Feeding the Five Thousand: John 6: 1-15
Miracles so far - Recap
- Changing water into wine: John 2: 1-11 – Jesus Power
over physical matter and time
- Healing the Nobleman’s Son: John 4: 43-54 - Power
over physical illness and space (distance)
- Healing the Man at the Pool of Bethesda: John 5: 1-15
Jesus revealed that He was the Son of God
- Feeding the Five Thousand: John 6: 1-15 Ability to meet
physical needs, Sustainer of life
Why did John record these miracles?
John 20:30-31 Therefore
many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which
are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
This miracle is recorded in all 4 Gospels.
Philip takes the spotlight in this event. Jesus was testing
Phillip, and teaching him along with the other disciples. Phillip was from Philip was from Bethsaida, the nearest sizable town, and he
was the most likely to know the area.
Jesus knew how Philip (and the
others) would try to solve this problem because it is just like we would probably
try to solve it.
- · How did Philip respond to Jesus question about buying food? (it would take a lot of money. 200 Denarii was about 8 months wages, and it wouldn’t be enough).
- · Matthew 14:15 records that the hour was getting late and the disciples had suggested that they solve the problem by sending the crowd away so that they could buy food in the surrounding villages.
·
Both of these ideas
are perfect examples of how we might attempt to solve this or any problem.
o
First – Let’s see if
we can solve it with money!
o
Next – Let’s see if we
can make it just go away.
·
What are some other ways we attempt to solve problems
without bringing Jesus into the equation? Work
at the solution or try harder, blame someone else, get the government to solve
the problem.
What did Andrew suggest?
Loaves and fishes. Do you think Andrew suspected what Jesus might do?
Jesus had enough of whatever it
took to meet the needs of those followers.
How
does that ability to meet physical needs translate to us today?
****************Miracle
for next week *************
John 6:26-40 I am the
Bread of Life
1st of 7 I Am statements in John – the Bread of Life
Manna and Jesus: The
bread of life
|
Manna
|
Jesus
|
|
Came and night
|
Came when men were in darkness
|
|
Met physical need
|
Meets spiritual needs
|
|
A gift from God
|
God’s gift to the world
|
|
Had to be picked up and eaten
|
Must be received and
appropriated
|
Why did Jesus say that
the crowds were following him? Because he was feeding them.
What did Jesus mean by
not hungering and thirsting in V35?
Look down to V41 and
42. Why were the Jews questioning Jesus’ deity?
I think we sometimes fall into the trap of trying to make Christianity
sound like an answer to problems that it is not intended to answer. Faith in
Christ is a spiritual matter. It results in actions, lifestyle choices, and
values (yes), but at its core it is a relationship with God, who may choose to
feed and clothe us in style, or otherwise allow us to suffer for his glory or
eternal purposes. The bread of life that Jesus is presenting offering will
satisfy something much deeper than physical hunger. It satisfies our desire for
forgiveness, righteousness, and fellowship with the creator.
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