A poor soldier lay dying in a Swiss hospital. His father coming to him, found him hardly able to speak. "You must not die," said the old man. "I have brought money. You shall have medicines, delicacies, everything; and as soon as you are strong enough, I will take you home.”
The sick man shook his head. He did not want the medicine nor tempting morsels. He felt that he was past help.
The father's heart sank, and he turned away to hide his tears. Presently he opened his traveling-sack, and took out a loaf of bread. Breaking off a piece, he gently placed the piece in his son's mouth.
After a moment the sick man swallowed it, and soon he opened his eyes and whispered, "More.”
"Your mother made that," said the father.
"I know it," the sick man replied, "it is so good.”
The father laid the loaf on the bed, and the poor soldier took it up in his hands and began to eat, with tears rolling down his face. From that hour he grew better, and in a few weeks was restored to health.
Jesus said of Himself: "I am the bread of life," and "If any man eat of this bread he shall live forever.”
Just as the sick man, eating his mother's bread, was restored to health and life; so we may take of the Bread of Life, and gain life for the soul, and have eternal life. By faith we take Christ the living Bread, and we rest on His Word. If we believe in Christ, we will enjoy Him, and live for Him.