Test of Faith- John 6:1-15

Introduction

Good Morning Church, would you go to the Lord in prayer with me?

(The Fullness of Christ, His Sufficiency)

Alright, 2nd—5th graders you guys are free to dismiss. And as a reminder, parents you can pick those children up at the Wetlands Building, and if you need any help finding where that is, don’t hesitate to ask someone with a lanyard.

If you’re new with us, welcome to CBC, my name is Andrew McClure and I’m one of the Pastor’s here, and I’d love to invite you to open up your Bible’s to John chapter 6.

And as you do, let me take a quick moment to set up our passage for us this morning.

With a rising middle schooler, I love watching my son shift from utter dependence on his mother and I and beginning to take responsibility for his own choices.

For example, recently he came home from school and told me that he did a physical fitness test during P.E.

In many areas he excelled, but there was one particular area that he was disappointed in, and even attracted some negative attention from his peers.

Well as he was sharing, he also told me that they will Retest in April.

And he wanted to be prepared to prove to himself, and his haters that he has what it takes.

So we proceeded to created a daily regimen to help him improve in his fitness test.

But they key to this whole ordeal is that on the 2nd of each month, I would test him.

I’d give him the same exact test that he was disappointed about in December,

and it’s the same test he’ll take in April.

And what is the goal of that test?

To reveal the progress of strength… or,

To reveal areas of improvement.

Church, in a much more significant way… Jesus will regularly test his disciples.

A disciple is simply a follower of Jesus.

But, this path may not be what you expect.

You see, Jesus told us plainly: It’s a narrow path.

One of cost counting, and cross bearing.

Yet it is on this narrow path following Jesus, where we find infinite joy and abundant life.

You see, the abundance or the flourishing you experience in life is directly correlated to your proximity, or nearness in following Jesus.

And because of his great love, and because of his obsession with you life, he will test you.

To reveal the progress of strength… or,

To reveal areas of improvement.

To reveal where you’re following closely, or areas we can grow closer.

And today in the story of the feeding of the 5000, lies a test for his disciples.

So let’s begin by reading our text, this is found in John 6:1-15

John 6:1–15 ESV

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 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?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 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. 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. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 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.

So let’s unpack this, by looking at 4 things:

The Setting

The Testing

The Miracle

The Outcome.

Let’s begin with the Setting.

The Setting

Look at verses 1-4… in these first 4 verses John is establishing the setting.

First, he says “After this…” which should immediately prompt a question in our minds, “After what?”

Well, after John 5, where Jesus ministering in Jerusalem, and healed a paralytic who had laid paralyzed for 38 years.

But he did it on the Sabbath, inviting some theological controversy between he and the Jewish Authorities.

So he proceeds to tell them that He is Equal with God.

But in Jewish Law a statement like that isn’t credible unless supported by two or more witnesses.

So he goes on to say that

John the Baptist witnessed.

His Works and Miracles Witness.

The Father Himself Witnesses.

And as Coleman shared last week, The Scriptures bear witness.

They all support the Claim that Jesus is Equal with God.

Then we go to John 6:1—- after this, he went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee

I’m going to put this on the screen, because again this is real history. Real places. Real people. Real events.

MAP

So Jesus has left Jerusalem, and headed north. And it is in this region where he did a majority of his ministry.

And just really quickly, did you know that apart from Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection, this is the only miracle found in all 4 Gospels.

A testament to its significance, but also a huge help to us in establishing the setting.

Because Mark 6 says that this event took place after Jesus had sent out his 12 disciples 2 by 2 and gave them authority to teach, heal, and deliver.

And they returned to Him, on cloud 9… they had seen amazing things happen in Galilee… but they were exhausted.

A heavy season of ministry can do that. Burnout is deceptive and brutal.

And Jesus teaches his disciples, and us today that the best way to avoid burnout in serving or ministry is by establishing healthy routines and rhythms of ministry.

Mark 6:31 “And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

So picking back up in John 6:1, he takes them across the Sea of Galilee to a desolate place, most likely the Golan Heights.

But as they pull to shore, to have a private retreat—- they see a “large crowd following”… Why?

Look at verse 2—- because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.”

Church, why are you following Jesus?

Let that question search you.

Because what we have here in the masses is consistent with all hearts far from Christ.

They were drawn by His miracles and power, but resistant to His words and presence.

They’re following him to have their own lusts satisfied. Their desires fulfilled. Their wants met.

And if Jesus was interested in building a a brand, here was his moment!

If Jesus wanted the crowds, he had their attention.

But praise God, that he isn’t interested in building a brand, but a people.

He doesn’t want the crowds for the sake of numbers, he wants their hearts.

Why are you following Jesus?

Is it to have your own lusts satisfied? Desires fulfilled or your own wants met?

Because he doesn’t meet you on your terms, but asks you to lay down your terms and give Him your heart.

So the Setting—- Moved north to his galilean ministry, in a deserted place trying to escape the crowds, but there’s one more context clue.

John 6:4 “Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.”

John tends to frame the timeline of Jesus’ ministry with 3 Passovers, but including it here is so important.

Because Passover, as we’ve discussed at length elsewhere, is a time of Reflection.

Every Jew would be remembering the Passover Lamb who was killed and whose blood was placed on the doorpost of their home, by passing the death of the firstborn and working their liberation from slavery to Egypt.

They would also be remembering all of the wilderness wonderings, specifically the leadership of Moses, and God’s miraculous provision for them for 40 years, especially in the provision of Manna

but more on that in a couple of weeks.

But Passover wasn’t simply reflective. It was also anticipatory.

As they considered Moses, they would remember Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 18:15 ““The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—”

Or again Deuteronomy 18:18 “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.”

So every year as they reflected on the atonement and salvation of the Passover Lamb, they also looked forward to the Prophet who will be like Moses, who will lead, and guide, and liberate.

Moses their spiritual leader, but also their political leader.

Which is exactly what they expected this promised Prophet to be… like Moses, spiritually and politically.

So that’s our setting—- In the North, trying to get away for retreat, at the time of Passover.

But let’s now look at the Testing.

The Testing

John 6:5 “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?””

Now when we read large crowd, we need to understand that this was likely 15,000-25,000 people.

Because the text says it was 5,000 MEN alone. So including the women and children you’re looking at 15K-25K.

To put that in context— Paulsen Stadium, the football stadium of Georgia Southern University has a seating capacity of 25,000.

So a full football stadium of people either seen or heard that Jesus had crossed the sea of Galilee, and were coming to him.

And Mark 6 records that he taught them late into the evening, and since they’re in the wilderness, approximately 10 miles from the nearest town.

Jesus had compassion on them. After feeding them spiritually, he wanted to feed them physically.

So he looks at Philip, probably because Philip was from the region, and asks, “Where are we to buy bread…”

But he didn’t ask him because he was in need of a solution.

No verse 6 reads, John 6:6 “He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.”

He had a plan all along. He always does. He knew what he was about to do.

But yet he still asks Philip… How do we solve this problem?

Why?

To Test Him.

Testing

Our Lord tests his followers, and sadly we view these tests as mean-spirited or even cruel.

I mean Jesus already knew what he was going to do, why not just tell them plainly? How cruel.

But we only think that because we misunderstand tests, and in a deeper sense we misunderstand our Lord Jesus.

Tests are all over the Scriptures.

The Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden was a test.

Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac.

Job’s Circumstances.

Shadrach, Meshach’s, and Abendego’s Worship

Peter’s faith in walking on the waves

Jesus’ surrender in Gethsamane.

Tests are everywhere and rather they are for your good or evil, lies solely in the intent of the one giving the test.

Let me say that again, rather a test is for your good or ill, lies solely in the intent of the one giving the test.

Because the The Devil tests—-

we call that temptation. And his intent is evil. To get you to sin. To separate you from God.

Satan tests you to bring out the worst in you, and distance you from God.

But God also tests— we call those trials, or tests. And His intent is always good.

To bring out the best in you, to draw you into closer proximity. To help you follow. To be better disciples.

Because as I said before, the abundance or flourishing in your life is directly correlated to your proximity, or nearness in following Jesus.

And God loves you so much, he will test you.

Church, I’ll repeat that too: God loves you so much, he will test you.

But we get so frustrated by that.

We think, “Why can’t he just tell me plainly what he plans to do, that way I can get it right!”

But it isn’t all about getting it right, it’s all about relationship.

And these tests, are designed to bring us to the end of our own strength or wisdom, or power…

so that God can show us more of who He is, captivating more of our hearts, so that we may follow Him more closely by faith.

And that’s what he wants from Philip and Andrew.

He knew what he was going to do, but he tested them anyway.

So let’s see how his disciples responded.

Philip

John 6:7 “Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.””

Philip’s response to the the test was to pull out his calculator.

He was a bean counter. He needed facts. He sought natural evidence.

Remember it was Phillip who said to Jesus in John 14:8 “Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.””

Philip needed to see. He needed to make sense of it. He needed to calculate.

But what he came up with in his calculation is that this is impossible!

The problem was too big in Philip’s Eyes

Almost with sarcasm he says, “200 denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough.”

A denarii was the equivalent of a days wage.

So 200 days is about 8 months of salary.

And he says, 8 months of money couldn’t even get them a little bit.

Philip says… It’s Impossible. The problem is too big.

But let’s look at another disciple, Andrew.

Andrew

John 6:8–9 “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?””

Now initially Andrew seems to be an improvement to poor calculating Philip.

He started out right… he was a problem solver.

So he probably started frantically asking those in ear shot… “hey, anybody got any food.”

He was probably thinking about a big meal share campaign.

If we just combine all the food we have, maybe we can make it stretch.

but apparently the only person who had any foresight to plan ahead was a young boy who had his own brown bag.

5 barley loaves- now these would have been the size of biscuits.

And they’re barely loaves—- bread reserved for the poorest of the poor.

And 2 Fish— not mackerel. But sardines.

It’s a lunch just big enough for the young boy alone.

So Andrew despairs and says, “What are they for so many…”

He differed from Philip.

Philip focused on the Size of the Problem.

Andrew focused on the size of his resources.

Philip said the problem is too big.

Andrew said, what we have is too small.

Jesus had tested them…

But… Jesus knew what he was going to do.

Let’s now look at the Miracle.

The Miracle

John 6:10–13 “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. 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. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.”

5 Barley Loaves—- biscuits reserved for the poorest of the poor.

And he gave thanks.

And he distributed them.

And he took the fish— and distributed them

as much as they wanted.

they ate their fill.

And they had 12 baskets leftover.

With no voice from heaven, or earthquakes, or lighting and thunder, He just kept passing it out.

This is important, because can you imagine being seated among the crowds.

As the first grouping gets food, their just excited.

But as it works its way deeper into the back of the crowd.

The murmuring picks up.

The excitement becomes palpable.

And then it grows to a roar, because they finally understand that something supernatural is taken place.

But why did Jesus perform this sign?

Remember we talked about this a few weeks ago.

His signs weren’t primarily driven by his compassion, but to reveal His deity.

To show who He is, so that we may believe His claims.

But in this text, there’s another reason Why.

Anybody?

To test His disciples: and what’s the purpose of the Lord’s tests?

To draw us closer to Himself.

Philip said, “it’s too Big.”

But in this miracle, Jesus showed him, “That what is impossible man, is possible with God.”

Oh Church, how many of you are facing something leading you to believe, “It’s Too Big.”

Getting out of this debt is too big for us.

Saving my marriage is too big for us.

Parenting my kids in this season is too big for me.

Obeying the voice of God in that career change is too big.

Ridding my life of this sin, or addiction is too big for me.

What is it for you?

How many of you, like Philip, have resolved, its too big?

God is testing you!

He’s trying to show you your own insufficiencies, so that you may rely upon His inexhaustible sufficiency.

God will do this. He will bring you to the end of yourself, because that’s where relationship with Him begins.

Oh, how I’ve grown to love the Testing of our Good God.

I think of a time in India.

I visited a pilgrimage town on the holy Ganges river.

hundreds of thousands of pilgrims had descended to dip in the river, in an effort to wash them clean of sin.

I stood over a walkway bridge watching people dip and emerge with false hope… closer to hell than when they entered the water.

hundreds of thousands! And I exhaled, and said out loud, “This is impossible! Why am I here? What change could I possibly work in a place of such darkness? This is too big!”

And as soon as I honestly confessed the impossibility of the task, it was like a heard the voice of God say, “Good. Pray.”

Prayer is getting in touch with the resources of God, as well as a confession of my own weakness.

That week our team began prioritizing prayer.

We met 5 mornings a week at 6am. And prayed for an hour.

Confessed that it’s too big for us, but that with Him nothing is impossible.

And for 3 years we had been there, and only saw one convert. And after 3 months of intentional prayer, that one became 7.

We felt like the disciples who had been fishing all night and couldn’t catch anything, but as soon as Jesus got in the boat the nets began to break.

That miracle that day in the Golan Heights was for Philip.

To see that what is impossible with man, is nothing in the hands of the All-Sufficient Christ.

But it was also for Andrew.

Andrew said, “we’re too small.”

But in this miracle, Jesus showed him, that “it is when we are weak, that HIs power is made perfect.”

It is His Grace that is sufficient.

Oh Church, how many of you are facing situations leading you to believe, “I’m too small.

I’m nothing.

I’m too weak.”

I’m a failure.

I’m a nobody.

I can’t do it.

Who am I?

What is it for you?

How many of you like Andrew, are tempted to throw up your hands in despair and say, “What are they for so many?”

God is testing you!

He’s trying to show you your limitations. Your weaknesses. Your insufficiencies, because it’s there you learn that His Grace is Sufficient.

Oh how I’ve grown to love the testing of our Good God.

I think of our first furlough from the mission field in 2014.

We had lost about 1/4th of our financial support, and couldn’t return to the mission field until we were fully funded.

And although I had felt led by God early on to make our financial support a matter of prayer alone, I had a family. So I felt responsible.

So like Andrew, I scrambled. Began setting up support meetings with anybody and everybody that would listen.

But to no avail. We were still underfunded. I felt too small. I couldn’t do it. Felt like a failure.

It was a test. And fortunately I remembered 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

So by faith, by choice, I gave him my loaves and fishes.

I repented for my scrambling like Andrew, and entrusted to him all I had.

The following day I got a phone call from our agency accountant and she said, “Hey, I’m assuming you were aware of this big check coming to you?

I had no idea. And get this… didn’t even know the name of the donor.

Found out later he was the father of a girl Annie had mentored years previously.

We were fully funded.

That miracle that day on the Golan Heights was for Andrew.

To see that although insufficient in resources, Christ is All-Sufficient

Now don’t get the wrong impression.

Just because I shared a testimony of immediate provision, doesn’t mean you walk away naming it and claiming it!

Because the gift of the provision was secondary, while the increased vision of who Christ is and His love for me was primary.

Tests, rather they last a day, a week, or 40 years are all about relationship.

to draw you into closer proximity. To help you follow. To be better disciples.

Tests are a part of our discipleship to Jesus.

The question, is how will you respond to those tests?

So we have the Setting. We have the Testing. We have the Miracle. Let’s conclude by looking at the Outcome.

The Outcome

John 6:14–15 “When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 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.”

They had rightly concluded that Jesus was indeed the Prophet who would be like Moses.

Their spiritual leader yes, but also their political liberator.

Because Moses was both right.

Moses taught them about God.

And Moses liberated them from Egypt.

Well these 15-25000 gathered that day were desperate for a word from God, but also freedom from Rome.

So driven by their own desires and ambitions they had concluded this was the Prophet.

And they decided to crown Him, then and there.

But Jesus will not acquiesce to our wants or whims.

He will not conform to our desires or demands.

But from His love, and by His Grace he will test our understanding of who He is, … so that we may Know Him for who He truly is, and in Knowing Him, Love Him, and in Loving Him, we follow more closely.

So Jesus, committed to a Kingdom not of this world, in no need of an earthly crown withdrew, and left them with their unfulfilled expectations.

The Feeding of the 5000- was a remarkeable display of Jesus Sufficiency.

But also a loving Test of the Disciples Faith.

Philip and Andrew both had to come to the end of themselves, so they may fully see the Sufficiency of Christ.

Let’s pray.