The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 265

Ill. A FULFILMENT OF THE WORLD'S HOPE, IV. AN UNCONS0I0UB PROOF OF HlB BEING THE SAVIOUR OF MANKIND.-M. Vere. 35-44.-Feeding the five thousam,d: a miracle. One of the most sirnally aemonstrative and masterly of Christ's Iniracles, whether we consider the circumstances in which it was wrought, the details of its carrying out, or the dimensions and abso- luteness of the result. How carefullr the evidence was e.ccumulated by Christ of the truly miraculous nature of this work It was a grand display of- I. WISDOM. 1. A practical (and symbolical) discipline of the (Jhurch in its great function towards the world. 2. A demonstration to the world of the principles and order of the kingdom of God. IL PoWEB. 1. Creative. 2. Multiplying human resources. III. MERCY. Wisdom and power co-operative towards the accomplishing of the highest blessing. Mercy the chief work of God as of man. 1. Bodily, in the relief of the hunger, consideration for the weariness of the multitude. 2. Spiritual, in giving spiritual bread, in teaching dependence upon God, and in enjoining_economy of Divine gifts.-M. Vers. 35-44.-Feeding the five thousand: a parable. It is no less remarkable in this aspect; perhaps it was its suggestion of spiritual things which was its chief aim. It sets forth the physical and spiritual dependence of men upon God, and the Divine Father's willingness and power to provide for his children; or, the sufficiency of the kingdom of God for the sustena11ce of its subjects. The nature and principles of Divine mercy to mankind are also suggested. L THE POVERTY OF THE CHURCH. Both discovered and concealed ; discovered to itself, concealed from the world. How delicate the consideration and tact of Christ ! 1. In position. In the desert. For its needs no dependence upon the world is suf- fered, whose gold and silver and bread are" not convenient." 2. In material supplies. Only five loaves and two fishes, and these, as it were, adventitious. 3, In spiritual resource. (1) In evangelical sentiment. How callous the suggestion-" Send them away" I There is no sense of responsibility for the well-being of the multitude, physically or spiritually. The question as to the "two hundred pennyworth of bread" is full of selfish dismay; the sacrifice is contemplated as not only great, but not to be entertained. "Give ye them to eat" conveys rebuke as well as command. (2) In administrative expedients. They had everything to learn. No spiritual imagination is forthcoming to conceive of Divine aid in a grave exigency of the kin~dom of God, to plan for the supply of those who have been led, by eagerness for the bread of life, to imperil their command of material necessities. Had the true feeling been there, the ideas and inspirations required to give effect to it would not have been wanting. Bas the Church of to-day yet risen to its high vocation? Our missionary enterprise and inward institutional development have not been proportionate to our light and privilege. Surely the day is at hand when all these half-hearted and disappointing efforts shall be left behind and forgotten in more vigorous, comprehensive, and statesmanlike under- takings. II. THE RICHES OF CHRIST. 1. A satisfying, saving fulness, administered through the appointf.d means of grace already existent in his Church. The material resources of his people can never be of primary consequence; for: 2. Means rightly used in his name will be indefinitely multiplied to satisfy all the demands made upon it. One man, witli the Spirit of the Lord in him, will be more powerful than Synods and Churches without it. And the means used thus must ever appear disproportionately insignificant as compared with the result, "What is little becomes an abundance through the blessing of God" (Godwin). III. CoNDITIONS OF DIVINE C0Mllf!JNI0ATION TO MEN, There was an antecedent ground for Christ's consideration, viz. that the people had exposed themselves to in- convenience and danger through desire for his doctrine; corresponding to the principle, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and ell these things shall be added unto you." "He provideth the lower good for those who were seeking the higher" (Godwin). But the immediately declared conditions were: 1. Obedience. 'l'be disciples were to do aa he bade them, and so through them, in turn, the crowd. 262 TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. rcH. v1. 1-56 The resources at hand-loaves and fishes-were to be sought for, calculated, and brought forth. The people are bidden to place themselves in a position most fittingly and impressively to receive the benefit to be conferred. 2. Order. There is something very impressive in the symmetrical arrangement, "by hundreds and by fifties." It was manifestly a measure of the highest importance from the point of view of " supply." "Order is Heaven's first law." In the kingdom of God all things must "be done decently and in order." A settled government, properly appointed officers, and, in general, method, system. So in the economy there must be no waste. The saving from one season is to be the supply of another. 3. Divinely commissioned service. Some have supposed that the multiplication of the bread was effected in the ha.nde of Christ; some, in the hands of the disciples; some, in the hands of the multitude; others, in all three stages of its administration. Yet are the apostles-the called and. co=issioned servants of Christ-the true "stewards of the mysteries." The qualifica- tion, however, is not mechanical, but spiritual. It is the Spirit of Christ in them that fits them for their task, and ensures their efficiency. 4. Prayer. The meal is a communion with God. His blessing must .be asked. It is sacramental. Only BB God blesses the provision can it be sufficient. It is obvious that the grand condition of all these requirements is faith. It is the calling forth and exercising of this which crowns the miracle as a consummate gra.ce.-M. Ver. 43.-Spiritual economy. From other accounts we learn that this measure was ordered by Christ. The power and the restraint of Christ are about equally demonstrative of his divinity. A strict and immediate economy is demanded in hie kingdom. We a.re to appreciate the grace received,; its very fragments are to be precious. The life and work of the Christian have to exhibit a wise and careful stewardship. This airection- L ls A SOLUTION TO Oh"E OF TllE GREATEST DIFFICULTIES IN CONNECTION WITH PRAYER. L Answers are ,apparently withheld because they have already been granted and we do not realize it. 2. Further blessing is denied because that actually received has been wasted or despised. II. DISCOVERS A COMMON SOURCE 01!' WEAXNESS AND WANT IN SPffil'rUAL Lll!'E. 1. We have not enough became there has been carelessness and waste. 2. We have not enough (or abundance) because we have been selfish. There has been no desire to keep what has been received for others. Ill. TEACHES US GB.EAT HUllILITY AND GRATITUDE IN THE UBE 01' SPIBITO'AL 6UPPLIES.-M.