The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-09

seA..s.s.s-s-a:.@sss:s:.:s:';es>.S:':':.:>e 90 -
In the story Of this chapter one might
distinguish four successive scenes. The
FIRST. which also appears in the other
Gospels. Is the scene Of the miraculous
MULTIPLICATION Of the loaves and the
fishes The site Is the slope NJ noun
tain on the eastern side Of the sea of
GsiiIee. on the one hand stands the
Christ calm in the assurance Of His own
design, surrounded by disciples whose
faces begin TO wear a shadow OF per-
plexity as the day wsnes and their
thought II called 10 the almost total lack
OF supplies for their insistent guests
On the other hand is the great and
eager multitude. travellers very
largely Just starting out for the Pass
over feast OF Jerusalem. but turned aside
by the discovery that the wonder work
ing prophet OF Nazareth was in the
neighborhood Responding more to their
need than TO their curiosity Jesus makes
distribution from the scanty store OF
bread and fish. and all are satisfied. The
transaction proceeded very quietly, but
there was no mlstaking its marvellous ma
ture.
The multitude were convinced that the
Messiah stood before them, and they
were ready I'm their enthusiasm to take
Him along with themselves 10 the ma
tional capital and 10 proclaim Him the
King OF Israel. But Jesus forestaled
their friendly violence by withdrawing
into the mountain.
A DRAMATIC SCENE.
The second scene vies with the first
in dramatic quality. and has a peculiar
charm for the religious imagina tion.
who in the more tempestuous hours of
life has not thought of those disciples on
the Sea Of Galilee, buffeted I'm the night
by wind and wave. until at length the
master. whose watchful eye had been
upon them, comes across the angry
waters 10 their relief. This scene has
very rich and apprehensible lesson, but
as II is brought In by the evangelist as
q means OF transition 10 the third scene,
1t lies aside from the main theme Of the
chapter and will not engage our further
attention.
The third scene 10 which the narrative
introduces US IL located on the western
shore Of the Sea Of Galilee at Capernaum.
titude. which had proited by the miracle
OF the losves and the~ fishes. surmising
that Jesus had found some means OF fol-
lowing the disciples to that side. They
came with the same disposition which on
the previous day had made them desirous
TO install Jesus as king. Like many OF
their contemporaries they coveted an
earthly Messiah, one who could relieve
want by His supremacy over the forces
OF nature. and by His transcendent lead
erShip could break the yoke from the
neck OF Israel and lead forward tho ma
iion TO lofty summit OF honor and
glory. what could Jesus do with men pos
sessed OF thi. sort Of enthusiasm?
COULD NOT COMPROMISE HIMSELF.
Certainly He could not compromise
Himself by taking single step toward
a Mesrianic career patterned after their
worldly notions. lie knew well that the
Fathers will consigned Him 20 the pur-
suit and fulhlment OF n very different
Messisnic ideal. Accordngly Il seemed
20 Him necessary TO deal very plainly
with these short-sighted admirers lie
must rot allow Himself In anywise 20 be
captured by them He must lead them
up to better spiritual apprehension. or
lie must break with them. lie makes
the attempt 10 conduct them 20 tho i'm
proved point ~ view Starting from
their recollection Of the miracle OF the
multiplied losves
He endeavors a. draw their thought 10
Himself as the true bread which meets
mans deep hunger and n able 20 sustain
him unto eternal life. To this representa-
ton His auditors respond With dull and
resisting minds. IN their utiltarian mood
they want something visible and tang'
bic. They desire Jesus 10 show Himself
WORTHY OF their faith by paraIlcllng tho
great deed of Moses in giving mamma IN
the people. But Jesus refuses to entertain
this casual demsnd. He points out the
comparative inefricscy % the wilderness
bread, and insists that FOR the time bread
from heaven. the life-Riving fbOd mer
must come 20 Himself believe on
Himself Appropriate Himself
Choosing the very strongest terms tc
express this spiritual dependence upor
Himself. lie even asserts that eterna
life r. conditioned on eating His flesh and
drinking His blood. To the earthly tenn.
per OF n large part Of His auditors thl.
was n hard message. They ruutd NOT To
ceiye a.; and we have the record thai
many who were minded 20 be His disci-
pies went back and walked no more with
him.
STANDS IN CONTRAST.
The fourth scene stands IN contrast
with this detection, and records the az
fecfionate and steadfsst loyalty 81 an IN.
ner group OF Disciples. When Jesus said
20 fhe group. "Wni We aieo 70 away
Simon Peter a. their spokesman respond
-. Lord. to whom shall We go7 Thou