Chapter 38—The Kingdom Threatened
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by
force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself
alone.
John 6:15
.
Seated upon the grassy plain, in the twilight of the spring evening, the
people ate of the food that Christ had provided.... No human power could
create from five barley loaves and two small fishes food sufficient to feed
thousands of hungry people. And they said one to another, “This is of a truth
that Prophet that should come into the world” (
John 6:14
).... He can conquer
the nations, and give to Israel the long-sought dominion.
In their enthusiasm the people are ready at once to crown Him king. They
see that He makes no effort to attract attention or secure honor to Himself....
They fear that He will never urge His claim to David’s throne. Consulting
together, they agree to take Him by force, and proclaim Him the King of
Israel.... Jesus sees what is on foot, and understands, as they cannot, what
would be the result of such a movement.... Violence and insurrection would
follow an effort to place Him on the throne, and the work of the spiritual
kingdom would be hindered. Without delay the movement must be checked.
Calling His disciples, Jesus bids them take the boat and return at once to
Capernaum....
Jesus now commands the multitude to disperse; and His manner is so
decisive that they dare not disobey.... The kingly bearing of Jesus, and His
few quiet words of command, quell the tumult, and frustrate their designs.
They recognize in Him a power above all earthly authority, and without a
question they submit.
When left alone, Jesus “went up into a mountain apart to pray.”... He
prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that
Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment....
In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples.... Their long-
cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a
most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the
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