John 6:1-21 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.… Why this to Philip? At the beginning of all His ministry we read, "Jesus findeth Philip, and said unto Him, Follow Me." Then Philip findeth Nathanael, to tell the news. But he does not say, "We have been found," but "We have found Him," etc. A fairly good confession, though giving man the lead instead of God. No wonder, then, that by and by, even at the end, Philip was but half-persuaded of our Lord's ministry, saying, "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us." Philip being thus, to Philip teaching comes well in the question set to him, and he shall say and find whether bread and holy living comes from earth or heaven. He still thinks it must begin from man's side. He calculates the bread required; he gives an estimate of cost Peter comes a little nearer with a grain or two of faith; he can get "five loaves and two fishes; but what are they among so many?" That is a question to write up and keep before us, if we are ever tempted to despise the day of small things. What is the missionary among so many? or the pastor, or the Sunday-school teacher, or the district visitor? What is the adequacy of the writer, or the speaker, or the worker? of the society, of the corporate body, of the home word, or any influence of teaching or of help? They are all insufficient, palpably and avowedly, in themselves; yet they may, like the loaves here, get a sufficiency from Christ. One little agency may still become the grain of mustard seed He sows, the little piece of leaven He puts into the lump. What is an help among so many? What may it not be as it passes into our Saviour's hands? (Canon T. F. Crosse, D. C. L.) Parallel Verses KJV: After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. |
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