The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-10-03

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good cheer; II is 1: be not afraid. Mat.
thew H27.
The miracle OF the feeding OF the
FIVE thousand marks a crisis in the
life OF Jesus. John GID. The human
ity OF Jesus is shown in that as soon
az he had performed that miracle he
first sends away his disciples, then
sends away the multitude. while he
departs Into a mountain to pray" To
pray the prayer OF thanksgiving, Ia
pray for strength to withstand this
new temptation, John GA. 15); to
pray for those whom he had fed;
and surely to pray for his chosen ones
that they might understand him and
his mission.
Jesus had taken his disciples into
the mountain for their own good.
MARX 6:31) and now he sends them
away lest they yield to the advice,
the opportunities. OF the crowd and
consort with them in their desire to
make Jesus a temporal rather than a
spiritual king. Such a course would
have precipitated matters But in his
solitude as he prayed. Jesus was
watchful OF his own.
He had sent them into the storm
TO avoid a greater danger. would he
not watch over them? So with many
a testing In our lives. They seem
severe, but how little we know OF the
greater danger we have missed. He
saw ". 49, their distress long before
they saw their relief (v.49. Jesus
knew the need OF prayer Jesus knew
the need OF solitary prayer as he must
pass this crisis, so II was that while
he fingered In prayer they were dis
tressed till "the fourth watch, near
daybreak
~ Considered Test.
II is not strange that they did not
recognize Jesus. He often comes to
us in ways we do not at first recog-
nize. in ways that at first terrify us,
but he does not leave US long in sus-
rescued them 1T is I: be not afraid"
Notice he assures them first who II Is
that is near. 1T is l." They recognize
the tones OF his familiar voice and
then they were ready for his words
OF confidence. be not afraid" So God
speaks to us in the hour OF OUT
darkest trial. saying 10, ! am with
yeu always:"-"be not afraid"
From the parallel account by Mat
thew Matthew IA: 2s-36) we read OF
Peters attempt TO walk upon the wa
ter. His rash and Ill considered test
OF the reality OF Jesus presence. Then
we see Kim as he too compares him
self with the angry storm and taking
his eyes of OF Jesus begins to sink.
Peters sharp, piercing cry; his clear.
definite. appeal is at once answered
and Jesus leads him safely back into
the boat
How different Is the picture once
Jesus was in the boat. and how soon
they reached the goal toward which
they had been struggling. (John 6:1s.
2D. II any one is at sea, II any one
Ia fruitlessly toiling against wind and
wave. only let them take Jesus on
board and soon they will reach q
,afe landing place.
The disciples were amazed and
heir hearts were hardened wv. 81,
52). and this even after the creative
miracle OF feeding the Ave thousand
Why SO? II Is evident that even |
hose nearest to him did not appre-
lend the true meaning OF this miracle.
IN the contrary their hearts were har.
tened. e. e., blind.
Spiritual Application.
The real Interpretation OF Christ's
Miracles Is not that we are to be
Imazed at the material manifestation
tut that we are TO see the spiritual
essen and application.
II was a different reception Jesus
eceived when they reached Genne-
aret wv. $3.50. There he is recog-
lied at once. There they flock to
i'm with their sick ones and Mark
NTH a few deft strokes shows us the
lecture OF a vast deal OF healing None
J disappointed. for we read that as
many as touched him were made
hole. His healing is not confined
oday to a single person. nor limited
D q peculiar place or shrine
In this lesson we see Jesus direct
~ his disciples. We see the disciples
beying that direction even though It
ID them into contrary winds. We ,
ee him as he walks into them bring
,g relief. superior to boisterous wind
nd wave. His presence brought
eace as II always does TO storm
,ssed humanity. His assurance 10
lat Of his own presence Matt.
s:20). 1T is I: be not afraid" We {
se Jesus answering the fear OF the 4,
Isciples.
This is a lesson OF many applica-
ons. The story is clear and simple.
g values are for our comfort and
clip. The unseen Christ is by our
de. Miraclesf They are only won.
srful things. that is all. Something I
syond our ordinary experience. Shall =
9 discredit the sunlight becaus a pin !,
pint enters TO blind the eyer Mira.
es to the Christian are the mani. =
stations OF q loving God. they are
hat one would expect OF the Christ a
he be the Christ. Let US look them 4
Iuarely In the face and pass on
the light OF q clearer and d
ore beautiful day.