The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-16
Sunday School Lesson for June H.
Feeding the Five Thousand.
JOHN. vi: 5-14.
BY REV. J. E. GILBERT, ID. D. LID,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

lxv.0) an acted parable Of the spiritual feeding
of the race. (John H:32)
SURPLUS (vcrses 12 and l3).-supper ended,
hunger satisfied the fragments were gathered
at Christ's command. Twelve baskets were
filled. a basket for each apostle This shows
that the supply had been adequate, because no
one would have ceased while hungry. It proves
also that a miracle had been wrought, for such
quantity Of food could not have been
smupgled in. Each bearer Of basket was pre-
pared to testify Moreover it exhibited the
bountifu liberality of Jesus.( John i:l6; Tim.
vi1O. But the motive assigned for gathering
the fragments, was "that nothing be lost"
lesson in economy was given needed to avoid
pernicious prodigality into which the apostles
might be led by this wonderful display OF the
Lords power Gods care in our time OF need
must not be taken as encouragement TO waste
fulness Men must make the most Of every gift
that comes from His hand. Use freely up TO
the limit Of necessity and save the remainder.
prov. vi: 81: Strictly speaking what remains al.
ter needs are met belongs not to us but is in
our hands as stewards.
CONFESSION Verse 1D. This demonstration
OF power the part Of Jesus produced pro.
found impression upon those who witnessed
t. They had heard unmovcd His wonderful
words, spoken just before. hut were unable to
see their deep meaning. Truth. had appealed to
the intellect and heart. was less esteemed than
a miracle, which appealed to the senses. Hence
they exclaimed that this must he the Prophet
that had been promised, evidently referring to
the prediction made by Moses, (Deut. xvii:l5)
which for fifteen hundred years had been the
inspiration and hope Of Israel. The confession
might have been most gratifying to Jesus and
profitable to those who made it, for in reality
it uttered the precise truth. But unfortunately
these men intended to express what was not true,
that Jesus had come to be a temporal prince,
according to the Messanic view of the nation,
we learn in the verse following the lesson (verse
15) they attempted to make Him a king.
REFLECTIONS.-Christ people are entitled
to seasons of retirement and rest, but they
should never exclude those who arc in need.
Service is the supreme law Of life e Tim.
iv:2; Gaiv:l0; l John iii:1G). An attractive
and useful ministry and a seeking multitude are
corrclates. The people will after the men
Of wisdom and power, who rise above the dead
: level of commonplace service. q Cor. 1l:D
When men seek the minister his highest func.
tion is teaching. CLOS. iv:6; Jer iii; 49, AZ.
ter that, and sometimes before, the bodily needs
should be supplied. q John Iii: 1O. The Christ
ian mans resources exceed those Of other men,
In taking account Of stock he should have this
fomula-worldly good plus Divine blessing
| equals mans need Human folly leaves out enc
| quantity and spoils the equation. Loaves and
| fishes not TO be dispised wasted. Human
| treasure in Chrst's hands multiples. A lad
| may he connecting link betwee ma Divine
purpose and its fulhlment.