32   And they went away in the boat to a desert place apart. 33   And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them. 34   And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 35   And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is desert, and the day is now far spent; 36   send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves somewhat to eat. 37   But he answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, shall we go and buy two hundred shillings' worth of bread, and give them to eat? 38   And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39   And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40   And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 41   And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 42   And they all ate, and were filled. 43   And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes. 44   And they that ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Verse 32. For what purpose, and at whose suggestion did they go away? See v. 31.

Verse 33. Did the people give them the much-needed rest they were seeking? Was Jesus at all impatient or fretted because the eager crowds spoiled his rest? What, on the other hand, did He really do? Luke 9:11.

Verse 34. What emotion came over Him when He saw the multitude? What did He do for them? Is it good to let any good and tender emotion die within us, without turning it into an action?

Verse 35, 36. What was the cause of the disciples' anxiety for the multitude? Who had first suggested this difficulty when the multitude first gathered? (John 6:5, 6). Were the disciples perplexed? Was Jesus perplexed?

Verse 37. What strange command did He give His disciples? Were they able (so far as they could see) to comply with it? When Jesus gives us orders, is not the guarantee of our ability to fulfil them included? (In the light of that consider Matt. 28:18-20). Was the disciples' answer more "businesslike" than it was of faith?

Verse 38. What was Jesus' first question? In order that He may work through us, must our all be brought to Him and surrendered into His hands? How much did they have? Was

that adequate? (John 6:9). Are our resources sufficient to accomplish God's great work? But if given into Jesus' hands can He make them sufficient? (2 Cor. 3:5).

Verse 41. What did He do with that which the disciples brought to Him? (Four things). What lesson in this to Christ's servants? (1. Bring your resources to Him in whole-hearted surrender. 2. He takes them at your hands. 3. He blesses and puts them into shape for true use. 4. He gives them back to us to use. 5. We hand them out to our fellowmen on His behalf. 6. Men are helped and blessed through our ministry).

Verse 43. Why were the remnants of the food taken up? (John 6:12). Although He could produce it by His omnipotent will, and although He distributed it freely and abundantly, did He hold it cheap or countenance any waste of it? Should Christians waste anything at any time? Should they economize closely in the use of all God's blessings? But should they be stingy and picayunish? [118]

Source: Fourth Lord's Day Lesson of March. Lesson 12. March 24, 1918. Jesus Ministering to the Multitude