Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-05-24
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY ~.

VSN WHI LSs
Subject Feeding tne Five Thousand,
Mark vi, 3O.44-Golden Text, John
H., 81 - Memory Verse, Al - Topic:
Tho Great Gospel Feast.
I. Jesus and His disciples retire to
Z desert place Tvs. 30-32). 80. "The
apostles-told Him." A few weeks be-
fore this Jesus had sent the apostles
out among the villages of Galilee Matt.
1916; Mark GLIB, He Himself going
also (Matt. lid. When the news Of
the death of John the Baptist reached
them they fastened to Jesus. They
made full report of their missionary
tour. 81. "a desert place" Not
sandy, barren desert, but an uninhab.
ited place. "Rest while" There were
two chief reasons for taking this
course. Herod might attempt to slay
Jesus and His disciples. The second
reason is here given. They needed rest
and communion with God. "No les-
ure." The door stood always open, as
in Eastern houses generally, for all
who chose to come in or leave at their
pleasure. No one can do his best work
without periods of rest from work. 81.
"By ship" They took boat and
sailed from Capernaum across the
northern end of the lake.
II. Jesus teaches great multitude
Tvs. 33, 3D. 33. "The people," From
John GA we see that the Passover was
just at hand, and there were throngs
Of people going up to Jerusalem.
MANY knew Him." Because of the
many miracles which He had wrought
John 6:2). The whole country was in
an agitated state. Ran afoOt." The
people, watching the sailing of Jesus
across the northern end of the lake,
ran around the northern shore so rap
idly that they ''outwent" the boat and
met Him as He landed. "All cities"
At this time the western and northern
shores were populOus with cities and
villages.
"a. Compassion" Although weary
yet Jesus was moved With pity for this
people. He walked among them teach.
ing them and healing their sick. Not
having shepherd" They were desti-
tute of teachers to feed. to guide. to
protect, in a word, to shepherd them
III. The disciples confer with Jesus
Tvs. 35-3S).
50. "Day-far spent" Matthew
says "when it was evening" The
Jews had two evenings. The first be-
gan at 3 o'clock. the second at G
o'clock. This was in the afternoon.
So. Send them away" The disciples
called Christs attention to the fact
that this was a desert place. and as
the multitude had been there since
morning, it was time t. dismiss tie
congregation SO the people could go and
buy victuals, lest they faint by the
way. Many of those present were Jn
their way to The PasSove- and had no
homes near.
81. Give ye them to eat" Jesus
was testing His disciples. Just before
we buy bread that these may eat!"
John 6:5). But He said this ''to prove
him. for He Himself knew what lie
would do" John G:G). Our Lord saw
that His apostles needle, 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 silver
coin, and was worth about sixteen
cents. The value of the bread neccs-
sary would be. therefore, about So.
And give them" The import of the
question is, Would it not be unwisc to
take our last penny and spend for this
purpose?
3S. How many" Jesus knew just
the amount OF food there was, but lie
IaSipnl Tn houn thn,n An ,,,t nd al
Him so tha. the miracle would make a
greater impression. "Five. and two
fishes" There were five barley leaves.
Barley was their poorest food. The
loaves were round, Hat biscuits or
crackers. The fish were small and were
dried CT picked and eaten with bread
like 'ur sardineS.
~. The multitude fed Tvs. 39-42).
80. He commanded" Christ had fed
their souls, and healed their bodies,
and now He purposes to feed their bod
les, and thus show that He is able to
provide for all their necessities. "Sit
down." They sat in orderly ranks for
the convenient distribution of the food
and so they could be easily numbered.
Al. when He had taken" Accord
ing to Matthew Jesus said, Bring
them hither unto Me-" All must centre
in Him. We may have but little, but if
we will give the little we have to Jesus
He Will multiply It thousandfold and
pass 1t back to us, and grant us the
privilege of passing it out to the starry
ing, sin-burdened multitudeS. Bless |
ed" Jesus thus sets us an example;
we should never eat without first |
God for our food and asking |
His blessing upon it. AZ. "Were
filed" No one ever need leave Christ's |,
table hungry. He Is able to satisfy |
every need of soul and body.
V. The fragments gathered up Tvs.
43, Az.
43. Twelve baskets" The word |
translated baskets" means pockets or
wallets. The twelve baskets were
probably the twelve wallets of the |
apostles, which they carried on their
journeys. fragments" Broken pieces |
John, Jesus directed them to gather up |
the fragments, that nothing be lost"
Why were they required to gather up |
the fragments? /. 1t would teach |
them lesson in thrift and economy.
2. 1t would show them that the more |
they gave the more they would have. |
B. 1t would teach them that nothing |
was to be wasted that God had given. |
There Is no surer way to receive the |
full sweetness and blessing of the goS- |
pei than to carry 1t to some hungry |
soul. A. give thousand" Here is
one miracle wrought by our Lord at
tested by 5000 men, probably 10000
DerSOn6