John 6: Jesus The Bread of Life Part 1

 

John 6: Jesus The Bread of Life Part 1

John 6:1-14: Jesus Feeds The Multitude and Teaches His Apostles

Vs. 1-4  How much time has passes since chapter 5?
Almost a year has passed. The feast of the Jews was mentioned in chapter 5 and now in chapter 6 is drawing near again. Jesus and the disciples may have been working in Capernaum for several months before this chapter opens.

What was the purpose of Jesus asking Phillip where they would buy bread?
Phillip was a native of Bethsaida, the nearest town, it would be natural to ask him this question. But more than that, Jesus was testing Phillip and the other disciples as well.

What was the desired outcome of this kind of test?
That the apostle’s faith in Jesus would be strengthened.

When God tests us today, what is His purpose?
God tests us to make us better, stronger, more faithful. The word is used in the same way as purifying a precious metal. The testing makes the metal more pure, more valuable.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

James 1:3-4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Vs. 7 A pennyworth of bread (denarii) was an average day’s pay. In today’s money, if an average day’s pay were $100, what is the value of the bread Phillip is worried about?
200 x 100 = $2000.00  That is a big potluck!

Vs. 8 Andrew finds a lad with 5 loaves and two fishes.  Where do you think this lad come from?
He may have been traveling with the pilgrims for the Passover.  He could have been a helper in Peter and Andrew’s fishing boat who would have kept up with their own provisions.

Vs. 11 Are there other times when we see Jesus saying the blessing before eating?  What is significant about Jesus blessing the loaves and fishes before eating them?  
In Luke 24:30 with the two disciples on the Emmaus Road.  
Jesus giving the blessing is a strong object lesson, if even Jesus, the creator, gave thanks for the food, how much more should we.

The traditional Jewish blessing for food was, “Blessed art thou, Jehovah our God, King of the world. Who causes to come forth bread from the earth.”

Vs 12-13. What was the purpose of gathering up the leftovers in twelve baskets?
By gathering up the fragments the apostles would truly and personally see the power of God. Each one of them would carry their own lesson in the sufficiency and power of God.

Application of the Loaves and the Lad

No matter how little I may have, if it is given in to God in His service it will be used to carry out God’s will. It may not be supernaturally multiplied but it will be supernaturally used.

Following Jesus example what can I learn about turning a problem into an opportunity?

Step 1.  Is there a genuine need that can be an opportunity for God to work? (When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him,)
Step 2.  Share the need with others. (he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread)
Step 3.  Is this a test from God? (this he said to prove him)
Step 4.  What are our resources? (There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes)
Step 5.  Use what you have and trust God to make it sufficient. (Jesus took the loaves; and … he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes)
Step 6.  Pray for God’s blessing and give Him the glory. (and when he had given thanks)
Step 7.  Look for the lesson God wants you to learn from this crisis/ opportunity.  (Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.)
John 6:15-21 Jesus Forsakes The Multitude and Saves His Apostles
 

Read the parallel passages

Mark 6:45-52 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

Matthew 14:22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Vs. 15. Why did Jesus send the Apostles away?
The multitude wanted to make him a political King. There was a danger to the apostles both in being swept up in the crowd’s hysteria or in being hurt by the crowd if they opposed it.

There are several miracles in this passage. What are they?

1.    Jesus knows his disciples are in trouble in the sea. (He is master of knowledge.)
2.    Jesus walks on the water and enables Peter to also walk. (He is master of gravity.)
3. Jesus stills the storm. (He is master of creation.)
4.    Afterward, the ship is immediately at land. (He is master of time and space.)

What does this passage tell me about trying to do God’s will despite problems, opposition and difficulties? 

God will be with us to provide what is needed to accomplish that which He has sent us to do.  Don’t give up just keep rowing.