Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-03-03
International Sunday
School Lesson for
March 4
JESUS FEEDS THE
FIVE TIL ~ S A N D

daily bread" Mat s IL.
Lesson Text-Jno 6:1-l4. (Study l.
81. Memorize VS.. 10. I'D
ID After these things Jesus went
over (away to the other side Of the
sea of Galilee, which is the sea of
Tiberias. CD And great multitude
followed him. because they saw his
miracles (beheld the siens) which he
did on them that were diseased tsick).
go And Jesus went up into (thel
mountain, and there he sat with his
disciples. (D And (Now) the pass
over, the feast of the Jews, was nigh
at cat hand). 90 When Jesus then
lifted up his eyes, and saw great
company come unto him great multi
tude cometh unto him). he saith unto
Philip. Whence shall we buy bread,
that these may eat? 90 And this
he said to prove him: for he himself
knew what he would dc. co Philip
answered him. TWO hundred penny
worth of bread is not sufficient for
them, that every one Of them may
take a little. (S) One of his dis
ciples, Andrew, Simon Peters brother,
SAITH unto him. 90 There is lad
here. which hath five barley leaves,
and two small fishes: but what are
they (these) among so many? C0)
And Jesus said. Make the men (peo-
grass in the place. SO the men sat
down in number about five thousand
I'D And Jesus took the loaves, and
when he had given thanks, he distri-
buted to the disciples, and the dis
ciples to them that were set down:
and likewise of the fishes as much
as they would. O2) And) When
they were filled, he said (saith) unto
his disciples, Gather up rhe fragments
(brol1en pieces) that remain, that no.
thing be lost. Q3) Therefore they
gathered them up, and filled twelve
baskets with the fragments OF (brok-
en- pieces from the five barley loaves
which remained over and above unto
them that had eaten. t1G Then
those men,. when they had seen the
miracle that Jesus did (whcn there
fore the people saw the sign which
he did they) said This is of truth
that uhe) prophet that should come
Geometry into the world.
Time.-April. a. ID. IS. Place
Northeast shore of Galilee Lake.
Exposition-I The Hungry Multi
tude ard the Helpless Apostles. la
Jesus. weary in body and bereaved in
heart (Mat. IA IA: II. 49, had made
long journey TO an unfrequented
spot 10 be alone with his disciples
for much needed rest and counsel
But He did not get the rest or quiet
He so sorelv needed. He who loved
solitude lived continually in a crowd
(Mat -. 20 S: /: Il: 10; Is: ?: Il:
IA Is. 30. 3D. There is nothing
more wearisome than a crowd. unless
one is very full of love. His was
when we grow so tired Of the crowd
let us remember how the Masters
life was spent. II was the incessant
coming and going of the crowd that
had driven Jesus to seek this seclu-
sion (Mk g. 80. But He did not
thus escape them. They followed
Him. And how did he feel? HE
welcomed them" ULu. 8: III r W.
Oh, wonderful lovei His own need
sings out of sight as He beholds
theirs. The desire and need Of rest
is forgotten and the whole day spent
in teaching and healing Uu. s: II.
l2). Jesus was interested in and
solicitous about the multitude. They
were never TO Him ''the common herd"
or "the rabble." They were sheep
not having Il shepherd" and He made
Himself shepherd unto them. That
throng drawing near the mountain
was largely composed Of the poor
but the souls of the poor were a.
precious to Him as the souls OF the
rich tMat. II. 49,. II He were really
the acknowledged head of the Church
today the Church would not seek the
houlevards where the few rich live to
the neglect of the alleys where the
many poor swarm. II was several
hours before this crowd would need
feeding. but Jesus considers their
coming need at once, and sets His
disciples to considering II. He takes
il for granted that they are to eat
with Him So He puts to Philip the
question, Whence are we to buy
bread that these may eat?" II is to
test Philip. VIII he arise 10 the oc-
casion and saw. Master, there is no
difficulty at all about that because
you are here Thy hand is quite suf-
ficient for the emergency" Philip
might well have done that. for he had
seen the water become wine in an
other hour of emergency. and he had
seen other manifestations of the full
ness of divine power that there was
in Jesus. But alas, Philip was ike
us. slow of spiritual perception and
slow of faith. and is at II loss To see
how Jesus can provide bread for five
thousand (cf M. IL. 21-Z3: Ps. IS;
i9). How often we are aghast at the
great work before us. or rather be-
fore Christ. and the small visible re-
sources at hand. Philips answer is
most amusing. He figures out just
how much II win cost to buy enough
so that every one may take a little
All, Jesus don't provide "A little" for
those who SIT at His table. Philip.
though, is quite typical church
treasurer: he believed in carrying
| on the Lords work on strictly bust
ness principles" Andrew for n mo-
ment, ventured a suggestion that
there was a little boy present with
five loaves and two little fish. but
he was at once frightened at the APP
parent absurdity of his suggestion
and blurted out. but what are they
| among so manv?" But they proved
to be quite sufficient among so many,
| for the Lord Himself took these in
significant things into His own hands
and multiplied them. We often are
tempted to say of our insignificant
gifts and possessions. but what are
these" quite sufficient Jesus re-
| plies, If you will only put them into
my hand" The lad who had come
along with his five little cheap bar
| ley crackers and two little salt fish
| PLAYED a great part in that days
working. Jesus took him into part
| norship with Himself. and Jesus and
| he fed the multitude. A small boy
with very meagre means is of vast
account If he puts what he has in
Jesus HAND, even though the Andrews
| think he don't amount to much. Jesus
left His question to work all day in
| the minds of Andrew and Philip He
Himself knew what He would do
| He always does. As evening drew on
h. Ill efx.fs. Ix..I % cot LODI A