The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-05-16
Matt. xiv. 22-35.


S.-Matt xiv. 22-35.
Feeding the FiUe Thousdnd-The subject of this
lesson, is of the most Important of Christs
miracles. 1t is the only of the thirtysiX mir
aces of which we have account in the gospels
that is recorded by all four of the evangelists.
The circumstances of the lesson That in
April just before the Passover early in the
third year of Christs ministry and after
the martyrdom of John the Baptist, the twelve
apostles returning from a missionary jour
ney They gather themselves together unto Jesus
to talk all that has happened He invites
them to get away from the crowd and come into u
quiet place and rest awhile. So they got into
boat and crossed the lake. but the eager multi
tude followed afoot, fording the Jordan. Christ
was too compassionate to refuse to see them and
began to teach them many things. Late in the
day his disciples call his attention to the fact that
the people have nothing to eat-and the miracle
of the lesson the result. Peloubet gives as the
subject Human Need and How Christ Satisfies 1t.
He says a large part of religion is realizing our
need of Christ In lesson great many OF
Christs characteristics are brought out The
throngs about him show the attractive Christ
His aIlusion to them as the shepherdless sheep:
the compassionate Christ. Tt is the Passover
throngs who make such multitude. In the ar
ranging of the crowd for feeding them, we see
the orderly Christ In the blessing on the food,
the thankful Christ. In the disciples set to dis
tributing, we see Christ a co-worker. and one
who employs others to do his work. In the twelve
baskets of fragments see the economical CnTlSI
These baskets were the wallets of the twelve dis
cipIes Every Jew carried on a journey. that
he might have with him a supply of Levitcally
clear food. They were generally made of rushes or
reeds and held about peck.
All of the gracious wonderful things that Christ
did when on earth he is willing to do for us to-
dav The miracle was wrought OF to show his power
primarily but from compassion for hungry people
1t was the next day when great crowds were about
him. drawn by the fame of this miracle that he
used the miracle a text, and interpreted it as
parable of his own work for the world Declar
ing himself to be the bread of life. AS bread
strengthens builds ND and aatisfes the craving
of hungry man, so Christ meets all the needs of
our spiritual nature. We have to feed upon him
by study of his life and teaching by constant
meditation his assurances of what he will be
to us if will simply trust him.
The miracle shows his thOughtfulness for his
disciples Before he wrought his miracle we see
his sympathy for them in trying TO get for them
a much needed rest and opportunity for quiet
communion with himself. He knew the strain of
a constant crowd. Then he consulted with them as
TO how it was best to feed the people. And when
all the supplies they could find were the five small
oaves and two fish that the little lad had. he uses
that and them They seat the people and wait
upon them: he thus trained the disciples to work
with him and dgnifed them in their own eyes,
and in the estimation of the people, by this public
partnership in so wonderful miracle
We are utterly dependent upon him: all the
power and glory his. But we can rejoice that
he loves to