took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. This was one of the many miracles which furnished not only evidence that God was with Jesus, but that he was one with God. These miracles evince such a design, from their being plainly identified with some portion of that agency, which Jehovah was known to have reserved as his peculiar and immediate province-some act which was referred directly to Him, and not to Him through the ministry of his servants. Jehovah had given the Israelites manna-Jesus gives the multitude miraculous food. Jehovah does it in the wilderness-in the wilderness, too, Jesus performs the miracle. To those, therefore, who had understanding to receive the hint conveyed by this miracle, his claim must have seemed the same, as it did to the Pharisees, when they heard him assert, that the Son of man was lord of the sabbath. This miracle had, we know, the effect of producing an attempt to make him a king, and was the cause of his retiring to a mountain. This fact we learn from St. John. But it does not therefore follow, that all looked on our Lord's marvellous act in precisely the light in which the preceding remarks place it. Many might have considered it only as affording proof of his power to support an army miraculously, and be led forthwith to hail him confidently as the Messiah; * See John vi. 26—35. + Chap. vi. 15. supposing, as indeed all the Jews did, that the Messiah was to be a temporal prince. JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA. Ver. 45-52. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out for they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Among the characteristics of Jehovah's power, especially in the language of the Psalms, no one is more prominent than His control of the sea. Sacred literature being the only literature of the Jews, and the Psalms being, as was natural, the more popular portion, these passages must have been familiar to all in a humble walk of life; but most familiar, and most interesting, to men whose employment was on the sea. The apostles, therefore, may be supposed to have seen Jesus walking on the sea, with an impression beyond that which might have been made by another miracle. The act was, doubtless, associated in their minds with many a pious meditation in which they had indulged, while toiling peaceably with their nets, or struggling against the storm. How often must they have called to mind the language of inspiration! 'Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters.' 'The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea than the mighty waves of the sea.* How often must their hearts and lips have appealed to Him, as the only Being who could avert their perils, and bless their labours! The words of Jesus to them, while performing the miracle, would be likely to confirm any such spontaneous suggestions; and were doubtless designed to do So. In the original they are, 'Be of good cheer, I AM.'+ Now I AM was the title which Jehovah had given to himself when he sent Moses to the Israelites. 'And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come. unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.' Accordingly, when Jesus made use of the same expression to the Scribes and Pharisees, and told them, * Psalm lxxvii. 19; and xciii. 4. + Θαρσείτε, ἐγώ εἰμί. Exodus iii. 13, 14. 'Before Abraham was I AM,' they considered it blasphemy, and would have stoned him forthwith, had he not hid himself.* JESUS IS POPULAR. Ver. 53-56. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, and ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment and as many as touched him were made whole. From the eagerness here displayed to receive the benefit of Christ's miraculous agency, it appears that the sensation which must have been created by the miracle of the loaves and fishes did not immediately subside. It is probable, that in this, as in many other instances, persons were convinced by the miracles, who afterwards fell off from the faith. Many of his disciples,' on one occasion,' went back, and walked no more with him ;'+ and this was, doubtless, the condition of numbers. 'Ye are they,' said our Lord to his apostles towards the close of his ministry, 'who have continued with me in my temptations.' Where belief was felt and professed, the danger and trial were not past. It was requisite that our Lord should pray for * John viii. 58, 59. † John vi. 66. Luke xxii. 28. |