The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 84

inadequat.e. In this error also the disciples have many ell.ccessors. (3) Boon, however, they discovered that the God of Israel was among them. The five loaves and two fishes were so multiplied that the thousands were satisfied, and the fragments left were greatly in excess of the original store. Hallelujah I 2. This recalls an earlkr ecene. (1) Every reflective person in that company would be reminded of the earlier miracle when their fathers in the wilderness were fed from heaven with manna. Even the desert was suggestive. Moreover, "the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh n (see John vi. 4), and many in this company were on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate that feast, so significantly recalling the history of the Exodus. (2) Who, then, but the same God of Israel, who fed the fathers with that heavenly bread, is this Jesus who now feeds their children no less miraculously? 3. This al,so anticipates a later scene. (1) Thu broken bread was a type of the Bread of life, to be broken fur the spiritual nourishment of believers (see John vi. 26, 27). "By it" Jesus "proclaimed himself the Bread of the world, the Source of all life, of which there shall be enough and to spare for all evermore" (Trench). (2) The Lord gave the bread to denote the life we have in oom.mut:.ion with him. The identity of the teaching in the argument of Jesus upon this miracle (see John vi.), with the teaching of the Eucharist, cannot be missed. (3) This, by parity of reasoning, invests with new interest the corresponding miracle of the multiplication of the wine at the marriage (see John ii. 1-11). The communion of Christ is the cheer of our joy as well as the food for our need. • ill THERE IS THE SERVICE. 1. Tlie King heads his table. (1) "We have here but five loaves, and twc> fishes." God often permits his servants to be brought low that they may have the more frequent opportunities of trusting him. (2) "Bring them hither to me." If we bring our frngal fare to Jesus for his blessing, he will make it a sufficiency for the body and a sacrament to the soul (cf. Ps. xxxvii 19; Hag. i. 9). He clothes himself with a body that he may encourage us to depend upon him for the supply of our bodily wants. He takes special care of the bodies of those who are engaged in bis service. (3) "Looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake.'' God's creatures must be received with thanksgiving (see 1 Sam. ix. 13; Acts ii. 46, 47; xxvii. 35; 1 Tim. iv. 4). But the blessing of Jesus was more than a thanksgiving. (4) The presence of Christ can tum a "'ilderness into a paradise ( cf. Isa. xli. 19, 20; Ii. 3). 2. The disciples are the servitors. (I) They are commissioned to order the multitude into companies (see Luke iL 14). These fifties are representative of the Churches of Christendom• which are presided over by the ministers of Christ. What Christ designed· for his Churches he siguified by his servant John (Rev. i.1-4). (2) They were commissioned to give the loaves to the multitude. Receiving the bread of life themselves, they·are strengthened to minister it to others. Through their hands the multitudes are :to receive it from the Lord (cf. eh. xxiv. 45; 2 Cor. v. 20; vi. 1). (3) The bread multiplies in their hands. Herein the Word of God proves itself to be the 1iving bread. So it is like seed. The living Word is the life of the word preached. ~s seed is multiplied, not by hoarding, but by sowing, so is the Word. "There 18 that scattereth, and yet inereaseth.'' Not1i: What we give in charity should first be given to Christ, that his blessing may multiply its benefit. They that have little must relieve others out of that little, that they may have more. (4) They are instructed·to " gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost" (John vi. ,12), What they gave they received back manifold. There were " five loaves," one for every thousand men ; they gathered up twelve hand-baskets full, one for each apostle,· They had also fragruents over from the fishes ( Bee Mark vi. 43; Lnke xv. 17).-J. A. M. .• Vers. 22-33.-Lessons of the storm. The wonderful narrative before us suggests many lessons, amongst which the following may be noted, viz.- • I. THAT JESUS IS A PARTY TO THE TROUBLES OF BIB DISCIPLES. 1. These are ofteJn i,nduoed by their own folly. (1) After the miracle of the loaves the multitudes wer_e eager to proclaim Jesus as their national King. From what we learn from·John (".1• 15), it would seem the disciples were more disposed to second their wishes than to aid their Master in his efforts to send the people away. In this they were moved by the ignorant prejudices of the times. Note: '!'he ignorance of his dis~iplcs has ever beeo a trouble to Chrit;t. (2) This was the occasion of their having tQ embark and put tp sea, and consequently of their having to encounter a terrific storm. Note: We ma:, 1·a, xrv. 1- 86.] THE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW 87