SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 15, 1905

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

LESSON 9.—FEBRUARY 26.—THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES.

Lesson Scripture, John 6:1-14, A. R. V.

(1) "AFTER these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. (2) And a great multitude followed Him, because they beheld the signs which He did on them that were sick. (3) And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. (4) Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. (5) Jesus therefore lifting up His eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto Him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat? (6) And this He said to prove him; for He Himself knew what He would do. (7) Philip answered Him, Two hundred shillings' worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. (8) One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto Him, (9) There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes; but what are these among so many? (10) Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. (11) Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, He distributed to them that were set down; likewise also of the fishes as much as they would. (12) And when they were filled, He saith unto His disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost. (13) So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which remained over unto them that had eaten. (14) When therefore the people saw the sign which He did, they said, This is of a truth the Prophet that cometh into the world."

Golden Text.—"I am the living Bread which came down from heaven." John 6:51.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) After the things considered in last week's lesson, where did Jesus go? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) Who followed Him? Why? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) On arriving at the other side of the sea, what did Jesus do? Verse 3. (4) What feast of the Jews was at hand? Verse 4. (5) What now attracted the attention of Jesus? Then what did He say to Philip? Verse 5. Note 3. (6) Why did Jesus ask this question of Philip? Why did Jesus not need the information thus asked? Verse 6. Note 4. (7) What did Philip say in reply to this question? Verse 7. Note 5. (8) Which of the disciples then volunteered information? Verse 8. (9) What did this disciple say? How did he regard this small supply? Verse 9. (10) Then what did Jesus say? What condition favored their sitting on the ground? How many were there in the company? Verse 10. Note 6. (11) What then did Jesus do with the loaves? And with the fishes? Verse 11. Note 7. (12) What expression indicates that the people all had an abundance to eat? Then what did Jesus say to His disciples? Verse 12. Note 8. (13) How much did they gather of the broken pieces? Verse 13. Note 8. (14) What was the impression made upon the people by this notable work?

NOTES.

1. "The other side," according to Luke (chapter 9:10), was the uninhabited region on the northeast side of the sea, near Bethsaida. There were two reasons why Jesus called His disciples away to this retired spot. (1) He had just heard of the death of John the Baptist, and would fain retire for meditation. See Matt. 14:1-13. (2) The disciples had just returned from an extended tour, and had reported their success to Jesus; and at this moment both Jesus and His disciples were very much overworked, and needed rest. See Mark 6:30-32.

2. The multitude saw Jesus and His disciples leave Capernaum in a boat, and noted which way they were headed. Then many of them started by land toward Bethsaida, and others joined them as they went. The people were attracted by the miracles. Thus Jesus used the people's physical needs with which to draw their attention to the spiritual food He desired to give them.

3. The second reference to a great multitude, in verse 5, is explained by verse 4. There were crowds of people on the highway going to Jerusalem, and many of these were attracted to the scene.

4. Jesus could properly turn to Philip with such a question, for he was one of the three disciples whose homes were in Bethsaida (John 1:44). But the Lord didn't need human counsel; He was directed from heaven in all His words and work. See John 8:28, 29; 12:49; 14:10, 11.

5. Philip answered very readily, and quite correctly, from the standpoint of human estimate, and the amount of his estimate (thirty-two dollars' worth) adds magnitude to the miracle. But Jesus gave opportunity for the disciples to realize that spiritual possibilities can not be reckoned by physical quantity or temporal values.

6. "Make the people sit down." Mark (chapter 6:40) says "they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties." This was an evident preparation for a satisfactory meal, and the order assured that none should be passed by. It also demonstrated that Jesus knew beforehand what He would do. "About five thousand." Matthew (chapter 14:21) says "about five thousand men, beside women and children."

7. Jesus gave thanks for that which was not yet in sight, just as He would have done had the vast quantity of provision been heaped up before Him. He dispensed the food by the hands of His disciples, just as He dispenses spiritual blessings to the world through the ministration of His children. The Gospel is ever proclaimed through human agency. The people were given "as much as they would" eat of both loaves and fishes. So with spiritual food, there is no limit only in the desire and assimilation of the receiver.

8. The gathering of the fragments was at the command of Jesus, as a lesson in frugality. His power was not to be exercised to encourage wastefulness. The twelve baskets of remains would make another meal for the disciples. So the Lord gives spiritual blessings for use, and not to be wasted or employed for any purpose but the legitimate work of the Gospel. It is well to note, also, that this miracle is the only one mentioned by all the Gospel writers. Thus its importance is indicated by the Spirit that inspired their records.

9. The effect of the miracle was to convince the people that Jesus was the expected Prophet. But they showed the error of their time in regard to the mission of that Prophet by determining to make Him king. And this purpose was actuated by the thought that such a king could readily supply their temporal needs. When the same people sought out Jesus the next day in Capernaum, He told them that they were only seeking Him because of the loaves and fishes; and then He gave them and us this counsel: "Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life." See verses 15 and 22-27 of lesson chapter.