Beside its water’s edge oceans were covered, foreign lands with strange sounding names were seen. Adventures undreamed of became ours to enjoy by the murky waters of the old quarry, carried there in our miniature boats. There we had fun and laughed the hours away. There also we came to know that tragedy that caused words of scripture to be associated in our minds with that sad event. One of our friends never went home that evening and his concerned parents discovered he was last seen at the old quarry.
The waters were dredged for hours without results. Then the silent audience saw a strange thing happen. A man in a row boat went out into the center of the waters, casting pieces of bread on the water. A short time later the bread drifted to one spot, and there the man told the searchers to dredge. In no time at all the body of our friend was found.
Leaving our youth behind but not this tragic scene we have read often the words of the wise man, “Cast thy bread upon the waters and one day it will return unto you”. What did Solomon have in mind when he put these words together? Maybe completely different from my interpretation. Is it possible though that men of ancient times also used this method of finding something that was lost? Is it possible that the lesson is there for us to learn and so build up our faith that our works should not cease for lack of immediate results. Surely in our walk in Christ we have learned the error of this attitude already. Having conversed with someone about the Scriptures, mentioned the church to which we belong, given a pamphlet, taken time out to help, visited someone, written a letter to someone in need, without any apparent effect. Yet many weeks or months later when the contact is renewed we may find out the works done have had a tremendous effect on that person.
It is true that the bread cast on the waters did not bring our friend back to life, but his body was found. The bread had done its work.
The pages of history are full of such evidence. A brother who was known for his letter writing made a habit of putting a sticker on the back of the envelope with a Scripture verse telling of a sign of the times. A footnote stated that further information could be had from the undersigned. A mailman saw such a letter one day and sent away for more information. Contact was made only to be lost again for a number of months. The brother then received a pleasant visit one day from this man with the news that he was now a brother in Christ.
The Apostle Paul on the way to Damascus, bent on locating Christians to bring them to trial for the things they believed in, was a very disturbed man. He had forced himself into the homes and lives of many brethren and sisters and it had a tremendous effect on his thinking. He saw men and women who had given themselves over to being followers of Jesus Christ of Nazareth even to the sacrifice of their own lives. The bread they had cast forth had done its work. With an agonized mind Paul was forced to admit that maybe these people were right. Then again, surely he was doing the right thing for the God of his fathers. The Bread from heaven sought him out and so he was convinced that he who had come among the people of Israel, truly was the Messiah spoken of by Moses and the prophets. Leaving Saul behind in the waters of baptism he came forth as Paul the Apostle of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.
Jesus said, “I am that bread of life” and his life and death has left its mark on history and on the lives of thousands throughout the generations.
The exhortation is there for us to learn then. Preach the word in season and out of season. Nature teaches us, having sown the seed, watered and cared for the land for a time it appears to be barren and without life. Suddenly there is cause to rejoice for there is life.
Continue steadfast in patience my brethren and sisters. Sow and water with each new morn and having done that, watch and pray. In such an hour the Lord our God will give us the increase.
What joy we shall afford our Lord and Master when he comes to seek out those acceptable for His Father’s kingdom to be able to look to us with the satisfaction because we have shared with others that which he gave to us, even the Bread of Life.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One