Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-07

CONTEAT.-On taking ship at the
command of Jesus. the disciples intended
to return to Bethsaida mark vi:45). a
small community north of Capernaum.
lying on the northwest coast of the sea
of Galilee. The storms may have changed
their course. or the Master may have
given another direction to the little YES
sci. They landed on the beach Of Cen
nesaret, some distance south of their pro-
posed destination, a plain of rare beauty
and fertility. Jesus was Immediately rec
ognized by the people who spread abroad
through all that region intelligence of His
presence mark vi:54-56), and the sick
were brought to Him to be healed. How
long He remained in those parts cannot
be determined, as there is no detailed &C
count of His doings. But after a time He
departed and went with His disciples. pos
sibly by boat, but probably on foot. to
Capernaum. then regarded as His home.
Thus was concluded the ninth Of those
istry in Galilee. The time was probably
the month of April in the year %.
HASTY RETURN-It will be remem-
bered that after performing the miracle
with the loaves and fishes, Jesus retired
to pray and later sought His disciples on
the sea- That occurred at night. When
the morning came the multitudes who
had been fed were entirely alone. No
Christ with His matchless power, nc
apostles to do His bidding, were to be
found. They were greatly perpleXed by
the fact that, so far as they knew. there
had been but one boat. and that had been
taken by the disciples. They were ig-
norant Of the fact that other small craft
had come along the shore (Which. how
ever, had not been usedD. and they were
70 krn o.
parted; by what means He had gone from
them. The whole company was therefore
seized by determination to make search
for the absent one. While some went
afoot around the head of the sea, few,
the leaders, took passage in the small
boats doubtless and sailed away to Caper-
naum. There they passed from place to
place, but failed to find the one they
sought. as He was in Gennesaret
CARNAL DESIRE.-When at last Jesus
crowd waiting for Him. They quickly
gathered about, and with demonstrations
of good will sought to know when and
how He came. Their curiosity was evil
IDENTIFY genuine. and to one less acquaint-
err with human nature the approach must
have been gratifying. 1t was one of the
few instances when the populace desired
to know something of the mystery that
surrounded the life of Jesus and to &C
count for His wonderful deeds John.
ILL.,
purpose of the crowd were fully known
to Him who could penetrate the secret de-
sires of all John, ii:24. sad picture
was presented to His eyes as He beheld
the hearts of those about Him. They
cared nothing for the person whom they
sought. They were not greatly Influenced
by the miracle. But they had received
food, and their appetites were whetted sc
that they desired repetition of this
bounty. Their carnal desires controlled
them.
SPIRITUAL FOOD-Jesus did not pause
with q mere exposure of the motives OF
the people: He proceeded to give them
advice suited to their condition. They
were to cease their earnest efforts after
food for their bodies; that is. after such
food for the soul, which Jesus would
give John, iv:1D. In this He desired
to become to them what He was intended
to be to the world-not donor of tenn
poral things. but the author of spiritual
gifts, to which mission He had been set
apart. The hearers understood these
words only in part. Supposing that the
gift proposed by Jesus was to be OBJ
tanned by good deeds. the common opin-
ion among Jews at that time mark, KID,
they inquired what they should do, In
what works they should engage. In reply
Jesus informed them that spiritual bless
ings were not to be purchased, but re-
ceived by faith. which was the only good
work reQuired-faith In Himself-thus set.
ting forth that doctrine upon which Paul
afterward laid such emphasis (Rom
iv:16. Here. then, is the exalted teach
ing Of the gospel system.
REQUIRED SIGN.-The direction to
believe on Jesus as the one sent from
God, to administer spiritual food and give
everlasting life. naturally awakened many
questions in the minds OF those who heard.
Chief among these questions was this.
How Is the claim of Jesus maintained
They inquired for the sign as a proof
of His authority or Office. according to
the common custom of giving such at
testation to a messenger from God (Matt.,
xii:30. The sign seeking was distinctly
Jewish and a mark Of moral inf1rmity or
perversity, as Jesus declared Matt.
xii:39) They who sought the sign evil
IDENTIFY recalled the miracle of the lOaves
and fishes which they had witnessed,
which to some minds might have been
sufficient to sustain the claims of Jesus.
But they were not willing to admit the
force of that fact. asserting that Moses
had wrought greater deed. He had fed
all Israel with mama in the wilderness.
Hence they required some greater deed
as a sign, something that would warrant
them in believing on Him. intimating that
they would believe.
DIVINE BREAD.-Jesus did not ac-
cept the challenge for signs as proofs of
authority. He knew that nothing could
be gained by any further display OF
power Discipleship is not secured by
that method but by the opening of the
mind to the truth John. viii:3D. Hence.
He proceeded to instruct the people. He
Informed them that Moses did not give
the bread to Israel. as they had affirmed,
that he was merely the servant through
whom God acted lex. Xvi:4. that, there
fore. the intended force of their remark
was lost Having corrected their error
IoI II In, MA