Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-05-27

, out of the atmosphere of such a sug-
gestion. This is the only miracle record
ed by all four evangeEsts, possibly because
it was the most remarkable manifestation
of His deity that we have.
ANOTHER MULTITUDE FED.
A few months after this, after He had
gone through the coasts of Tyre and Sid
on, after the TRANSPORTATION, after His
tours through the cities of Decapolis, as
He came near to the Sea of Galilee again,
a vast company of people followed Him,
continuing with Him for three days with
out food. Seeing their distress, He per-
formed a miracle similar to the one we
have just discussed although it was en-
tireIy different. Some have thought that
there were discrepancies here, and that
this was but an erroneous record of the
first miracle. There are, however, sever
al points of difference.
II was performed at different time
and place. The people were different;
this company was composed largely of
Gentiles whom He had gathered as He
travelled. The former company was
composed largely of Jews who were on
their way-to the Passover. In the first
case they were with Him only one after
noon; there they were with Him three
days. In that case there were 5000
men besides women and children: in
this case there were 1000 men besides
and a few fishes. In that case there
we're five barley loaves and two fishes;
in this case there were seven loaves
and a few fishes. In that cas- there
wre IL handbaskets gathered of frag-
ments; in this case there were seven
large fish baskets gathered of frag
ments. (The words for baskets in the
two incidents differ as just indicated)
Any fair minded person who notes these
points of difference would not claim
that the incidents were the same.
One Of the interesting things in the
study of this miracle was the attitude
of the disciples. They seemed to have
forgottn entirely the miracle which
Jesus had performed a few months be-
fore, for when He instructed them to
feed the people they asked Him where
they were to get enough bread. Looking
at it from every standpoint IT looks as
though they we're exceedingly dull, that
Jesus had the most difficult task to
teach them; and yet, If we took into
our own lives, we are just as dull of
understanding as they were. 1t takes
we'll developed faith to argue from the
past into the future. There should
have been no question in their minds
whatever, but when He Instructed them
to feed the multitude. they should have
asked Him what part in His plan they
were to perform, instead of doubling as
they did. ....
This is one of the great truths in this
lesson today to us. In the past God has
done so many things for us. He has
shown US so often His willingness to
help us in our distress, and has spoken
so directly in His word to us, that 1t
seems that we could not do otherwise
than believe and trust Him, and obey
Him. But as a matter of fact, when the
situation confronts us, we are so prone
to doubt, and to wonder, and to plan,
instead OF turning to Him and asking
Him for His plan, and trusting Him to
show us the way May God grant that
we may commit our way unto the. Lord:
to trust also In Him, and let Him bring
1t to pass.
What was the great purpose of the mir
acie which JESUS performed in feeding
these two vast companies of people? Sim
ply this: that as a perfect Saviour He
must enter into the needs and distresses !
of those whom He had come to save.
The very necessity of the case required
that Jesus have compassion on these
people and supply their needs, and be-
cause of His perfection He had the grace
to supply these needs Of theirs.
Let us also learn this lesson OF Him.
that He alone can satisfy every need OF
ours. and that having shown His CONF
pa sson and His richness of love in sup
plying the needs. and His perfect ability
to do It. as we'll as His willingness, let
us have faith to argue from the past to
the present and future, and from anxious
care depart.