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INTRO = We are going a second time through the Gospel of John in our meeting the savior series and taking opportunity to examine some of the extended teaching by Jesus.  And now we are here in John chapter 6.  And in all her glory, John 6 is accompanied by 71 verses!

And we all know that RevK style preaching does not permit one to enjoy 71 verses in one sitting.  I guess I’m just a tremendous wimp because I am not prepared for you to say, “This is hard teaching – who can sit through it?!”  So we are going to double chunk this passage over two weeks

6:1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.

² And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.

³ Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.

⁴ Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.

⁵ Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"

⁶ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.

⁷ Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."

⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,

⁹ "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"

¹⁰ Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.

¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

¹² And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost."

¹³ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.

¹⁴ When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!"

¹⁵ Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

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Vs.2 shmei/a = signs == John does not list all the “signs” of Jesus, but mentions that Jesus had performed many.  We are treated to seven of Jesus’ signs =

1. Water to Wine 2:1-11                      2. The healing of Nobleman’s Son   4:46-54

3. Healing of the invalid   5:1-18            4. Feeding of the 5000                  6:6-13

5. Walking on Water         6:16-21       6. Sight to the Blind                      9:1-7

7. Raising of Lazarus       11:1-45          8. The resurrection

Today’s sign is the only miracle of Jesus (not counting the resurrection) that is recorded by all 4 gospels – this then, of all Jesus’ miracles had an important impact upon his disciples.  Makes ya wonder why.

Well we know that this miracle for John, chapter six, 71 verses – the feeding and filling of the 5K is the perfect opportunity for Jesus to speak of His very BEING as an absolute NECESSITY for Israel’s existence.

We learn from John 6, that Jesus… 

–       he is greater than the greatest prophets, 

–       he is more important than our daily provisions, 

–       he exclusively, has the Father’s seal of approval

–       he is in charge of the last day and everyone’s destiny and is the Son of Man

–       His very body is humankind’s source of life

–       He has come to lead a New Exodus under His leadership and with new gifts from heaven.

And because this teaching is so unappetizing to the Jewish understanding, Jesus will perform two profound miracles in John 6 to really impress his closest disciples.  Why? Because as soon as Jesus can draw a crowd with his signs, he can drive them away with his teaching – but the disciples will soon learn that walking away from Jesus means that they will sink into helplessness & hopelessness!

So this is why the Feeding of the 5K is important to John and why it is one of his signs.  But it is also important to the other Apostles because this is Jesus finally performing a miracle BIG STYLE!  Miracles at private parties, private residences, small towns – impressive, sure – but let’s really show the people who you are Jesus!  Let’s do something that everyone can see, experience, and not doubt that you have the power to rule!  SO here is a sign designed for the “big reveal!”  And the gospel writers won’t let this one go because it is the ultimate show stopper – 5000 MEN, and some change. (I know that some folks want to trip that figure because of the possible women and children – but remember, only adult males were required to make these pilgrimages.  Yes, women and children were there – but predominantly males!)

Vs.3 avnh/lqen de. eivj to. o;roj = Now going up upon the mountain = 8xs of Moses in Ex & Dt. – preparing to lead the wandering Israelites…

Vs.4,5 “Now it was near the Passover” // great crowd coming to him

-         Moses == God would put his name at a future holy place

-         Temple == For John, this is Jesus, almost a hint that all these people are side stepping Jerusalem and doing a pilgrimage to Jesus!  

Vs.5 VEpa,raj ou=n tou.j ovfqalmou.j = Lifting then his eyes = overwhelming majority use of this OT expression (50xs) of seeing something from a different perspective – actually viewing things from God’s perspective.  Earlier in John 4, speaking prior to the Samaritan evangelistic revival, Jesus tells the disciples to “lift up their eyes.”  WHY?  Notice that the harvest is ripe for reaping!  It’s an expression meaning, don’t miss the God moment here.  So when Jesus lifts up his eyes, He sees the God moment doesn’t he – all these travelers coming to him, seeking a divine appointment – and he has the divine provisions.  SO what does the Savior do at a time like this?  He delegates!

Philip, we are going to need some bread for these folks, what can we do about it?  This is actually a teaching moment for the disciples – they will learn again that Jesus really does have everything under control – he would just like them (and us!) to confess that from time to time!

Well, Philip doesn’t lift his eyes high enough because the first thing he notices is how unequipped he is and how inadequate his skills are, and how overwhelming the task is – Philip can only look down and say – Jesus – only money can fix this problem – and we don’t have it!  HOW CONVICTING is that?!  I know my money says “in God we trust” on it, and I know I’d be more trusting if I could see more of that phrase in my hands – but Jesus wants us to look up at other solutions – Jesus is happy to work things out without depending upon Mammon – AT LEAST, We should abandon the “only money can fix this mantra” and lift our eyes up and try to see what Jesus can see from His perspective – more food than you can shake out of a basket!!

Vs.6 The test = peira,zwn This is another clear reference to how Moses lead the Israelites.  We read about this twice in Deut. 8.  This GK. word is also translated as Tempting == peira,zwn has a dynamic range of interpretation between testing and tempting.  And we must recognize that Testing is important – it is God’s way of revealing what is in us, but for the purposes of driving us to depend on Him!  When we fail the test it is only because we get tempted to depend on our own means of solving our problems rather than trusting in God.

Follow me, God tests – He does not tempt.  Here’s the difference:  Jesus says to Philip – Where can we find food for all these people to eat?  Now will that test produce, as Duet 8 suggests, Humility and dependence upon God, trusting in His ways?  Or is Jesus really suggesting to Philip, “Since we don’t have the money for it, do you think we should hold up the local Panera and do something that will really help our cause?”

When Jesus tests us, he is not seeking our failure, he is seeking our FAITH and dependence upon him.  Our problem is that we are so adept at sinning, that our natural response to tests is to take matters into our own hands and transgress clear boundaries – But as disciples, we can question, we may even doubt, but the final response is to obey Christ’s direction – and to always have on our lips when tested, “Jesus, you have everything under control, You can meet every need of every person in this world, including me – so I will trust you to provide in your time and in your way – I’m awaiting YOUR direction!!”  James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

The Lord tested Israel in their 40 years of wandering, and they often grumbled about it, they often resorted to sinful means in order to fulfill their desires, That is not what tests are supposed to reveal – how quick we are to sin.  God NEVER dangles anything sinful in front of us and suggests it as an option!! 1 Corinthians 10:13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your ability, but with the test he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

– FAV ILLUST.  How do you fail a swimming test?

vs. 9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"  

Here’s an option!  Just brain storming.  I know it doesn’t look like much, but… we got one loaf /1000

Now, I was going to preach here on how we shouldn’t be embarrassed to share even if we basically have nothing – Jesus can take that which is overlooked, and turn it into something miraculous.  RIGHT?  But then I was visited by two Mormon Missionaries, who probably have this boy as their poster child – He did his part, and Jesus does the rest.  That’s what grace is for these quasi-Christian religions -- do the little that you can do, and God will finish the project for you.  

Now obviously, this is not a salvation passage – so I shouldn’t project here.  It is obvious from all the feeding of the 5000 accounts that some how the disciples locate 5 loaves, 2 fish.  John tells us that a little boy had it – and had not this boy’s mom packed him a lunch for his trip, they might have been eating wild berries. (NO, that’s not true… bread is important to this section!)  So I come back to my original premise… This boy was given something, and he was happy to give it away.  Can you think of something that God has given to you, that you would freely give away??

Maybe we could all lift our eyes right now and consider that we have forgiveness, and joy, and patience, and freedoms, and even homes and influence – all given to us from God.  Do we have the kind of vision that acknowledges that everything we have is from God in the first place, and are we prepared to share it?  AND think about when we place it in the Savior’s hands, what He is able to do with it…!

Vs 10. Much grass = The disciples are noticing the growth of springtime or how Jesus as Shepherd can lead his sheep to green pastures.

Vs 11. euvcaristh,saj = Eucharist “Giving thanks” = stases of thanksgiving – for what was he giving thanks?  That God always meets our needs…  This is why the table is central to the Christian faith!

Vs. 13. 12 Baskets = one for each disciple who knew where the supply had come from, and could be impressed that Jesus would call them to a life of service for which he would be able to supply their every need!  The baskets were most likely borrowed baskets for those traveling for Passover.

v.14. The Moses connection!  A sign!  = What was the sign?  That Jesus could make all those Jews share their food?  Don’t be cynical!  It was that Jesus could feed over 5000 people with leftovers to spare by his blessing and giving!

v.15.  The crowds want a king!  Jesus had been very messianic in this feeding.  He is the complete welfare state, and the people want that kind of leadership.  But Jesus wants to preside over another KIND of kingdom, the one he just implanted into the heart of his disciples!  

Of followers who will, when tested, lift their eyes to see where God is preparing to work  

Of followers who will explore even embarrassing options if they know that it will serve others!  

Of followers, who will be convinced that Jesus has enough for them, even after serving others, and as we will see next week, 

Followers who not only step out in faith; but who are convinced that if they don’t have Jesus, they won’t survive.

This fourth sign of feeding the 5K is huge; but signs alone do not seal the deal.  We must embrace what the signs represent.  And this is not just a sign of making the most out of a little.  It is a sign that Jesus is, as the crowds understood, the Messiah for Israel and the Church – someone greater than Moses greater than Elisha – someone who controls every aspect of our world – But he IS NOT here simply to provide for our physical needs – that is not the point as many contemporary theologians suggest – I think this passage is all about how Christ equips his disciples on how to serve the crowds – not the serving of food, but in serving them Jesus Christ, who is our very life and satisfaction.  We just need to lift up our eyes, and see that God is at work with even our meager attempts to proclaim him to the crowds.