Jesus and His Bounty.
I. The problem of the disciples. The desert place, the night, and the multitude without food, presented a problem that might well constitute reason for anxiety to any that were of a sympathetic nature. The disciples were prepared for the desert themselves, with or without food; but to be there with five thousand men, besides women and children, and all hungering, was a very different matter. There was no provision in their faith for so unexpected an event. Their advice was to send the multitude away to provide for themselves. There is an easy way out of present difficulties which, if taken, may lead to difficulties in the future which may be of a more unyielding kind than any which beset the present. Great confusion might ensue by sending the multitude hungering away. The disciples seem to have forgotten (1) that the people had followed their Master, not them; (2) that the Master knew as much and more of the multitude than they did; (3) that the Master was moved with compassion towards the people.
II. The solution of the Master. "Give ye them to eat," said the Master. The command seemed extravagant; but they knew that it had not been His habit to gather in where He had not scattered abroad. It made them feel how inadequate they were, with the little they had, to obey it. They had only five loaves and two fishes, do as they would, and with a multitude to feed. The loaves were, however, just what the people needed. We have all some little which, if wisely used, may be of benefit to our fellows. Whatever of good and holy things we have should be holily and usefully employed. The two talents are as valuable within their sphere as five are within theirs. The Master took the five loaves and two fishes from the disciples, and manifested His great power through that which they gave Him. He brought them into the fellowship of His mystery. Our first condition of usefulness is to take the little we have to Christ, if only we have the little. And we shall find that if we have taken whatever of thought and feeling and opportunity we have, and if all have been blessed by Him, that that which is blessed by Him is equal to all that life's occasion demands; but without being blessed our loaves remain five, and the people, however frantic our effort, continue hungering.
J. O. Davies, Sunrise on the Soul,p. 321.
References: Matthew 14:15-21. Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. ii., p. 304; T. Birkett Dover, The Ministry of Mercy,p. 109. Matthew 14:17; Matthew 14:18. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. viii., No. 453.Matthew 14:19. Preacher's Monthly,vol. viii., p. 139. Matthew 14:19; Matthew 14:20. J. Shaw, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xx., p. 76; W. Gresley, Parochial Sermons,p. 209. Matthew 14:22-26. Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. ii., p. 312.Matthew 14:22-33. A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve,p. 128; J. Hawker, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 168. Matthew 14:23. Homiletic Magazine,vol. vi., p. 327; Parker, Hidden Springs,p. 326.