Discipleship 12

More Than Enough

This morning we will be continuing our study of how Jesus disciplined his apostles. We have been looking at the signs that John recorded; changing water into wine, healing a royal official’s son just by saying the word, and healing a crippled man at the pool of Bethesda by commanding him to get up, pick up your mat, and walk. Today we will be considering the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John where Jesus feeds the five thousand. This sign is significant in that it is mentioned in all four of the gospels.

It takes place at Bethsaida Julius which is on the other side of the sea of Galilee . Jesus had gone to the other side in order to have some time to rest with his disciples. The people who had been present when he was performing his signs saw that he had crossed the sea of Galilee and went around the side of the lake. The trip across the lake was about 4 miles while the trip around the lake 9 miles. When Jesus saw all the people coming, he went to a place where there was a grassy plane at the foot of a mountainside. He began to teach the people. John says the Jesus knew what he was going to do , but he asked Philip where to get bread to feed the people. This was Philip’s home town. If anyone would have known were to find food it would have been Philip. Philip replied with a sense of hopelessness, not knowing where to find that much food. Most of all how to pay for it. Andrew had found a little boy who had brought a lunch of 5 barley loaves and 2 fish. Barley bread was considered a lower quality food. People of upper classes would have had wheat bread. The two fish would probably been small pickled fish similar to sardines. If you are hungry they would have seemed like a feast. We should note that that young boy was willing to share what he had even though it was a drop in the bucket compared to what was needed. Jesus instructed his disciples to have the people sit down on the grass . It was the custom to stand while someone was teaching. the people would have been tired from the walk to where Jesus was, they would have been tired from standing while he taught them, and they would have been hungry. Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks. Once again giving us an example of how we should be thankful to God for our food. he gave them to the disciples to serve to the people. He did the same with the fish.

I am always intrigued by the number of men. If there were 5000 men, How many women and children were there that day.

One commentator suggested 1000 women and 500 children. I think that estimate is low. I would picture possibly 5000 women and children. the number really doesn’t matter. John tells us that everyone had their fill and there were 12 baskets of bread pieces left over. People who study this miracle discuss the significance of the 12 baskets. Do they represent the 12 apostles or the 12 tribes of Israel? William Barclay writes that it was a common practice for Jewish men to carry a bottle shaped basket with them whenever they were out and about. It would have contained some food. Because if the strict dietary laws it was a good idea to have your own supply of food. We can think of it as a lunch pail.

Another thing that is written about is what really happened. some people just cannot accept this as a miracle, They want to explain it in human understanding. Perhaps it was just a sacramental meal much like our communion meal where only a small morsel is given. Another idea is that other people had food with them and when the young boy gave his food others contributed theirs as well. This reminds me of the story of stone soup that we studied in elementary school. A man came into a village and wanted to get something to eat, but nobody had anything to eat so he said that he would make stone soup. He borrowed a huge kettle and filled it 3/4 s full of water and found several large stones and put them in the kettle and proceeded to bring it to a boil. The villagers were watching closely, no one had ever heard of such a thing. after some time he took a spoon and tasted the “soup” He declared that it was coming along , but lacked something to give it more flavor. One of the spectators went to his home and came back with some potatoes, another brought some carrots. After some time it was time to taste again. It was better but still needed some more flavor. someone else went home and brought some onions. another brought some ham. soon another brought celery. When it was time to taste again it was better but still lacked body. Another person went home and came back with ham while another brought cabbage. The stone soup simmered all afternoon and when it was time to eat the man said that it was delicious, but he could not eat it all so he invited the villagers to join him. Everyone had enough to eat and declared that it was the best soup they had ever eaten.

I think it is foolishness to always try to explain away Jesus’ miracles. I am going to accept it as a miracle. There is a song; “Little is much when God is in it . Labor not for wealth or fame. there is a crown awaiting and you can win it if you go in Jesus’ name.”

The Jews were always asking for a sign. They spoke to Jesus about how Moses gave them Manna in the wilderness. Please understand that it was God not Moses that provided the food. Verses 14 and 15 tell us that Jesus knew that the people were going to take him by force and declare him king. In the hope that they would receive bread everyday, just like had been provided for their ancestors. Jesus left the area so that they could not take him.

This leads to a change in his dialog with his disciples. In John 6:35 , 48

John 6:48 (NIV)

I am the bread of life.

He makes the statement; “I Am the bread of life.” Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

When Jesus met with the Samaritan women at Jacob’s well he told her she should have asked him for living water. Here he tells them that they will never go hungry. Their ancestors ate bread i the wilderness but they died. Jesus is the bread of life, those who eat of him will never die.