The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

200 THE MIRACULOUS FEEDING
on the Sea of Galilee, and twice for the multitude in
the desert. He fed them, because He had compassion
on them. He knew what it was to be
hungry Himself, and he who has felt those pinchings
will never let another feel them, if he can prevent it.
And He gave that meal to the multitude, to teach
His followers through all ages that, unless they cared
for men's bodily wants, they would never touch the
moral and spiritual in them. It is of no use trying to
teach starving people the higher truths. Hunger
drives out every other desire, and deadens for the
time being every other faculty. The Gospel of
eternal life sounds no better than a mockery in the
ears of those who are having a sordid, brutal, terrible
fight to keep this present life going. Relieve their
bodily pains and fierce necessities, and then preach
your sermon.
That was what the Saviour meant by
this miracle, and by the word of command spoken to
the disciples :
" Give ye them to eat."
The story is all exquisitely beautiful, and in every
point and detail suggestive of truths which have
nothing to do with loaves and fishes—truths which
belong to the spiritual realm and the laws of Christ's
kingdom.
I.
First,
the Lord gave His disciples a lesson in
self-sacrifice.
For we cannot help thinking that they had ordered,
and probably purchased, these loaves and fishes for
their own evening meal, and they were not very