145. MAT 14:15-21. THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES

Mat_14:15-21. The Miracle Of The Loaves And Fishes

"And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away," &c.’97Mat_14:15-21

Christ performed such mighty works as no other man did. His miracles were numerous, public, full of mercy and compassion, and were all performed by his own power and in his own name. Let us at present consider the miracle of the loaves and fishes; and in doing so, I. Explain and illustrate the various Circumstances connected with it. And notice, II. The spiritual Lessons which it teaches.

I. Explain and illustrate the various Circumstances connected with the Miracle.

Notice,

1. The occasion of the miracle.

Christ had been healing and teaching the people; the multitude had been so deeply interested, as to forget the necessary wants of the body; were ready to faint for want of food.

2. The place where the miracle was wrought.

It was "a desert place." Had they been in a city or village where provision could have been obtained, a miracle would have been unnecessary. Christ never wrought one superfluous miracle. Here it was necessary that he should convince the people, that he could spread a table for them in the wilderness.

3. The laudable anxiety of the disciples.

They desired that the people might be dismissed, that they might retire and buy victuals in the villages. This was considerate and humane. We ought never to forget that our fellow-creatures have bodies as well as souls; and if we see a brother or a sister destitute of food, and feel not for them, how dwells the love of God in us? Notice,

4. The surprising reply of the Redeemer.

"They need not go away." Not only was the Messiah in the midst of them, but that Messiah was the God of nature and providence; whose hands were daily opened for the supplying of every living thing with good. He then directed them to see what provision they possessed. This was necessary, that it might appear, first, that a miracle was really indispensable; and secondly, that the miracle might appear in its true and real character. It was found that five loaves or biscuits, and two small fishes, were all the provisions they could collect. How totally inadequate to the demands of the many thousands, the hungry multitude! Observe,

5. The commands Christ gave to his disciples.

(1) That the provisions should be brought to him. He did not despise and cast away the loaves and fishes; but made them, as it were, the seed-corn of that abundant supply which he was about to provide. The loaves and fishes were quite unavailing in the hands of the disciples; therefore Christ received them, that his almighty power might be employed upon them.

(2) He commanded the multitude to sit down. That all might be done in order; that the number might be accurately ascertained; and that all might be easily and fully supplied. Then notice,

6. Christ’s conduct with respect to the provisions.

He took it, lifted up his eyes to heaven, gave thanks, blessed it, and brake it. What an example of piety and devotion! How anxious to acknowledge and glorify his Father! What majesty and glory would be seen in the mien and actions of Jesus on this occasion! Then notice,

7. The mode of distribution adopted.

"He gave it to his disciples, and they gave it to the people." Thus did he exhibit his own headship and authority, and thus did he recommend his disciples to the people, as the almoners of his bounty, and the officers of his kingdom. Then observe,

8. The creation and multiplication of the food which took place.

The disciples went forth, supplying each with an abundance; and as they distributed, it increased in their baskets, so that five thousand men, besides, no doubt, as many more women and children, ate and were filled.

Notice,

9. The lesson of frugality which Jesus taught.

He then said: "Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost." And behold, twelve baskets of fragments remained! Many thousand times more than the stock with which the meal was commenced! God is the source of abundance; but he will not sanction extravagance or waste. Let us consider,

II. The Spiritual Lessons which the Miracle affords.

1. In the people we see a striking representation of the moral condition of the human family.

In a desert world’97starving for want of food’97no human means of supply.

2. In the provision we see a true exhibition of the blessings of the gospel.

Its source, Jesus; its apparent insufficiency, yet its abundance, yea, inexhaustibleness. Its freeness and cheapness; without money and without price. Its satisfying nature; all ate and were filled.

3. In its distribution we see the nature of the office of the Christian ministry.

It is, to receive from Christ’s hands the bread of life, and to give it to a dying world. It is Christ’s provision only they are to distribute.

4. In the abundance remaining we see the boundlessness of gospel supplies.

"Enough for all, enough for each;

Enough for evermore."

Myriads have eaten, and yet the bread is undiminished. We learn,

5. That personal participation of gospel blessings is necessary to our happiness and satisfaction.

We must not only be of the multitude, and hear, and see, and sit down with them, but we must, also, eat, receive Christ into our hearts by faith; and thus only can we enjoy he blessings of God’s great, and full and abundant salvation. The invitation is "Come ye, buy and eat; yea, buy wine and milk, without money, and without price."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS