The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 74

Ve1'11. 16-21.--Jesus feeding the multittuie. On the death of John the Baptist Jesns retired to the eastern side of the lake, oppressed with grief and longing for a time of seclusion. But it was one of his trials that he was forbidden the rest of privacy when he most craved it. The crowds followed him with such enthusiasm that they quit-Al forgot to provide themselves with needful food, and therefore when the evening was come they were out among the lonely mountains faint and hungry. Jesus had not brought about this awkward siluation. But he could not see distress without desiring to remove it. Thus there was an adequate occasion for the wonderful feeding ef the thonsa.nds. L JEIIUII BAB COMl'.ABSION ON BODU.Y DISTRESS. He had manifested this compassion earlier by healing the sick who were brought out to him in this remote region; and now the sight of the weary multitude touched hie heart, as it became apparent to him that the evening shadows would find them far from home and without the means of p-oviding themselves with their evening meal 1. The motive of Christ was compassion. This was the motive of his life-work and of his atoning death. He came into the world because he took pity on the world's misery. The same motive moved him in particular actions. Thie is the grand Christian motive. The passion of pity is a peculiarly Christ-like feeling that seems to be rising among us in the present day. 2. Tiu trouble was bodily distress-hunger. Then it is a Christ-like thing to feed the hungry. We are not to neglect men's bodies in caring for their souls. II. JESUS HELPS THROUGH E.ABTBLY :IIEANB. He utilized the existing provisions. He did not create food out of nothing, but he wrought with the loaves and fishes already in hand. They were few, but he did not despise them, for they were invaluable in affording a foundation for his miracle. Christ now uses the instruments of human work. We have to contribute our share, and if we selfishly or despairingly refuse to do so we ha'l'e no right to look for his blessing. III. JEsus PRODUCES WONDERFUL PROVISIONS. We do not know how the miracle was wrought; we cannot even conceive of it. But we do not know how God makes the corn to grow in the fields. Nature only seems to us less wonderful than miracle because we are familiar with her external aspect and her visible processes. Dut behind all nature, as behind every miracle, there ie the unfathomable mystery of life and being which God only understands. It ie enough for us that our Lord is not thwarted, that there is nothing to which he sets his band in which he fails. He is powerful as well as pitiful We bemoan the distress we cannot aid. When Christ ill moved with compas• Bion he helps effectively. IV. JEsus B.ATIBFIEB THE BUNGBY, He gave no princely banquet, but mere loaves and fiehes--tbe co=on barley loaves of the poor, the familillr fishes of the lake. His &1bject was not to pamper jaded appetites-that was not needed in the keen mountain err. uv.1-36.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 77