The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 69

the Son, by whom nil things were made, blessed this little store of food, that through the power of that Divine blessing it might be multiplied to the satisfaction of the hunger of that great multitude. He gave thanks, St. John tells us. Our food is blessed to our use. It is sanctified by the word of God and prayer when it is received with thanksgiving. We learn of Christ to ask a blessing on our food. To eat bread with unwashen hands, the Pharisees said, was against the tradition of the elders; to eat without asking a blessing is against the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us follow that example, recognizing at every meal the bounty of our heavenly Father; let us look up to heaven, as Christ did, and make the grace before and after meat a real act of worship. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Then the Lord brake the bread, as he brake it a year afterwards at the institution of the Holy Eucharist; as he brake it on the resurrection-day, when he was made known to the two at Emmaus in the breaking of bread. He gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And lo I "they did all eat, and were filled." .It was a mighty miracle, beyond our comprehension, but no wonder to him who filleth all things living with plenteousness. "He was in the world, and the world was made by him." It was only to be expected that the presence of the Son of God should be marked by wonderful works. His presence in the form of man was of all wonders the· greatest-a mystery of almighty power, a mystery of ineffable love. 3. The twelve baskets full. The Lord had provided largely for his guests. There was eriough and to spare. That which remained over and above was more than the five loaves and the two fishes, the little store which they had at first. He bade his disciples, "Gather up the fragments which remain, that nothing be lost." He is an Example at once of generous bounty and of carefulness. He would have nothing wasted. The Christian should guard against waste, that he may have to give to the needy. 4. The number. There were five thousand men, beside women and children. The men were arranged in companies of fifty; they were easily numbered. The women and children seem to have sat apart. Probably there were not many. The multitude seems to have been gathered together for the Passover (John vi. 4), which only men were commanded to attend; though religious women, like the virgin Mary, went sometimes with their husbands. The Lord cared for all alike-men, women, and children. So should his servants do. 6. Lessons of the miracle. Herod feasted in his palace with his nobles, Christ in the wilderness with his disciples; Herod's feast was costly and luxurious, Christ's very simple. The sumptuous banquet of Herod ended in guilt and murder. It was a godless feast, profaned by wicked oaths. The Christian should never be pre- sent at any festivities, any amusements, on which he cannot ask the blessing of God. The simplest food, when Christ is present, when we feel that it is he who gives and he who' blesses, satisfies the Christian's wants. The presence of Christ gives peace and blessedness in the wilderness. Without Christ the gorgeous palace is a desert. Christ can prepare a table in the wilderness; he can provide for his people wherever they are. The multitude had followed him into this desert place. He had compassion on them; he would not send them a.way fa.sting. So he bath compassion now on all who seek first the kingdom of God; he knows that we have need of food and raiment; he will give them. Let us trust in him. But let us pray with the deepest earnestness not for the meat which perishetb, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life. He who on that day fed the five thousand with earthly food, feeds now the ten thousand times ten thousand of bis saints with the bread which came down from heaven. He himself is the spiritual Food of believers. " He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." '!'hey need nothing more whom he feedeth with that heavenly food. .All the cravings of their souls are stilled; all the yea.rnings of their hearts are satisfied with his gracious presence who is the Bread of life. Let us feed on him in the daily life of faith ; let us ask him to feed us with the spiritual food 01 his owu most precious body and blood in the holy sacrament which he himself ordained. LESSONS. I. Try, like Christ, to forget self and to care for others. 2. Trust him always.; he will multiply the five loaves if we am following him. 3. Feast with Christ, not with Herod; with Christians in e. Christian home, not with the wicked in uuholy revolry. Vera. 22-36.-The walking on the sea. I. JEsus LEFT ALONE. 1. He stfflds the  72 THE GOSPEL AC00RD1NG TO ST. M.A.'l"l'H.EW. [on. uv. 1-36.