“Bread And A Stone”
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Our daughter has always been a great gift giver. She’s always making small handmade items like clay sculptures or books she’s written and illustrated to express how much she loves someone. Though none of her gifts are ever “valuable” monetarily speaking, to us they’re priceless! The old adage is true - it’s the thought that counts.
As Jesus concludes his words to the church in Pergamum, he offers two extraordinary gifts to those who conquer the challenges of this life.
Hidden Manna
"To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna ..." (Rev. 2:17).
God sustained the children of Israel for forty years in the wilderness with Manna (Exo. 16:35). God showered down bread from heaven to feed the people in the desert on their journey toward Canaan. Sweet and sustaining, it "was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey" (Exo. 16:31). The "hidden manna" Jesus offers is sweet and sustaining in a different way.
Jesus made the connection between the manna of Moses' day with his offer of salvation: "I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh" (John 6:48-51). Those who are victorious through faith will receive the life-giving sweetness of salvation through Christ! And it's "hidden" because it's only for those who believe and overcome.
A Stone With A New Name
"and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it" (Rev. 2:17).
What's so special about a rock with writing on it? It's all about the thought behind it! The stone has a new name which only the recipient knows. Throughout the Bible, we see God naming people as a way of summarizing their character or their close relationship to him — men like Abraham, Israel, and even Jesus.
Like a friend might give you an endearing nickname, God will give you a new name which symbolizes your special relationship.
These two gifts, given by a loving God, will be such a touching reward at the end of a life well-lived in faith.
