July 12

PART II. — Matthew 14:15 — 21.

Jesus, having received into his sacred hands the five loaves and fishes, commanded the multitude to sit down. Most likely he did this, first, that the whole might have an opportunity of receiving a supply—that the number who did thus eat might be clearly ascertained; and, finally, that the miracle might be clearly wrought in the sight of them all. Besides, in this way confusion would be avoided, and order, the unvarying law of God, would be beautifully exhibited. It must indeed have been a striking scene, to behold a hundred rows, or lines, consisting of fifty persons in each, all waiting, in breathless silence, to receive from the hands of Jesus a supply of food for their almost fainting bodies. Now, the prefatory process being finished, the Saviour, with the provisions in his hands, lifted up his eyes to heaven, gave thanks, blessed, and brake it. What an exhibition of grateful devotion did Jesus thus manifest! How constantly did he honour his heavenly Father, and what an example hath he thus left us in the reception of the smallest benefit, to sanctify it by prayer and thanksgiving to God! With many, thanksgiving is only offered at the principal meal, as if the minor bounties of heaven were totally undeserving of our grateful acknowledgments. Let the example of Jesus ever impress upon our minds the necessity of constantly seeking the divine glory, and "in every thing to give thanks." Jesus now delivered the broken food to the disciples, that they might bear it to the people. And was it not soon exhausted? — did it last until they had passed the first row of fifty persons? So far from this, they went forth, and, by Christ's almighty, creative, and multiplying power, it increased as they distributed it, and they went from rank to rank, until the whole five thousand, besides women and children, were filled.