The Book of John - 34

Introduction - We have looked at the beginning verses of John 6, which deal with the miracle feeding of the 5000.

In this, we see:

The Demonstration of [the Lord’s] His Power In Miracles vs. 1-21

In feeding the 5000, the Lord gives a public revelation of His power for all to see.

With the miracle of the Lord walking on water, the Lord gives His disciples a private revelation of His power.

1. The Feeding of the 5000. vs. 1-15

In verses 5 and 6, we have The Problem Presented.

The problem presented is man's great need.

In this case, the multitude needed sustenance, but their need far exceeded just a morsel of bread.

In verse 7, we see the practical prescription.

We noted that in this response, we see what man can do.

This solution was a practical one.

However, the solution (200 pennyworth of bread) fell short of providing all that was needed.

In His commentary on the subject, John Philips states that often 200 is the number of insufficiency in the Scriptures.

He cites first the story of Achan and his 200 stolen coins (Joshua 7:20-21).

The apostate Micah and his mother took 200 shekels and made an idol. (Judges 17:4)

Absalom’s polled hair weighed 200 shekels (2 Samuel 14:26). Absalom attempted to wrest the throne from David, but in the end, He was defeated.

And finally,

The demonic armies of Revelation 9:16 number 200 thousand thousand—and though they are allowed of God to slay the wicked men on the earth— they are no match for the King of kings… the ruler over all heaven and earth.

The second solution presented in verses 8 and 9 is a perplexing pessimism.

This response signified a hopeless situation.

Both Philip and Andrew, in their response, indicate that they could not meet the needs of the multitude.

“The idea of feeding all the people was wholly illogical both to Philip and Andrew.” (Phillips)

This is the point. We simply do not have the ability or the resources to meet the needs of the multitude.

We also see, that Andrew, to His credit, brought what he could to the Lord.

In this, he brought a lad.

The Bible uses a word that signifies a young boy (παιδάριον paidarion). (παιδάριον paidarion is in contrast to another NT word that is often translated the same way— τεκνίον teknion, which is a more generic word for child — and is also used, for instance in 1 John where John is speaking to Christians with affection. ‘Little Children’ [1 John 2:28] see also John 13:33 and Galatians 4:19)

Perhaps his family, relatives or simply friends were there in the crowd, we do not know.

Often in the Scriptures, God heaps abundant honor upon the nameless ones He uses.

This young man, will forever be know as the boy who gave his lunch to the Lord.

I think about:

Namaan’s nameless servant girl 2 Kings 5:1–14.

The widow woman of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17.

The Centurion of great faith in Matthew 8:8-10.

We think of the paralytic and borne of his four friends in Mark 2.

In Mark chapter 7:24-30 we are introduced to a woman who is simply called the Syrophoenician Woman.

The Shepherds in Luke 2.

We think also about the the woman at the well in John 4 who remains nameless.

And this is the case here, this young man who remains nameless is an example of one who gives what they have for the Lord.

It is amazing to think that this young man was willing to give his lunch to the Lord out of a crowd of thousands.

The Bible tells us in the parallel record of this miracle, that the crowds had been there for some time.

In Mark 6:34–35 we read, “34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:”

The day was wearing on and approaching evening…

Think of the multitude—men, women and children — all were hungry— no doubt the disciples too were hungry, tired and weary… Patience often runs thin in situations like this. And then we have this young boy—-giving up his lunch.

Not much is said about this young man, yet we have his record here before us.

How many sermons have been preached over the years about the boy who gave his lunch?

We love that wonderful hymn, Little is much when God is in it…

“Barley was the food of the poor. The loaves were small flat barley wafers; the fish were about the size of small sardines.” (Phillips)

“The barley bread was the bread of the poor, the very cheapest bread that could be made or bought.” Leadership Ministries Worldwide, The Gospel according to John, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004), 126.

So far, we have seen the problem presented, the practical prescription, the perplexing pessimism, but now we see:

The Proper Provision

What is the proper provision?

—Philip determined his figures were short, and Andrew determined the lad’s meager meal was not enough.

We notice as well, that the Lord did not receive this small lunch and begin fretting about what He would do.

The Bible tells us in verse 10 “10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.”

We are reminded again of what is said in verse 6, “And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”

The Lord knew all about the lad’s small meal.

The Lord knew about Philips arithmetic. The Lord knew about Andrews hopelessness and the Lord knew about the silence offered by the rest of the disciples.

None of this was a surprise.

It was a surprise to the disciples…it was a surprise to this lad that he was called on by Andrew to Jesus.

Matthew 6:32–33 tells us speaking of food and clothing, “32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The proper provision is not a morsel of bread—- but rather the Lord Himself.

Unbelief in God’s ability to provide is nothing new.

In reference to the nation of Israel in the wilderness the psalmist tells us in Psalm 78:19 “19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”

It is vitally important that we recognize that all that I have is not mine at all, but the Lord’s.

So I take what I have—and give it back to the owner of all things.

The proper provision gives to the Lord in faith waiting on Him.

I want you to note several wonderful truths about the proper provision.

The proper provision:

Came with the surrender of lad (vs. 8-9)

Oftentimes, people grasp as hard as they can, what is not theirs to begin with. This young man could have refused to give up his lunch.

The Lord had the power to create from nothing, but He chose to use this young man.

We wonder how many others in the crowd perhaps had food they could’ve given to the Lord, but did not.

I think of the New Testament church as well, how many folks have skills talents abilities within the ranks of the local New Testament church?

Came with the wavering faith of the disciple Andrew. (vs. 8-9)

I point out to you Andrews statement of unbelief. But nonetheless He did seek for a solution and brought that solution to the Lord. Andrew’s faith was enough to bring the lad to the Lord, but it seems the “problem” overwhelmed him.

This seems to be where I find myself most.

Came after simple obedience (vs. 10)

This simple obedience is seen in the disciples as well as the multitude.

The disciples facilitated the organization and the seating of the crowd.

The crowd agreed to sit in this organized manner. People must sit still before the Lord to be fed… Christians oftentimes become starved because they simply will not take the time to sit down and read the Word of God. Just like this incident, you will never exhaust the treasures or we might say sustenance of the Word of God!

(Just think how difficult it is for some Baptists to give up their seat. Further think about dealing with a bunch of hungry, tired folks.)

Mark 6:39–40 states, “39 And he [the Lord Jesus Christ] commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.”

It amazes me how it is sometimes that we expect God to do amazing and wonderful things, yet we will not obey Him.

We may very well ask the question, Why should Adam and Eve not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Because God commanded them not to.

“Why should Noah, in the absence of any sign of an approaching flood, go to all the trouble of building the ark? Simply because God had commanded him too.” (Pink)

And we could walk through the pages of scripture enumerating God’s commands to his people and come back to the same answer.

Think about this, had they got up from this place, they would have missed the Lord’s demonstration of power.

Again, I imagine there would be some that had connection to this crowd, perhaps who left early… and only could here of someone else tell of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

This too is hard to believe, but a lot of folks miss out on what the Lord is doing, because they have left the company whom the Lord is using.

There is unfortunately a diminishing in the minds of the people of the local church.

My friend a Christian who cannot assemble with other Christians is missing a large part of the Christian life.

We think also about this obedience that is demonstrates the immutability of God. He is a God of order. He is still a God of order. 1 Corinthians 14:40 tells us, “40 Let all things be done decently and in order.” And earlier in that same chapter we read 1 Corinthians 14:33 “33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

One commentator right stated, “Whenever there is confusion in a religious meeting…it is a sure sign that the Holy Spirit is not in control of it.” (Pink)

Came from the hands of the Lord. (vs. 11)

The disciples did not just take what the lad had and distribute it.

The Bible tells us here in John 6:11 “11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.”

God is not limited by means.. He could have reigned down manna from Heaven. But often God uses the means at hand. Think of the bitter waters of Marah healed by a tree (Exodus 15:23-25). Think of the healing of Hezekiah, the Lord used the boiling of figs. (II Kings 20:4-7).

Mark 6:41 “41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.”

What made the difference in this provision? The hand of the Lord.

God oftentimes, takes what is small and does something mighty for His glory.

That great passage in 1 Corinthians comes to mind, where the Lord states in 1 Corinthians 1:23–29 “23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

AW Pink in his commentary noted these examples:

The Lord used the tears of a baby to draw Pharaoh’s daughter. (Exodus 2:6)

The Lord used a simple shepherds rod to encourage Moses and bring mighty wonders upon Egypt. (Exodus 4-14)

The Lord used a simple stone and a sling to defeat the enemy giant Goliath. (1 Samuel 17)

The Lord used one man from Ur of Chaldees (Abram-Abraham) to bless all nations. (Genesis 11:28-31)

Similarly, the Lord called one man (Noah) and His family to build an ark to the saving of humanity. (Genesis 6)

The Lord took an outcast (Joseph) of his own family and made him the ruler of Egypt. (Genesis 41)

The Lord used a shepherd, a ruddy boy (David)—- and made him king over God’s people. (1 Samuel 16:7, 11-12)

Came with thanks to God (vs. 11)

Where did this provision come from?… some might say well it came from the lad… some might say it came from the ingenuity of Andrew…

I want you to realize that even the little that the lad had came from God.

God made the barley. God made the fish. God made the lad and gave Him the ability to be there that day.

Now I wonder how many were truly thankful at the first for the small amount that was found?

We consider this, that

Sometimes we are found complaining for what we do not have, rather than giving thanks to God for what we do have.

Came through the ministry (service) of the Lord’s disciples (vs. 11)

God ministers to the needs of men through His people.

Particularly in the New Testament, the Lord is ministering to man in this world through His church.

You will notice that 500 men were not called upon out of the crowd to distribute the food.

The Bible tells us that the Lord gave to the disciples and the disciples to them that were set down.

The work of providing (ministering) was not given to others, it was given to the disciples from the hands of the Lord.

There is principle here —

God’s work in this world is to be done by God’s people. (vs.10-11)

This does not mean we cannot hire professionals for certain tasks. We often have to contact folks to get certain things done.

When it comes to what the Lord wants done, we are His servants.

Can you imagine for a moment, the Levites requisitioning others to help them in the ministry of the tabernacle?

We do not need the world to market Christianity.

We do not need publicity from the Devil.

Came to those who were willing to receive it

I imagine, there were some who departed as the day wore on.

Later in the chapter, some would be found unwilling to receive the Lord’s preaching and teaching.

The sayings were too hard for them.

God’s has given every man individual soul liberty. Man has the choice to receive the Lord or reject the Lord.

Came in abundance and satisfied completely (vs. 11)

“The word translated as filled (ἐμπίπλημι- empiplēmi) has the sense of being satisfied….Truly when God supplies, it is exceeding abundant and above all that we ask or think. Twelve baskets are gathered up.” (Sorenson)

John 6:11 “11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.”

The multitude did not exhaust the grace of God—in fact there was more left than when they began.

This reminds us of God providing Manna (which is referenced later in the chapter) for the children of Israel.

In Exodus 16:16–18 we read, “16 This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. 17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. 18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.” In other words, as much as they would.

When we consider the initial statements by the disciples, their attempts to provide for the multitude were in consideration of just providing the minimum.

Here we see the Lord provides as much as each needs.

This is a valuable lesson for those without Christ and those also who are already saved.

It seems oftentimes as a child of God that we forget that the Lord provides all that we have need of.

I think of the Lord’s comments to the nation of Israel.

Came orderly and was not wasteful

Sorenson in His commentary suggested this by way of application “His work and ministry was neat. He left no mess for someone else to clean up. Modern ministries would do well to take note thereof.”

“Even when omnipotence spreads the table, God takes no pleasure in waste.” (Phillips)

Everything has a purpose…Shannon and I took to heart what Dr. Sexton use to say, “This is for that.”