Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-02
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON, MARCH 4
March 9Th, 1917
John 6:1-14.
GOLDEN TEXT: "Give US this day our
daily bread" Matt. GIL.
DR.. MARION MICH. HULL

DIR. MARION NIGH. HULL
John makes a big pump again in
point of time and brings us down to a
year later. just before the third Pass
over of our Lords ministry, at the
close of nearly two years of public
life. Shortly before this Jesus had sent
the apostles on ahead of Him on a
third tour through Galilee. They had
accomplished such marvellous works that
news of their Master reached the ears
of Herod who had been responsible
for Johns death. His guilty conscience
pricked him and he declared that this
was none else than John raised from
the dead. About this time the apostles
returned, and, in order to have a little
time for rest (for the people thronged
about Jesus so that He had neither
time to eat nor Sleep, He took them
in the boat and carried them across
the lake to its northeast corner not
only that they might have a brief
season for rest, but also that He
might withdraw them from the terri
tory of Herod.
The people, however, did not give
Him time for rest, for by the time the
boat reached the shore, multitudes had
gone around the northern end of the
lake some three or four miles, and fol-
lowed Him and His disciples up to the
mountain side. They were Joined by
numbers of others moving in caravans
on their way to the Passover, each one
desiring some blessing at His hand AS
He turned and looked upon this great
multitude He had compassion on them,
for they were as sheep having no shep-
ofa 81 falF inc 10 h.
needed rest, He healed those which
were sick and taught the people all day
long.
THE TEST OF CHARACTER
Evening was now drawing and all were
weary and hungry. His disciples came to Him
they were merely human; we must not blame
them-and urged Him to send the people away
that they might go into the surrounding vii
lagos and buy food. Jesus knew what He was
going to do, but in order TO test character, lie
asked Philip, when shall We buy bread that
thee might eat:" Now Philip vas shrewd
business man. The little lines that We have on
him show that he was apt to scorn the ex-
pectations of faith. He had splendid qualities!
II did not take him long TO calculate that all
that they could secure amongst themselves was
S25, that that would buy certain quantity OF
bread ana that that quantity of bread dsIrIOu-
ted amongst this multitude would give each
one Of them bite. The trouble with Phlllp
was that he took no account of the resources
of Jesus. What Jesus wanted him to say was,
Master We have $50. That is not enough by
itself bat with Thee it will be enough But
Philip missed his opportunity.
How many Of US must rid ourselves OF the de-
feet of our good qualities? Don't you know some
business man whose judgment on purely busl-
Eess proposition is almost faultless, but VINO
mas So little faith that he takes no account or
the resources of Jesus when Ii comes TO spir-
itunl proposition? He must rid himself OF
the defect of good business judgment before ne
can appreciate what faith in Jesus will bring.
There are men today VINO are absolutely moral
and upright, whose lives from world STANDPOINT
are exemplary, nut they must rid themselves OF
that defect before they can be saved. Ihey
have got 10 come to Jesus like the most guilty
sinner and ask for pardon. Good qualities,
therefore, are all right In their place, but we
must not let them stand between us and CHRIST.
just about that time Andrew-he was emil
neptly practical always-came Up anc sald'
There Is a lad here trat has brought lunch
with him He has i've pieces pieces OF Q, Sre aT
pectation in Andrew. Here is something, ne
said but then when he looked at the crowd and
away from Jesus he added, What Is that among
Jesus had instructed His disciples to make
the people sit down on the grass in companies
OF fifty. In that way they could De easily
served The number was in the neighborhood
of IS Co., for there were 5000 men besides the
women and children, and on an occasion or this
kind when they were on their way TO the pass
over, whole families went. II is reasonable 10
suppEose therefore that there were at least
twice as many women and children as there
were men.
Then Jesus nIted up MS eyes 10 heaven oIN
prayed" No. He offered thanks, and then he
tegan to break the bread into pieces and to dis
tribute the fish. 1t took some faith on the part
of the disciples to start out with this little bit,
but they were willing to obey, and because
they were they had the JOY OF service, for as
they carried the broken pieces of bread and OF
meat to the companies, they saw with sausfac-
ticn that each one was being led ana nIleu'
That they sat down was an evidence OF the
fact that they got q full meal 1t was NOT
3ust a snack standing, but a full meal sitting
down.
. / like to think Of that lad who had the
lunch Can y2u not his eyes getting big
ger and bigger, as he saw that little luncn
Of his becoming sufficient for this great null
utude? And / VIII guarantee that ne dte
more than five biscuits and two fishes. 1t
was not .nucn of lunch that he brought
with him 10 satisfy a hungry boy. 1t Is more
than likely that his little insides bulged win
fifteen barley loaves and ten fishes!
/ also like to think Of the smile on Jesus
face as He saw with satisfaction the peop'e
being fed To- the full. Possibly He save some
extra pieces to some Of the children as they
ran up to Him. At any rate, He was made
Joyful in seeing the others having their needs
supplied. -
THE JOY OF SERVICE.
when every one had as much they could