Newark post., 1910-05-25
Sunday School Lesson
Lesson TX. May 20, 1910
THE MULTITUDES FED.
By z. S. Holmes

IS.
Jesus is reported by Matthew to
have fed great company OF people by
multiplying miraculously small por-
ton OF food found in the company.
These two reports are united in this
one lesson
The occasion of the first miracle was
the retirement OF Jesus into seclusion,
IN the uplands east OF the Sea of Cali
lee. after he had heard OF the death OF
his cousin, John the Baptist He went
by boat across the sea- Crowds follow
ed him. The people went on foot
around the northern end Of the sea,
probably. The twelve were with him.
The lesson tells the story Of how it all
happened.
The second miracle was performed
at some time after the return to his
home in Capernaum. Scribes and
Pharlsees from Jerusalem visited him
having journeyed from Jerusalem As
usual, they began controversial ques-
tions with him, and as usual he gave
them pointed reproof in his answer,
and then harangued the whole multi
tude. The question was about eating
without first washing the hands. He
spoke for the first time the law as to
personal dehlement.
There was probably excitement
against him for these utterances, so
radically opposed to all popular ideas,
and once more he lett Capernaum, in
part, no doubt. for safety He went
into the coasts of Phenicia. Here
he cured a girl Of demoniacal posses
sion i'll answer to the prayer of her
mother. Her plea and persistence
made her immortal
Then Jesus with his disciples return
ed toward home, and somewhere in the
mountain stopped for rest Once
more the multitude followed, and SC
came the occasion for the second mir
acle. The stories are practically the
same. We take the verses OF Chapt er
IS, vss. eo-3o.
THE LESSON.
vs.. 2o. The ever active. ceaselessly
helpful Jesus. He was turning home
ward now Did he have a home?
MOT where to lay his head. is his own
answer. There were open doors for
him everywhere, but he owned not one
spot.
vs.. 3o Cr.wds-eyer crowds, wher-
ever he journeyed lie has never had
peer. Crowds wanting something
One brought lame, another blind
one, another, one deaf or manned
Troubles abundant None was refused
VS.. 81. They wondered
and glorified the God OF Israel" There
is no hint that they accepted him as
the King OF the new Kingdom OF Hea-
ven. Men are still in that attitude
Wonderful man." says the world.
Christ? Son OF God, King OF menr
No, Oh, no
VS.. 81. Il will not send them away"
What verst this is. 1t breathes the
spirit of love. Three days How
many miracles he must have wrought
Thought for himself? None Il have
compassion on them. Did he ever
fail i'll compassion in the hour OF need?
None ever empty turned away who
truly sought his face
vs. 33. Here is picture OF life to-
day, We cannot feed this crowd"
they say There are no shops in the
Wilderness.
They entirely forgot the feeding of
five thousand with the five loaves and
two fishes which Andrew found Me-
mOry OF Gods power and mercy does
not last long with the best OF us.
VS.. a. Here is the same question
have begun to think. rs he going to
repeat the miracle"
vs.. IS. Order, system, quiet. He
would have no confusion; no jostling;
no pushing to get the first bit he Of
fered. Sit down on the ground" he
he said. The obedience was doubtless
instantaneous There was vast expec-
tation in the throng. "IIe is going to
do it again, maybe some one said. |
Was the bread he made the other
time good"' Yes. | had some. Best
you ever saw
VS.. 80, Notice his method First |
thanks, then creative work, then the
bountiful distribution But he did not
carry the bread and fish around His |
disciples did that. For what did he
give thanks? Perhaps for his power.
We forget to give thanks for our pow
er. Have none OF you forgotten to |
thank God for mercy since last Sun
day?
VS.. 81. All" Not one passed.
The Oldest man; the youngest boy; |
every woman; every girl. They were |
satisfied, too. No one complained. |
Then. one gospel says, he ordered |
Gather up the fragments that nothing |
be lost" No waste in Christ's plan. |
Seven baskets full. 1t is not the |
quantity, but the fact that something |
had been done, and there was some
thing to show for it. Every person OF |
that multitude, if ever a Pharisee or
enemy challenged the miracle, could |
say, Il was there. | ate all | wanted. |
! saw what he had when he began |
saw what was left You need not tel
me you don't believe | saw
VS.. 50. -Four thousand" al men,
women and children besides. How |
many? Have you ever seen four tfous-
and people together? Think OF feeding
such an audience as will fill the ampi- |
theatre at Chantauqua this summer on |
some Sunday with seven loaves of |
: bread
NS 20 Mandal, an.t LIZ can4