dren that they were full when they were hungry. He would be exposed as a cheat and impostor on the spot.
Yet this is the mighty work which our Lord actually performed, and by performing it gave a conclusive proof that He was God. He called that into being which did not before exist. He provided visible, tangible, material food for ten thousand people, out of a supply which in itself would not have satisfied fifty. Surely we must be blind if we do not see in this the hand of Him " who provideth food for all flesh," and made the world and all that therein is. To create is the peculiar prerogative of God.
We ought to lay firm hold on such passages as this. We should treasure up in our minds every evidence of our Lord's divine power. The cold, orthodox, unconverted man may see little in the story. The true believer should store it in his memory. Let him think of the world, the devil, and his own heart, and learn to thank God that his Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, is almighty.
In the second place, this miracle is a striking example of our Lord's comijassion toward men.
He saw a great company in a desert place, ready to faint for hunger. He knew that many in that company had no true faith and love towards Himself. They fol- lowed Him from fashion and curiosity, or some equally low motive. (John vi. 26.) But our Lord had pity upon all. All were relieved. All partook of the food miraculously provided. All were '' filled," and none went hungry away.
Let us see in this the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ towards sinners. He is as He was of old, " the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsufiering.