547. MAT 14:15-21. MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES
Mat_14:15-21. 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, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals: but Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat," &c.’97Mat_14:15-21.
Jesus had been employed during a long day in teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and in doing good to the bodies and souls of men. A multitude of persons had been listening to his discourses, and witnessing the miracles he had wrought. They were now in a desert place, and the shades of evening were surrounding them. The disciples under a feeling of concern for the people, urged the Saviour to dismiss them, that they might return to the villages, and buy themselves victuals, Mat_14:15. To this the Redeemer replied, "it is not needful for them to depart. Give ye them to eat," Mat_14:16. They then explain to him the small store they possessed: "We have here but five loaves, and two fishes," Mat_14:17. A quantity quite inadequate to the wants of so large a multitude.
These then were the circumstances in which they were placed. Christ, however, had a glorious purpose in view. He knew how easily he could meet all their necessities. Observe then,
I. The limited provision in the hands of Christ. He said in reference to the five loaves, &c., "bring them hither to me," Mat_14:18. In the hands of the disciples, this provision was utterly incapable of feeding thousands of persons. But how altered is the case when as so many, golden grains of seed,’97this provision is in the hands of the Saviour. Those hands that formed the universe’97that stretched out the heavens as a curtain. That roll all the planets in their orbits. That guide and rule over all.
Notice,
II. The order enforced. The multitude were directed to sit down. The other evangelists add’97that they sat in companies, fifties and hundreds. Thus there would be no confusion. None would be overlooked. The exact number would be ascertained, and also the whole miraculous process would be better observed by all. Order is described by one, as heaven’s first law. It is evident that the Lord was the author of order and peace, and not of confusion. Wise arrangement and beautiful order characterize all the works of God. Sin threw disorder into the world. Sin produces disorder in the soul. The reign of grace in the heart, is the reign of order.
III. The devotion, &c., exhibited. Order makes way for devotion. We now behold Jesus,
(1.) Looking up to heaven in the spirit of adoration and love to his heavenly Father.
(2.) He blessed the food. He sanctified it for this miraculous occasion, by holy thanksgiving. Acknowledged God as the bountiful giver, &c.
(3.) And brake. Divided the small loaves into lesser portions.
(4.) And then presented it to his disciples that they might bear it to the people. He thus honored his disciples. He thus presented an emblem of their real office and work, to receive from him the bread of eternal life, and to bear it to the perishing multitudes of mankind. Observe,
IV. The miracle now wrought. The disciples bore it to the people. But there would not be a morsel each for them. Here then the Divine power was displayed. In Christ’s hands as he brake it, in the disciples’ hands as it was borne to the people; or in the baskets as it was carried from company to company, the provision increased and multiplied’97there was no lack. Every one of the five thousand men, and all the women and children ate, and ate heartily, and there was more than enough for all. For of the five small loaves, and two fishes, there were twelve baskets full of fragments, Mat_14:20, Mat_14:21. Observe,
V. The striking features of this miracle. (1.) It was public. In the face of thousands.
(2.) It was beyond the power of collusion. For a sufficiency of provision for so many thousands could not have been smuggled into their midst.
(3.) It was most palpable. They saw it. They did more, they ate. It removed the sensation of hunger’97they were filled.
(4.) The number of the partakers rendered imposition impossible. Doubtless there were all sorts of persons. If any doubt could have been thrown upon it, it would have been done. But they all ate, and they were all living actual exemplifications of the truth of the miracle which had been wrought. Observe,
VI. The lesson of frugality which is administered to us. According to another evangelist, Jesus said’97"Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost." Those hand; that had borne the miraculously increasing provision, were not to be wasteful, and to neglect the broken pieces that fell to the ground. These were all to be collected, and of these twelve baskets full remained. What lessons of prudence and frugality are thus taught to us.
(1.) How many temporal mercies are wasted in extravagance, while hundreds have scarcely food to eat.
(2.) How many waste their means in profligacy, and bring themselves to want.
(3.) How many waste their talents instead of employing them in the service of God.
(4.) How many waste their time and opportunities of getting, and doing good. To each and all of these how important the admonition’97"Gather up the fragments," &c.
Application
1. In the multitudes hungering for food, we have a striking representation of the famishing state of mankind in reference to spiritual things.
2. In the compassion and power of Christ, we see the hope of the perishing sinner. Unless Christ pity and help, the wandering sinner must perish.
3. In the disciples bearing the food to the people, we see exhibited the nature and design of the Christian ministry. They are to break unto men the bread of life. They are to communicate to souls the blessings of the gospel, which Christ has intrusted to them.
4. In the abundance of the provision, we see the fulness of the gospel.
Here is’97
"Enough for each’97enough for all,
Enough for evermore."
5. In the satisfaction of the multitude, we learn that personal partaking of Christ is essential to our happiness.
We must feed upon Christ by faith. "Except a man eat his flesh and drink his blood," &c. Hearing merely will not do. We must by living faith receive the grace of God into the soul. This gives real and permanent satisfaction. There is no lack to those who fear the Lord. "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Have you listened to Christ’s words? Have you waited on Christ in his ordinances? Have you believed on him to the salvation of your souls?
Autor: JABEZ BURNS