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The repetition of the feeding of the 5,000 by the feeding of the 4,000 seemed
intentional, but the disciples did not at the time appear to grasp the Lord's purpose. The
Lord rebukes both lack of memory and lack of faith as to these two miracles (16: 5-12).
He rebukes the lack of faith again when the disciples confessed their inability to cast out
the demon (17:), and reminds them that prayer and fasting were essentials. Peter shares,
however humbly, in the miracle of the tribute money; the disciples take a part in the
miracle of the colt, and when the disciples marveled at the withering of the fig tree, they
are again reminded of the faith which removes mountains. There is a reason for this,
"Greater works than these shall ye do, because I go to My Father", said the Lord, and
Mark 16: closes with the words, "The Lord working with them, confirming the Word
with signs following". These are therefore all indications of the coming dispensation of
Pentecost. All was now awaiting that sign of all signs, the sign of the prophet Jonah.
The references to the coming of the King, and the hosannas to the Son of David, again
indicate how near the common people were to accepting the Lord as their Messiah. What
a shocking charge lies at the door of their spiritual rulers, who instructed them to choose
Barabbas instead of Christ! How soon will this piece of history be repeated on a grander
scale? The spiritist activity seems to indicate that the Lord is near.
There are two miracles which we reserve for more detailed consideration owing to
their bearing upon the dispensational outlook, namely, that of the woman of Canaan, and
that of the withered fig tree. These we hope to deal with in our next article.
#6. Two Miracles of Dispensational Importance
(Matt. 15: 21 28, and 21: 19).
The Syrophenician Woman (Matt. 15: 21 28).
pp. 173 - 175
All the miracles, as do all the parables, have a definite dispensational character, but
the two we select in this article have that character in a very prominent way. The first of
the two take place near the close of the Lord's ministry as the Son of David, the second
near the close of His ministry as the Son of Abraham. Soon after working the first
miracle the Lord began to speak of His approaching death, while soon after the second
He was led away to be crucified. A simple outline of the miracle of Matt. 15: 21-28 is
as follows:--
A1 | Have mercy, O Lord, Thou Son of David.
B1 | But He answered; not a word.
A2 | Send her away for she crieth after us.
B2 | But He answered; not sent but to lost sheep of Israel.
A3 | Lord, help me.
B3 | But He answered; not take children's bread and cast to dogs.
A4 | True Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs.
B4 | Then Jesus answered, O woman, great is thy faith.