Evening star., 1928-03-10
Christs Galilean ministry reached its

Christ's Galilean ministry reached its
crisis with the events recorded in
this lesson It's Importance was rec
ogniZed by the writer's OF the four gos-
pelS. Each records It, Matthew con-
meets 1t with the death of John the
Baptist, which resulted in the disciples
OF the great prophet uniting with the
Master. Luke and Mark link up the
crisis with the return of the apostles
from their missionary tour In Johns
with the PhariSeeS over healing upon
the Sabbath, when Jesus insisted that
'the very works" that He did testified to
His authority. 1t was a sign of His
Messiahship and evidence to the deity
of Jesus. John points out that the
miracle of feeding the crowd took place
when the passover was near.
Jesus had won the hearts of the lib
erty-loving Gilileans by His preaching
and philanthropic ministry of healing
The apostles successful tour had in
creased His popularity. 1t turned
the thought of men toward Him
and they sought Him at His Caper-
naum headquarters. They brought their
sick to Him. They sought Mis- ex-
plantations Of their perplexing religious
problems and interpretations of the Old
Testament Scriptures. His enemies were
trying TO enSnare Him and their oppo-
sition was increased by the Masters
popularity and demonstration OF per-
sonal power. The demands upon the
Lords time taxed His physical strength
but His sympathy for men did not per-
NIT Him TO consider His own needs.
When the apostles returned from
their tour, the presence Of the crowd
interfered with their making a COM
plete report concerning their success.
The reaction OF the report OF the death
Of the Baptist and their need for physi-
cal, mental and spiritual change, be-
cause the presence OF the crowd gave
them no chance TO obtain the required
sleep and food, was observed by the
Lord He proposed to the apostles that
they retire for rest In a secluded Sec
ton OF Bethsaida. They started out
for their first retirement by sailing
about S miles across the Sea OF Gaiilee
to place near the upper Jordan, that
was under Philips rule and beyond the
jurisdiction OF Herod. They knew
secluded spot in the mountains. over
looking the plain. where He hoped to
rest with His disciples The presence
OF the multitude, that had noticed their
departure and had reached the place
by land before their arrival, changed
His program for the day. Although in
their selfishness the multitude had no
consideration for the Master, any more
than they have today for Lindbersi's
wishes for day OF rest Jesus revealed
His compassion and sympathy for the
crowd by devottng the day to teaching
them. Hts shepherd heart saw their
spiritual needs. He was also vitally
int fAA fEN hats xakS.
The multitude had not thought of the
approaching night and their need of
daily bread because they were intense
ly interested in the Masters teaching
and ministry. which probably included
healing OF the sick.
The Needed Bread.
The needs OF the crowd always ap-
pealed 10 the Lord. He saw their con-
dition-like sheep--tired. torn by
thtckets. tormented by beasts without
the protection OF q shepherd. He sees
their needs today In our crowded and
congested centers of population. His
all-Seeing eye watches the great Office
buildings. being emptied OF their en-
ployes, the stores. sending their contri-
button of clerks and customers TO
swell the crowd. that from factory and
Office turn their weary steps homeward.
Jesus sympathizes with the needs Of
every individual. whose face and form
betray hidden tragedy or heavy bur-
den. Our Lords attitude toward indi-
viduals and crowds has not changed.
for His heart goes out 10 every one
who feels the need Of sympathy and
help In every vast assembly.
The disciples suggested that He dis
miss the multitude when "the day
began 10 wear away" 80 that the con-
gregation could scatter In various
directions and secure the needed bread,
The apostles made the mistake that
many Of us have made OF considering
our requirements and forgetting our
resources. Jesus understood the COndi-
iion Of the food supply and the dim
Guilty Of obtaining anything 10 eat easily
In that section Of Bethsaida The Lord
determined 10 supply the food and by
~ doing teach the apostles and all OF
His followers throughout coming time
the source nf all power and success In
His service. So lie ordered them 10
provide the needed bread. just as In
our day He calls upon us In moments
of great distress 10 help supply the
needed food for stricken humanity.
The apostles raised the economic
question III spending the money needed
10 supply the crowd. Christs question
concerning their resources brought
Andrew Lo The front. lie evidently had
been considering the necessity of sup"
| plying their own food aud all that he
could obtain in The multitude WAS "A
small lunch containing flye i0aves and
two fishes. John Is The only one that
| recorded the lads p0ssession of the
| fve thin barley Wafers and the two
| dried ilhh. Jesus ordered that they be-
| brought To Him. The needs 0f the
| crowd appealed Ia the Master, whe
entertained about 5000 guests with The
/ cooperation Of lie lad and THE apoa-
! ties.
| Feeding The Crowd.
| Jesus adopted syaten IN serving The
| multitude. He ordered them t0 ht
sealeh IN groups of 80 and ia hundred
| Dn the grassy hillside. They could eee
! Him when lie look the small supply
| al food and offered Its prayer ~
! thanks and sought iis multiplication
| 10 care for their needs. Every person
could drtecL The food literally Increase
a. He br0ke IL ofi and distributed ~ ~
The aposlies 10 give to The multitude
| Lp eat
our Lord provided for Tho needs 0i
| every member 0i that crowd That day
| by system that prevented any mem"
| her ot that vast assembly being over
4 To- a OH laf tlA &K!AA lAfi