BUSINESS nothing be lost.” What a lesson here against the wastefulness that so many rich Christians, yes, and Christians who are not so rich/ display. v. 13. “Therefore (So) they gathered them together -(up), and filled twelve bas kets with the (omit, the) fragments (broken pieces) o f (from) the five barley loaves, which remained over and above, (omit, and above,) unto them that had eaten.’ The disciples got a basketful apiece to take away, and so were abundantly repaid for sharing with the crowd (cf. Prov. 11:24, 25; Luke 6:38). If they had kept back any of their fittle store they would have gone away empty-handed. John notes the fact that each of these baskets not merely had something in it, but was i full. v. 14. " Then those men, when they had seen (When therefore the people saw) the miracle (sign) that Jesus (which He) did, (add, they) said, This is of a truth that (the); Prophet that should come (cometh) into the world," It was not merely a “miracle,” as the Authorized Version puts it, which the crowd saw, but a “sign,” i.e., a supernatural act that was a sign of the Divine mission of the One who performed it. The wondering crowd, seeing the sign, said, “This is of a truth the Prophet.” Of a truth He is “the Prophet,” nothing could be plainer than that. But He is more than “the Prophet :” the One who has the cre ative power displayed here is the Son of God (ch. 20:31), the One in whom “all the fullness of the Godhead” dwells (Col. 2:9). OUTLINE the disciples propose? Luke 9:12. Was that characteristic of the disciples? Matt. 15:23. Will Jesus ever send any away? John 6:37. Is there ever any lack of anything with Jesus? Phil. 4:19. Why did Jesus want to prove Philip?
252 THE KING’S eye-witness as to what actually occurred. v. 11. “A nd Jesus (Jesus therefore) took the loaves, (;) and when he had (having) given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples distributed (omit, to the disciples, and the disciples distributed) to them that were set down, (:) and likewise (add, also) o f the fishes, as much as they would.”' It was well that the multitude obeyed Jesus and sat down, for Jesus "distributed to them that were set down." We must obey Jesus if we would be fed by Jesus, and we must find rest at Jesus’ feet if we would receive bread from Jesus hand. Philip had attempted to figure out how much was necessary if each one was to “take a little,” but Jesus distributed to them “as much as they would." Jesus does not give little, He gives all that we will. What we get from Him is what we will. There is infinite fullness in Him, abundant supply for every need (Phil. 4:19), but how much of that fullness we personally receive and experimentally enjoy depends upon us. V. 12. "(Add, And) When they were filled, He said (saith) unto H is disciples, Gather up the fragments (broken pieces) that (which) remain (add, over), that nothing be lost.” They were all “filled,” and so it always is at Jesus’ table (Ps. 23:1; Phil. 4:19). But bountiful as Jesus was on this occasion, and bountiful as He always is when we look to Him for a supply, He would not have His bountiful ness teach us wastefulness. Even the "broken pieces” must be gathered up “that
LESSON
(1 ) Food Needed, vs. 1-7. Why did Jesus go across the sea? Mark 6:31. Did the multitude follow Him? Matt. 14:14. How was Christ exercised when He saw them? Mark 6:34. When the people were hungry, what did
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