Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-05-10
LESSON CONNECTION.

CENTRAL TRUTn-Jesus Christ is the brent
OF life.
LESSON CONNECTION.
On leaving the house of Jairus, ac-
cording to the best Chronological record
that can be arrived at, it is probable
that Jesus healed two blind men aud
also demoniac. This give use to II
charge by the enemies OF Jesus that he
was in league with Beelzebub. After
this. according TO some authorities,
Jesus was rejected second time nj
Nazareth. Another circuit of Galileo
followed, and the sending out of the
twelve on a missionary tour. John the
Baptist was beheaded about this time
and Herod began to have fears that
Jesus was John risen from the dead.
The lesson Begins with the return of the
twelve from their preaching tour.
This miracle is given in all the gospels
aud occurred about year before the
crucifixion, in the spring of A. ID 20.
The persons named are Jesus, the
twelve disciples, multitude of five
thousand men besides women and
children, and lad With barley loaves.
The incidents of the lesson are the
return of the twelve apostles Z; the with
drawal to the east side of the lake for
rest: the following multitndes, who nre
taught and healed; rs the day was clos
ing the disciples wanted the multitude
dismissed that they might get food /;
Jesus directed the twelve to feed them,
lint Gux ii N Ia.
food thev have. Jesus directs the
arrangement of the multitude, takes the
little food provided loaves and two
fishes blesses. breaks and gives to the
disciples to give to the multitude ; all
the thousands assembled are fed, and
there were taken mp of food remnants
ut the end of the feast, twelve baskets
filled
LESSON SUGGESTIONS.
Hungering Multtudps-The deciples
had just returned wearied and fontsore
from their journey and Jesus desired a
quiet place to hear their report and
give them much needed rest. The
disciples had much to tell him of what
they had done in their labor of love on
their tour of service. They had been
working as Jesus directed them and
now they We're anxious to report to
Jesus all of their joys and disappoint
ments and the results. To do this with.
out interruption. they got into a boat,
slipped out quietly from the west shore
of The lake toward quiet retreat on the
east side. But the multitude saw the
boat gong out, and the great crowd ran
along the shore determined not to be
thus baffled, and they arrived in great
crowds and Jesus cordially received
them, taught them and healed those
afflicted with bodily intirmities. AS the
.vening approached the disciples became
filled with anxiety, and requested Jesus
To send the multitude away that they
might satisfy their hunger, as they were
then in desert place, that Is part of
the country where food could not be
obtained. But The need of that great
multitude was pressing one and Jesus
made his decision directly contrary to
the suggestion made by the disciples.
Deliberate Preparatlons-He said unto
them, Give ye them to eat. They have
no need to 20 away. After inquiry as
to the stock OF provisions on hand, it
was ascertained that there were but
five barley luaves and two fishes, and
here was multitude of five thousand
men to feed, besides women and child
rem. And they were hungry, too, for
they had spent the entire day, probably
with nothing to eat, and had made no
provision to that effect. The disciples
could not understand how they could
feed them without going and buying a
great quantity of bread, more probably
than their slender treasury could fur
nish. Jesus at once gave his command.
He directed the disciples to make the
multitude sit down in companies of
fifties and double fiftes. The command
was imperative-the seeming imposs
bility was to be over come. Mans
extremity was Gods opportunity
The disciples did as directed
The Multitude sat down by ranks of
hundreds and fifties. Obedience was
given to the behest of Jesus. and now
the expectant multitude awaited the
next scene with interest.
Abundant Supply-"L Looking up to
heaven he blessed them," that is he gave
thanks to the Father for his bounty in
providing for the wants of his children,
and breaking them he began disiribut.
ing to the twelve and they to the mul-
iitude. And herein began the astound-
ing miracle. As he handed out the
food it grew and multiplied until that
vast assembly was satisfied and their
hunger appeased. Nor was this all.
Jesus directed that there must be no
waste. AS many of them We're going
10 the Passover, they carried each "a
basket for their food, and INTO these
Jesus directed that the fragments of
food remaining be gathered, and there
were twelve of these baskets filled. The
provision had been bountiful, and all
were satisfied. The beginning was
small but the yield was abundant. The
great significance of this miracle is that
Christ is the Bread of Life. God pro-
vides bounteously for all his children.
After all, is this miracle any greater
than that which we witness in our daily
lives? Is it any greater Than that OF
placing the seed in the ground, and
witnessing the abundant yield of the
harvest? Bishop Warren aptly says
that "the miracles of unbelief require |
greater creduity than those of the Bible
require faith" All along the pathway
of life miracles are thronged in pio-
fusion. Our very existence is a miracle,
springing from the Great Author of ou
being. the reator of worlds, the Savior !
of mankind, To whom we should return
thanks and nUnFutinn ,,t .yurv ,t,n 4,