As the persecutions arose against the Church in Jerusalem, the word of God spread out to Samaria, and many believed. The Gospel is more powerful than any earthly power or persecution. As the Church Father Tertullian said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." Christianity is strongest when it faces opposition and adversity. Comfort, privilege, and indulgence smother the spirit. That applies to people too! Struggle can bring out the best in us and deepen our faith if we have the proper attitude.

Jesus shocked the people by insisting that he was the bread of life. How can he have come down from heaven? He was making an important statement about himself. Only God can sustain us and give us life. Jesus promised to do that for all who would allow themselves to be nurtured and fed by him. That can only mean that Jesus has the powers of God. Our relationship with Jesus cannot be part-time, superficial, or haphazard. Just as we take food and water each day to survive, so we must fill ourselves with him. We do this with thought, word, deed, prayer, and meditation. Jesus will raise us up both now and on the last day.