George Hutcheson
11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down, and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
In this verse we have the miracle it self, and the manner of it; that Christ having given thanks, did distribute to the disciples, and they to the people, and that it grew among all their hands, so that every one got as much as they would. Whence learn, 1. Christs undertaking to do great things for his people, will not prove evanishing flourishes, but real works; for; he who bid them do several things in order to this work, doth now work it gloriously. 2. This thanksgiving and blessing, premitted to the miracle, teacheth 1. That all our refreshments should be sanctified and gone about with prayer and praise, Deut. 8.10. Considering, that they are great mercies, though ordinary; that it is his word and blessing which maketh them feed us; that this is a mean to draw down a blessing upon them, as Christ here doth on the loaves and fishes; that hereby they are sanctified to us, 1 Tim. 4.4, 5. and, that it is a mean to sweeten common mercies to us, when we acknowledge them to come down from heaven, as proofs of love, and do so take them out of his hand. 2. That chearfulnesse and thankfulnesse to God is to be made conscience of by them who have sober and course fare, as well as if they had choisest dainties; for, so doth Christs practice teach, when he had but barley loaves and fishes. 3. That God alone must have the glory of all the wonderful works he doth for his people. Therefore doth Christ give thanks and blesse, as Mediatour, to testifie that it was by the power of God that he (being one with the Father) did the work. Doctrine 3. This miracle it self, and the distribution by the disciples to the people, and the encrease of the loaves, teacheth. 1. As by curing the sick and diseased, Christ proved himself to be a Physician for all their plagues and sores: so by this he proves himself to be the true spirituall food of souls, as he cleareth in the following Sermon. 2. It is not abundance, that is necessary for the maintenance of the life of man, but Gods blessing upon what a man enjoyes, be it lesse or more; for, so doth this miracle teach. 3. It is Christ that sends every man his portion and allowance, through whose hand soever it comes, for though the disciples give immediately to the people, yet it is Christ who, by them, doth distribute. 4. Christ allowes much benefit upon his servants and minds it, in his employing them betwixt him and his people; for, he employeth them to distribute unto the people, not so much that they might get wherewith to refresh themselves, and satisfie their hunger, but especially, that their faith might be confirmed, by being so near witnesses of the glory of this miracle. 5. Obedience to a command, and making use of what we have, is a mean to make it encrease and grow as there is need; for, in distributing that small portion at Christs command, it growes. 6. Christs servants may expect to have their endeavors blessed, when they get their furniture out of his hand, and employ themselves as his instruments, in dispensing thereof: for, the disciples getting their provision out of Christs hand, and so distributing it, to feed his people, it growes among their hands. 7. Christs allowance is very large; he can make course fare of barley-bread and fish satisfie men with his blessing; he can make little of it suffice never so many, and let every one have no scant: for, they got all as much as they would.
