Gods Sabbath

T HE J EWISH T RAGEDY

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not do as they expected and demanded of Him, would overwhelm them. This time came at the feeding of the five thousand. Throughout that long day, Christ had spoken the living word which so charmed and thrilled the people that they had not even noticed the passing mealtimes. The setting sun indicated the day’s end and the awareness of physical hunger asserted itself. In His great love and mercy, Christ would not send them away hungry, so taking what food was offered—five barley loaves and two small fishes—He multiplied the meager supply until the en tire populace was fed (see Matthew 14:13–21). The multitude and the disciples were now convinced that Christ was the Messiah. Every doubt had been removed and their faith in Christ was unblemished at that moment. Like a fresh breeze from the ocean sweeping over the land on a parched day, conviction and enthusiasm spread across that vast throng. With intense and eager excitement the words were breathed from their lips, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” John 6:14. Behind this true statement, selfish thoughts lurked in the minds of the people. “All day the conviction has strengthened. That crowning act is assurance that the long-looked-for Deliverer is among them. The hopes of the people rise higher and higher. This is He who will make Judea an earthly paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey. He can satisfy every desire. He can break the power of the hated Romans. He can deliver Judah and Jerusalem. He can heal the soldiers who are wounded in battle. He can supply whole armies with food. He can conquer the nations, and give to Israel the long-sought dominion.” The Desire of Ages , 377.2. Christ certainly possessed the physical might to fulfill every one of these hopes, but His character of infinite love, righteous ness, and justice prevented Him from implementing most of them. For instance, He could have healed the soldiers wounded in bat tle, provided they had the requisite faith and did not wish for the healing in order merely to return to slaughtering their foes. From a humanitarian viewpoint, He could have healed troops from both sides with equal impartiality, but He certainly could not have gone forth at the head of a Jewish army to conquer the nations. The people did not comprehend this. In their minds, Christ’s responsibility as a child of Abraham was to use that wonderful