Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-29
Sunday School Lesson for March ! Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND. John. vi:1.2l.


CONTEXT.-Biblical scholars agree
that a long time elapsed between the
events recorded in the fifth chapter of
John. our last lesson, and the events of
today's lesson. From Jerusalem Jesus re-
turned to Galilee and visited Nazareth,
Capernaum, Main and Gergesa, preaching
and working miracles. The synoptics give
an account of that ministry duke. iv:14
and ix:O. but John passes 1t by in total
silence. proceeding directly and abruptly
from the sermon at Jerusalem to the
feeding of the five thousand near the Sea
OF Galilee. 1t is impossible for us to as
sign any reason for this omission, which
is one Of the most extensive In the sketch
of our Lords life. But the student needs
to be reminded Of 1t in order to make a
proper approach to our present theme.
We must. first of all, locate Jesus In the
city of Capernaum. on the northwest side
OF the Sea Of Galilee. where He had es-
tablished His home and from which point
He had made several excursions.
FOLLOWED.-From Capernaum Je-
sus crossed the Sea of Galilee. called also
Liberals, after the Roman emperor.
Verse u. 1t is probable that He took
passage in one Of the little fishing boats,
perhaps belonging to the disciples. Sail
with His disciples in the country of the
Gergesenes, a mountainous section but
little inhabited. This retreat was sought
for communion and prayer because of the
death Of John the Baptist Matt, xiv:13),
which had been reported to Him. But He
could not escape the multitude. His many
miracles had awakened profound interest
among all classes, and some out Of Curl
osity, others in hope Of gain. and all be-
cause Of their admiration for the wonder
full person, continually sought His pres
ence, expecting to witness some further
display of His marvellous power.
Accordingly, when He took the boat the
crowd FASTENED on foot around the end of
the sea mark. vi:33). and reached the
place of His retirement only short time
after His arrival (verse p.
SEATED.-According to the original
purpose. there was an opportunity for q
brief interview between Jesus and His
apostles before the multitude arrived.
into the solitude of the mountain
not far from the shore (verse b He sat
down. assuming the attitude of teacher.
and gathered the disciples about Him for
words fell from His lips on that occasion
will never be known. for no historian has
made record. although three were
present who afterward wrote His biog-
raphy. But delightful interview it must
have been. freed from the city and its
the mountain heights. with all the men,
cries of delightful former seasons rush.
ing across the mind. all present must
have felt the occasion to be an exalted
privilege. A sentence thrust in here
Verse ~ gives color to the teaching Of
Lord referred to the Passover. which was
near at hand. and explained its deep
TESTED.-Jesus had scarcely fin
ished His instructions to the disciples
when He observed that the people were
gathered about Him (verse 81. At the
very sight of them He was moved with
compassion mark. vi:3A and began to
teach them. But as the day wore on their
physical comfort excited the concern of
the disciples, who proposed to send them
away to the village for food mark. vi:35-
of their own scanty store. Turning to
Philip. He desired to know where bread
might be bought, that plain. practical
man, like Peter. being well qualified to
be a uuartermaster (verse 81. The in
quiry. however. was not intended to elicit
Information concerning the market. but to
test the faith Of the disciples, for Jesus
had already formed a benevolent purpose
(verse g.. which did not depend on any
human supplies. Philip did not know the
real purpose Of our Lords question, and
answered in a matter-of-fact way that
hardly be sufficient (verse .. The cost,
about $85. exceeded the ability of the
company. and. there was no place where
such quantity could be purchased.
SUPPLIED.-Dimcult as the case
might appear, the benevolent Jesus did
not intend to dismiss the hungry multi
tude without food. The inquiry for means
of obtaining provisions soon brought out
the fact that q lad was present who had
something to sell (verse 81. Blessing on
the boy! Who was he? Where did he
come from? Was he like some Of the
watching for an opportunity to earn an
honest penny? Had he followed the crowd
from Capernaum. thinking some one
would be hungry? Alas, he had only five
loaves and two small fishes! It was An
drew who found the boy (verse 81. and re-
he did so. But what are these among so
many?' It is evident that by this time
the disciples felt that 1t would be utterly
impossible to feed the multitude. Philip
and Andrew represented the sentiment of
all. What was in the camp was not a
mouthful for each. What would supply
all would cost too much, and could not be
had at any price. Besides, the day was
drawing to a close, and the people were
far from home.
DTSTRIBUTED.-Bu Jesus deter
mined to use the lads small stock of
pressions of doubt on the part of the dis
ciples furnished all the better occasion
and motive for His great deed. The COM
pany was ordered to be seated in groups
or ranks of fifty or q hundred together
mark, vi:4O), there being in all about five
thousand men (verse 10Y, not counting
women and children, although some must
have been present. An American passing
by at the time would have taken this for
men! One fish for twenty-five hundred
a picnic party. Then came the distribu-
ton. First. q blessing or thank offering,
customary in all lands before eating. I'M
der all systems of religion, and, there
fore, In no sense peculiar at this time.
Then the bread and fish were delivered to
the disciples and then carried by them to