South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-12-26


Stree we took the birth OF
Jesus" for our Christmas lesson last
Sunday let US now study the alter
nate lessOn for last Sunday instead
Of the review.
I. Jesus Healing the Multitude
WV. IL, li.)
l Jesus retired TO the desert ".
13). The news OF the cruel death
CT John the Baptist brought grief
10 the Masters heart, and EIe with
drew to a place of quietness to cora
mune with the Father. The very
best thing for us TO DO In time Of
sorrow is TO flee into the presence of
God. Jesus accepted Johns death
as typical Of what they would co to
Him.
?. Followed by the people ". 80.
He could not be hid. Their interest
in Him was so great that thsy fol-
lowed Him on foot. Where Jesus
really is tho multitude will gather.
3. Jesus healing the sick ". 1D
Although the rulers had broken with
Him. He did not abandon His work
but continued to preach and to work
for the good Of those who would
hear. The mUltitudeS broke in up
with God. but the great heart of the
King was moved with compassion as
He beheld the Tuffering multitudes
sick, lame. blind and palsied.
Though the people brought their
desperate, hopeless cases TO Him
thcle vas nothing too hard for Him.
Tho sight of the multitude as sheep
without a shepherd moved Him. to
pity.
III. Jesus Feeding the Hungry
Multitude wv. 15-21.)
According to the connection in
John (6;1-14) the real purpose CT
this miracle was to show Himself IS
the Bread of External Life sent
from heaven.
/. Jesus conference with the dis
ciples (vv. 1919. % The dis
ciples' request ". 15). They ask
ed that the multitude be sent away.
/ They know that they were in a des-
/ ert place. therefore prudence would
: indicate that they would go TO the
village to buy victuals, or Jesus
/ command Or. 80. "Give We them TO
eat" Such a command would have
/ been utter foolishness had He not
possessed the power to create the
supply; but always with the com
mand OF Jesus goes the power TO do
CD The disciples perplexity ". I'D
/ They said, I'VE have but five loaves
and two fishes" They were count
ing on their meagcr resources, leav-
ing Christ out. To be face TO face
with the humanity impossible is a
/ threefold benefit (a) To make us
| feel our dependence upon Christ
(b) tn drive us to Him for His
help in our need: (c) TO lead us tt
! give the glory to Him for results.
2. Jesus method in feeding the
multitude I've. 1920. % The
Lords part. He created the pro-
visions He is able 10 create that
which will meet the needs Of the
hungry multitude. CD The people:
part. They were TO sit and eat
They were not responsible for tho
creation OF the supply nor It's dis.
tribution, but they were responsible
Ger obedience. CD The disciples
Fart. This was TO take that whict
| the Master had blessed and dis
tribute il We are labcrers togeth
er with God. God has made u'
partners in the salvation OF tn,
world.
III. Jesus Alone I'm the Mountain.
Praying (vv. %. :3.)
I. He induced the disciples to ge
into the ship ". 22). The rea9cr
for this WIS that He desired to keel
them from being mixed up with the
crowd. for they desired to force Hir
10 be king.
2. Multitudes were dismissed "
23). This was 10 prevent the mul
titude from trying TO force the king
! When they saw His wonderful abil
ity to feed the hungry multitude
they desired to have such a maj
| made king.
9. Praying alone (v.23). HI
doubtless was praying for the de
| sciples. He knew what trials the!
would have to undergo. Havin;
been induced by Him to enter th'
ship and being overtaken bv tn
storm. they were doubtless tempted
| to think that a mistake had beer
! made. bubt we should learn tina
tho way which the Lord would hav,
US 20 IS not always without II
storms.