayer that she will be saved soon. Recently a young Gujarati lady named Anu joined the Bible class. She is from India and seeking the Lord. We pray that she will continue to attend and find salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jim McMaster reports that they have seen a steady stream of people from the soup kitchen work, come into the gospel hall to hear the gospel preached. Several are showing a deepening concern for their soul and one man who is blinded by modern philosophy has been earnestly seeking the truth. 2011 has seen 10 of those who regularly attended, losing their lives as a result of addiction or violence on the street! The Good News van continues to be the focus of the work and is recognized all over the city. The Jail work goes on with visitation to the cells on the wings and the Bible Class continues to give encouragement. An urgent need for prayer would be the appointment of a new chaplain. Please pray that he will be sympathetic to the gospel and that this needy work will not be hindered.
Here is a recent summary from Wesley Downs year end report.
Graeme Patterson was with the assembly here for a week’s children’s meetings in the hall. The number of children present was in the mid 20’s each evening with a couple of parents also coming in. Also during the week Graeme went into local schools to take assemblies and spoke to just under 1000 children, each receiving a gospel calendar. It was good to see the continued interest of the children in attending the meetings and of the schools to give access for assemblies.
The assembly put on a Bible Exhibition in October. It was advertised to commemorate 400 years of the KJV Bible. Around 50 adults and 300 school children came. Stephen Baker was with the assembly all week, and stayed for a second week during which children's meetings were held with up to 30 children coming daily, including some new ones.
The assembly at Auchinleck was greatly encouraged during nine weeks of gospel meetings with Ian Robertson. Many local people attended the meetings and some professed salvation. They also had the joy of four people being baptized on the last Friday of the year when good numbers from the district also attended the meeting.
Gospel Meetings in Buckie (October/November) with Joe Baxter and Martin Hunter.
Two weeks of gospel meetings in Clifton Gospel Hall, South Norwood saw good numbers of folk brought under the sound of the gospel. Night by night Jonathan Black faithfully preached the message of salvation.
Two weeks of tent meetings in Bicester during August with Terry Topley and Dan Gillies saw a good interest from the locality. Over 70 adults and children filled the tent on the last evening of the first week, and numerous new contacts have been integrated into the regular weekly meetings since then. In Wallingford during October a week of the Bible Exhibition was followed by a week of children’s meetings with Stephen Baker.
J Rogers concluded gospel meetings on 8 September. Local believers covered a large area around the hall prior to the commencement of the meetings with approximately 4500 homes being visited. Some came and heard the Gospel. Opportunity arose which enabled the privilege of presenting the gospel in many homes. Quite a few new contacts were made which the local saints will follow up with a view to having them attend their weekly gospel meeting. God was pleased to bless in salvation. Neighbouring assemblies gave great support which was very much appreciated.
Reports and forthcoming meetings in N.I. as at the beginning of October.
David Morgan has had a number of gospel tent campaigns over the summer. Although the numbers have been small the gospel has been faithfully preached. At Aberystwith about 12 souls came in but no real interest was seen which was disappointing for the little assembly. Although few in number they have a great interest in the district which they regularly visit with tracts and they have a great desire to maintain the principles of gathering. David found it a real joy to be among them to encourage their faithfulness. Four days were spent as well standing outside the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells. In previous years as many as 40,000 people passed by but with coach transportation from the car park into the show, this is now reduced to around 7,000. However the majority of people were still able to hear the gospel over the amplifier as they returned to their cars in the evenings.
Gospel work in Wembley.
Reaching children with the word of God in Aberdeen and Inverurie.
Gordon McCracken has been busy with various holiday clubs for children, in his own assembly at Maryhill, Glasgow then at Grangemouth and Whitburn. Good numbers of children once again heard the gospel message presented. Gordon for some time now has been putting together a mobile Bible Exhibition and was recently in the goodness of God, able to purchase a 7.5t box van for the purpose of transporting and storing the exhibition. Prayer would be valued regarding a suitable place to park the vehicle within reasonable proximity of Glasgow.
Following their annual conference at the end of September, the assembly at St Monans had a week of gospel meetings with Blair Martin as the preacher.
Elim Hall The assembly held their annual holiday club for the children at the end of July. Gordon McCracken was again responsible and large numbers of children attended. A great interest was shown by the children and a number of parents came along for the prize giving on the Friday evening.
Letter from Ian Rees requesting prayer and support for this event D.V.