Last week we looked at the third sign – healing a disabled man. This precipitated a clash with the Jewish leaders regarding the authority of Jesus. Jesus then listed all the witnesses to His authority – the last one is particularly interesting – Moses (John 5: 45-57). Remember Moses as we look at sign #4 which occurs near Passover (celebrating God’s leading the people out of slavery into freedom), and brings to mind the Exodus where God delivered them through a miraculous water crossing, and fed them in the wilderness.

Encounter Jesus – John Week 7

Sign #4: Bread in the Wilderness

John 6: 1-15

AUDIO

Lecture Handout

John Week 7 – Sign 4 – Bread in the Wilderness Handout

Lesson Notes

Sign #4 – Feeding the 5000 (John 6: 1-15)

  • This is a critically important miracle to understand, recorded in all 4 gospels
  • Verse 1 – Change of scene from chapter 5 – from the other side of the Sea of Galilee
    • “After this” indicates sequence but not immediacy. An indeterminate amount of time passes between chapters 5 and 6. But there is a narrative flow.
  • Verse 2- A large crowd followed Jesus because of healing miracles
    • We’ve read about two, but John referenced many more
    • This is the draw – a healing miracle show
  • Verse 3- Jesus went up in the Golan Heights and sat down with the disciples, i.e. He taught
  • Verse 4 – John clearly sets the scene so we understand the significance of the coming miracle – it isn’t simply about a free lunch
    • The Passover was at hand – the second Passover referenced in John’s gospel – so a year has passed since John 2
    • Passover historically triggered a lot of nationalistic fervor – that’s what’s at work at the end of the passage when people want to declare Jesus king and start a revolt
  • Verses 5-7 – Jesus puts Philip to the test – has he learned anything from what he’s seen?
    • Where are we to buy bread so these people may eat?
    • Verse 7 – 200 days wages wouldn’t buy enough bread. Helps us understand the magnitude of this crowd! This is a massive miracle!
  • Verses 8-9 – Hard to see what this is – does Andrew have an inkling of an idea?
    • Andrew draws Jesus’ attention to a boy with 5 barley loaves (more like cakes) and 2 fish
    • Barley loaves were the cheap bread of the lower classes
  • Verse 10 – The people sit – the men number 5000, but we know there were also women and children present – possibly around 20,000
  • Verse 11 – Jesus took the loaves and distributed them
    • And fish – as much as they wanted
    • Jesus created food – bread and fish, in abundance
      • There are a few Old Testament stories where God works a food miracle when a prophet is present – Moses, Elijah, Elisha
      • Jesus does the food miracle Himself – a clear indication He is God
      • In John 5: 36, Jesus said His works bear witness to Him, so pay attention!
      • Here, close to Passover, Jesus did what God did – providing food in the wilderness for a group of Jews following Him because of the signs He did
      • In the wilderness, the Jews complained about the lack of meat, and God provided. Here Jesus provides meat as well.
    • Jesus is evoking Moses, and making clear He is greater than Moses
    • Likewise compare 2 Kings 4: 42-44, Jesus is greater than Elisha
  • Verses 12-13 – “Gather up the leftover fragments that nothing may be lost”
    • Jesus provides AMPLY – just as He did at the wedding in Cana
    • Christ’s Kingdom is bountiful!
    • Gathered up 12 full baskets with fragments!
    • 12 evokes the 12 tribes of Israel – there is a powerful symbolism here
    • Jesus is gathering the fragments of the 12 tribes – those who will follow Him – to lead them into a second Exodus out of slavery to sin and death and into the ternal promised land – God’s Kingdom
  • Numbers 11: 1-13 on manna and meat
  • Verse 14 – the people actually get a bit of a clue – they think He’s “The Prophet like Moses” from Deuteronomy 18: 15
    • He is, but He’s much more, as we’ll see in the next portion of the passage
  • Verse 15 – Jesus knew they’d try to make Him a king to start a revolution and that isn’t His purpose – so He withdraws, as we’ve seen Him do several times

Jesus Walks on Water (John 6: 16-21)

  • Verse 18 – the sea became rough – stormy weather
  • Verse 19 – A miraculous water crossing – Jesus walks on the water
    • That’s a divine ability (Job 9:8) to make sure we see Jesus is more than a Prophet
    • Verse 20 – “It is I” = ego eimi – the name of God, “I AM”
  • Verse 21 – Immediately the boat arrived – that’s a several mile journey instantly!
    • An enactment of God’s lordship over the sea and travels – Psalm 107: 28-32
    • And an enactment of God bringing His people through the water as in the Exodus

Prayer – Thankfulness for God’s provision through Christ. Prayer for people to accept the Lordship of Christ.

Next Week: I AM…the Bread of Life (John 6: 22-71)