John 6:1-21 Feeding The 5,000

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Feeding the 5000

John 6:1-21

Introduction: What comes to mind when you think of the feeding of the 5000? All four gospel accounts record the miracle. I love to visualize the scene as the apostles in wonder keep handing out food that didn’t exist a few minutes before.

However, John’s account goes far beyond the miracle, far beyond the wonder of the scene. John brings a timeless message, a foundational message that has been missed about Jesus and his purpose for his people. 

Reminder: John is showing us signs, not just signs that come from the miracles he performs, but signs from the events and circumstances surrounding the miracles. It is the miracle that gets the attention, but it is the event that presents Jesus as the Lord God who has come to deliver his people.

1. John Prepares Us for the Message
   1. As we have seen, John often connects his message to a Jewish festival. To miss John’s announcement is to miss the message. Thus in verse 4, “Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.” John is announcing that the narrative he is about to reveal reflects the original message of Passover. It is an Exodus picture. When we remember the details of the exodus we will appreciate and discern John’s message.
   2. Now note what John reveals that prepares us for the message:
      1. First, to set up what Jesus will do, he and the disciples travel to the “other side of the sea,” that is, to the east side, to the side that is mostly desolate.
      2. Second, the crowd follows him. Jesus did not invite them, they simply follow.
      3. Third, he went up on a mountain, just as Moses had done. Jesus sat down and waited for the crowd to arrive. 
      4. Fourth, he tested his disciples: “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
      5. Fifth, he fed them. He fed them miraculously. Jesus did not have to feed this multitude. He didn’t invite them and he had no obligation to feed them. But it is the reason he led them into the wilderness. Just as the manna was given to Israel in the wilderness, so Jesus fed the people in the wilderness. Everything is purposeful. Everything fit the exodus narrative.
   3. Then, as if that weren’t enough Jesus crossed the sea at night, just as Israel went through the Red Sea at night, so does Jesus. 
      1. But Jesus doesn’t part the waters, and Jesus doesn’t plead with God to part the water; Jesus walks on the water. The water is under his feet, in subjection to him. 
      2. And then when he steps in the boat, Jesus transports the disciples to land immediately just as God brought Israel through the wilderness, so Jesus brings the disciples to their goal.
      3. Everything Jesus is doing is shouting that the Word has been made flesh and dwells among us. Everything shouts that this is the Lord God.
         1. Job said concerning the Lord, “…who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea” (Job 9:8).
         2. Isaiah said, “Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters” (Isa. 43:16.)
   4. The people were not oblivious to the parallels here. In verses 14-15, they see Jesus as the “prophet” of which Moses spoke in Deuteronomy 18 who would be like him. And they also see him as the coming King that God promised to David in 2 Samuel 7 who would shepherd God’s people.
   5. What we have just seen is Jesus reenacting the history of Israel – God’s deliverance through the Passover, the Lord providing manna in the wilderness, Moses bringing the nation through the water of the Red Sea, and Moses as the prophet of Israel going up on the mountain to receive the Law.
   6. Thus we see Jesus as the new and better Moses, the promised “Prophet,” the new exodus and return from exile that Isaiah spoke of (Isa. 11), the new Savior, the new Shepherd who will bring the people to the Promised Land, and in the midst, the abundance provided in contrast to the scarcity in the wilderness.
2. Testing Philip
   1. It is striking the way John tells this story compared to the other accounts. You will notice that John does not tell us that the people are hungry or that they have been with Jesus for three days. John tells the story his way because he has a different purpose than the Synoptics.
   2. John simply says that as Jesus saw the large crowd coming toward him, he turned to Philip and asked, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” As noted, there is nothing in the story to tell us that Jesus has any responsibility to feed these people. But Jesus immediately took the responsibility completely on himself. Why? It is because that is what the good Shepherd does. It is what God does! God is the good Shepherd and he feeds his people! 
   3. In verse 6, John lets us in on a secret. Jesus knew exactly what he was going to do. He challenged Philip in order to test him. I think it significant that it is Philip who is given the primary test. Yes, the same Philip who later in chapter 14 said to Jesus, “Show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Ha! Tell me that is not funny. Show us the Father! That is exactly what Jesus has been doing, and what he does here. 
   4. This question for Philip should make us wonder what Jesus was expecting from Philip. Of course Philip, taking Jesus cue, quickly figures in his mind what it would take to feed such a multitude. For them to have just a little, would take 6-7 months wages for a laboring man! Wrong answer, Philip. The right answer is in Psalm 78:18-25:
      “They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, ‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness? He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?’ Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power. Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. Man ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance. He caused the east win to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind; he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas.”
   5. Had Philip recognized to whom he was speaking, he would have answered with that text. The Lord is in your presence. Can he spread a table in the wilderness? Indeed! Now, who is in your presence?
      And for us today, how will we answer that question when we think all is lost and there is nowhere to turn? Can the Lord spread a table in the wilderness? Indeed he can and will.
   6. The answer Philip gives is so “earthly.” There is no heavenly perspective; there is just the human practicality of it. In other words, “I just calculated what it would take to feed these people, and it is impossible.” That is us, isn’t? We are so practical. We look at all problems, not as possibilities with God, but as the impossibilities of man. We are absolutely terrible at that!
   7. Andrew seems to be a little better: “There’s a kid here who has brought his lunch, five pancakes and a couple of small fish!” But that is also impossible: “What are they for so many?” Jesus does not argue with them or give an explanation. Jesus simply says, “Have the people sit down.” 
3. Seeing the Sign
   1. First, please notice that Jesus “gave thanks.” That is consistent. Jesus always gives thanks. He always recognizes the one who is the source of all good things and the one who sustains life. There is always the need to give thanks. We did not do this nor provide anything for ourselves. Without the Father, the world would have no air, much less food.
   2. Second, notice the words, “…as much as they wanted.” I can just imagine Jesus saying, “Anyone want more? We have plenty! Anyone?” And that is just what they did. They ate as much as they wanted. Why is this important? 
      1. Jesus is giving Kingdom pictures. Not this present life in particular, but the eternal Kingdom, that is, in eternity. It will be as much as you want and more than you can imagine. Paul said, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory…” Eph. 3:20.
      2. Please remember! This is a sign. The sign is that Jesus  will not only give all that you need, but all that you want. Jesus came “to give life, and give it more abundantly” (John 10:10). 
   3. Then the words, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” Do you remember the manna? Is that what Israel was told? No way. Eat what you need and then throw the leftovers away. Do not save it for tomorrow. Not with Jesus. Gather up the leftovers because there is such an abundance that you will have enough for later and enough for tomorrow.
   4. “12 baskets!” Enough for all who are in God’s true Israel, all 12 tribes. That again, is the message of the Kingdom of God. With God, the abundance is beyond imagination.
   5. Note one more unique mention by John. The people not only recognize Jesus as the prophet of whom Moses spoke, but they desire to take him and force him to become king. Jesus immediately withdrew to the mountain and the apostles set out across the sea. What are we to make of this?
      1. First, a question. Didn’t Jesus come to become King? Was that not his purpose? Can’t you just see him turn and walk away and go up the mountain as the people stand dumbfounded that he would not accept their accolades?
      2. But their response has set their sights far too low. They have not exalted him by their offer. They have not seen what they were supposed to see! They only saw the simple, the earthly. They missed the profound, the heavenly, the true picture of the sign. 
      3. Jesus had not come to provide dinner for a day! He came to provide the eternal, forever spiritual food that gives such life so that we never hunger again.
      4. Unfortunately, our world, yes even our religious world, is still looking for a Jesus who will fill them with the earthly. Natural, earthly people cannot see past the mundane desires of the flesh. They preach it. They motivate by it. They glory in it. They are content with it. And in doing so, they have brought Jesus down to their level and have missed the glory of the King of kings. 
4. Walking on the Sea
   1. The Sea of Galilee is about 7 miles across at its widest point. The disciples had rowed about 3-4 miles, putting them in the middle of the sea. They had rowed all night. What normally would have taken two hours at most had left them stranded and exhausted.
   2. John tells the story so simply. 
      1. There was a strong wind and the sea was rough, accounting for their slow progress. 
      2. Suddenly they see Jesus walking on the water coming near the boat. Just think of it. In the darkness of a blustery night, a man walking on the water near your boat. “They were frightened,” is an understatement. 
      3. And then Jesus said those beautiful words, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Those are the same words John used in other parts of his gospel that are translated, “I AM.” That also is an understatement! Consider the words of Psalm 107:23-30,
         “Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” 
      4. Now look at him. He is the Prophet. He is the new Moses. He is a Provider in the wilderness. He is the Deliverer from bondage. He is the Lord God. “And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 

Conclusion: “Where shall we buy bread, so that these people may eat?” Jesus said. “Can’t do it,” the disciples answered. And so Jesus fed them. “Go across the sea,” Jesus said. “We tried, but couldn’t,” the disciples said. Jesus stepped in the boat and they were at land. Now listen carefully. When Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing,” that is exactly what he meant! And when Jesus gave the Great Commission, his last words were, “And behold I am with you even to the end of the world.” 

Berry Kercheville