The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-02-23

Commentary on the Days Lesson.
I. The gathering multitude Tvs. LAY. !.
"After these things" The events OF the
second year, but particularly the report OF
the twelve, the murder of John, and the
report that Herod was inquiring for him.
The twelve apostles who had been sent out
over Galiiee were preaching and heaiIng
the.sick. when, suddenly, like flash from
far distant cloud. came the news that
John the Baptist had been beheaded by
Herod Antipas in Macherus castle: The
disciples FASTENED to Jesus. probably ar
Capernaum, as chickens hasten to their
mother when the hawk hovers near. Over
the sea- From Capernaum, where the
apostles met Jesus on their return. by
boat, privately, to escape the crowds
Mark 6:3l, 32). They al retired across
the sea OF Galilee to the lonely plain at the
side OF the dominions OF Herod Antlpas.
They needed this retirement ll) for physi-
cal rest, (2) for instruction. (3) for com.
munion with God. 2. Multitude fol-
lowed" The people came from all direc.
tions, for at this time the western and
northern shores were populous with cities
and villages The preaching OF the apostles
had stirred the whole country.
3. "a mountain" The high ground
near Bethsaida, which there closely ap-
proaches the lake. "Sat with His disci-
pies" Read Mark 6:30-32: Here they
could rest and report. 4. The passover:
But because of the reason mentioned IN
chapter Z: Jesus did not attend. This
was His third Passover, a year before HIS
death. Feast of the Jews" This was
stated for the benefit of Johns Gentle
readers This gospel was written in Asia
Minor, among Roman customs. WAS
nigh" The fact that the Passover was
nigh at hand, so that many must have been
starting on their journey to Jerusalem
around the lake and through Perea, partly
accounts for the concourse OF such multi
tudes.
II. Jesus confers with His disciples Tvs.
59). 5. Lifted up His eyes" This was
in the afternoon, toward evening. when
the day began to wear away Luke 9:l2).
The Jews had two evenings; the first be-
gan at 5 O'Clock, the second at o'clock.
"A great company" He was moved with
compassion and walked among the people.
teaching them many things and heaiing
their sick. His disciples called His atten-
place, and as the multitude had been there
since morning, it was time to dismiss the
congregation so the people could 90 and
buv victuals, lest they faint by the way.
Matt. l4:l4, l5). 'He saith unto Philip"
He was probably the provider for the disci-
pies, as Judas was the treasurer. Whence
are we to buy bread" (R. W Christ had
fed their souls and healed their bodies,
and now He proposes to feed their bodies,
and thus show that He is able to provide
for all their necessities. 8. TO prove
Him." Philip had known Jesus for more
than two years, and it was time that he,
and the rest of the apostles, should begin
to have wide conceptions OF Chrlsts anll-
ity. knew what he would DO" Christ
proposed the question to test Philips faith.
..Philip answered" Our Lord saw
that His apostles needed lessons in faith,
and this miracle was as much for their
benefit as for the benefit of the hungry
multitude Two hundred pennyworth.''
The penny was a silver coin and was worth
about sixteen cents The value of the
bread necessary would be, therefore. about
$50. Jesus said, Give We them to eat
Huke): the apostles then asked IN dis
NAV, Shall we 90 and buy this great
amount of bread? Jesus asked now much
they had (Mark), and Andrew said, Five
loaves and two small fishes.
9. "A lad here The multitude had not
thought Of their temporal necessities, so
anxious were they to see and hear Jesus,
ana TINS Iad. VINO hau cnarge OF tue pro-
visions o. the company to which he be-
longed," had all that could be found.
"L0aves-fshes.7 The loaves were round.
fat cakes like large crackers. Barley was
their poorest food. The fish were small.
dried or picked, and were eaten with
bread, like our sardines.
III. The multitude fed Tvs. 10, lD. 10.
MAKE the men sit In orderly ranks for
the convenient distribution Of the food.
Mark says they sat by hundreds and
fifties. The men alone were arranged in
companies and numbered, while the wom-
en- and children were served separately, as
Oriental custom required. 'Much grass"
<CLa nrn.r ,r-nr renh1r far moving at this