Page:Jesus of Nazareth the story of His life simply told (1917).djvu/253

 so marvellous that men had to be prepared for it by other marvels and by types. There was the manna in the wilderness, the food of their fathers on their way to the Promised Land. There was Melchisedech's sacrifice of bread and wine. There was the food of Elias given to strengthen him in his flight from his enemies. There was the changing of water into wine at the marriage feast of Cana. And there was that miraculous multiplication of bread in the desert the day before, of which all minds were full.

The congregation crowded into the synagogue till it was a closely packed mass of heads. The Twelve took up their position near their Master. Our Lord mounted the platform, or bima, and sat down. All eyes were fixed upon Him. Looking around with His heart-searching gaze, He said:

"Amen, amen, I say to you, you seek Me because you did eat of the loaves. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of Man will give you."

Some from the crowd called out:

"What sign dost Thou show that we may see and may believe? What dost Thou work?"

And this after the miracle of yesterday!

"Our fathers did eat manna in the desert," they went on, "as it is written: 'He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.'"

Jesus said to them: "Amen, amen, I say to you: Moses gave you not bread from Heaven, but My Father giveth you the true Bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is that which cometh down from Heaven and giveth life to the world."

They said to Him: "Lord, give us always this bread."