Give Ye Them to Eat by M. H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 11, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 11.

“Give Ye Them to Eat.”

By M. H.

JESUS said unto them, “They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat.”

There was a great multitude of people; the place was a desert; and the time was late. Added to these discouraging features, the people were hungry, and no food could be purchased. The disciples advised the Saviour to send the people away to the villages where they could buy food. But the Saviour had compassion on them. He knew that many could not buy; He could not send them away empty, and so to the advice of the disciples He replied, “They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat.” The disciples insisted, “We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” In their extremity, He could work gloriously, and calling for the loaves and the fishes, and “looking up to heaven, He blessed and brake, and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And they all ate, and were filled.”

“They have no need to go away.” No soul was ever sent from His presence empty. In all His ministry our Lord turned none away. His counsel, His forgiveness, His blessing, His healing touch, were never refused. But the disciples were so slow to learn His unlimited love. The water became wine at His word, tho the deaf, the blind, the sick, the possessed, were healed at His touch, they saw no way to supply the need of the hour. Within reach of the boundless bounties of Heaven, they would send the hungry away to buy for themselves.

“Give ye them to eat.” A needy people stood before them, more than five thousand men, women, and children, but they said, “We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” What a victory for them had they grasped the opportunity to use the power within the command, “Give ye them to eat.” Had they moved to obey, it would have been done at their word, for never does the Master give a command without the power to carry it out. Never does He ask His children to give but the supply is ready at the demand of faith.

To-day the world is a needy multitude, and the command is just as direct, “Give ye them to eat” not of man’s treasure, but of the treasure of heaven, the Water, the Bread, of life, the Gospel of salvation. His disciples now may, in the language of the Master, give the invitation, “Come unto Me;” “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely;” “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters;” “Seek ye Jehovah while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is near.” To every soul who has been called to be a son of God a work has been given, a work of winning other souls to Him. The storehouse of heaven is open at the call of His servants; therefore, expect much of Him, ask much of Him, even to the delectable riches of heaven.

M. H.