Read Mark 6:35-51.
“WHAT are those patches of white on the hill side by that wood?” I said, as we drove through a lovely part of Surrey. “Linen bleaching,” said one of our party. “A giant’s washday!” suggested another. But when we came to the place we found they were tablecloths spread on the grass, and that six hundred boys from some London ragged schools were going to have tea in the country. Poor fellows! Very soon they came, and we saw that the huge loads of cake and bread were none too large to feed those thin, hungry lads. In going back we saw the white patches for a long distance, surrounded by the boys, who looked like black dots, like strings of beads, and you will not wonder that we thought and spoke of that other large gathering of people, when Jesus fed the five thousand.
Can you not picture the scene, the day far spent, the lovely color fading from the lake, and the shadows of the multitude lying, long and dark, “on the green grass,” as they all eagerly watched Jesus dividing the food? How wonderful to see Him giving and giving, and yet the loaves grow no smaller! “And the two fishes divided He among them all.” Then Jesus sent His disciples to the other side while He sent the people away. He was on the shore; His disciples were alone in the ship. He departed into a mountain to pray, and they were “in the midst of the sea,” and “the wind contrary” —perhaps feeling very lonely, and thinking Him far off—but all the time “He saw them toiling in rowing,” for, “there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with His eyes.” (Eccl. 8:16). He saw how hard they were rowing, but when He went to them “they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out.” But how kind and gentle He was to them: “immediately He talked with them.” He did not scold, but just “talked” to them.
A little girl had read about children becoming Christians, and she prayed that she, too, might be one. She tried very hard to be unselfish, and do what she knew to be right, but found it, indeed, toil, and often very difficult. All the time “Jesus saw her toiling,” working hard to be saved; but the more she tried to be good, the worse she saw herself to be. Now all the time God was answering her prayers, and the Holy Spirit was showing her her sinfulness. But she was afraid, for she did not know the Lord Jesus—she had not by faith received Him. One night she awoke, feeling miserable, because she thought He did not hear her prayers, and knelt down, when “immediately He talked with her,” and, as it were, came Himself into her heart. Then, indeed, the wind of fear and doubt ceased, and there was a great calm—a peace that has lasted through long years of happy work for “the Prince of Peace.” “When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?” (Job 34:29).
Do you think it strange that the disciples did not know it was Jesus? Do not let us judge others, but look at ourselves. How often, instead of simply looking for Jesus in our troubles, unless He come just in the way we expect Him, we are afraid He is not there! Do not let us say—
“I never will distrust Thee, Lord,
But, grant I never may!”
And, oh! do not “toil” to get “to the other side,” for Jesus is near to you—say unto Him, “O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.” (Isa. 38:14). So He will bring you to “the haven where you would be.”
F. E. T.