The Bread of Life - Part 2

Introduction:

Most of my best friends are Pastors and church leaders, which is a strange friend group to have. A few years ago my best friend and former pastor went to a conference in Orlando together. We had some time to kill and Avatar 2 had just come out so we went in right after dinner and came out to the strangeness of a friday night in downtown orlando. We didn’t fit in and it was awkward. We basically kept our eyes looking up and found our way as quick as possible.

When I talk to friends we usually end up talking about theology, Jesus and our church.

One of the things we end up talking about is how many people don’t get it.

Church work is messy sometimes. It’s emotional and it can be relentless- Sunday happens almost every week.

Do you know where the mess comes from, though? I can’t recall a time when that mess ever came from here (the bible). I’ve never been involved in church drama where my members were out in the parking lot swinging over salvation or the person of Jesus.

Every time it’s about temporal, earthly, mundane stuff. Churches split over pews vs chairs, they argue over building funds, or politics.

And every time these issues involve someone who just doesn’t get it.

What we mean by that is this: they don’t understand who Jesus is.

————

Last week we read John 6:1-15, where Jesus feeds the 5000. But before He does, Jesus turns to Phillip and asks “where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He did this- to test him. John 6:6 “6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.”

What was the test? Do you who I am?

Today even in the miracle we’ll be reading, the disciples will fail to grasp just who Jesus is.

Yet, Jesus does not give up on them. He will get to you. He will create bread from nothing to feed you, and He will walk on water in a storm to reach you.

If you are able, please stand for the reading of God’s word.

1. While it is still Day

John 6:16–21 ESV

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Pray

Today we’re going to begin with a miracle that occurs three times across Matthew, Mark and John. The biblical authors all give different details, excluding or including some details that another author completes.

Why is the bible like this?

(Explain multiple sources being advantageous)

So, what I’ve done is put all three biblical accounts together for our benefit today:

Matthew 14:22-24 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat

by this time was a long way from the land [John says 3-4 miles], beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.

(Unique) Mark 6:48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them.

Matthew 14: 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

Mark 6:49-50 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” [John: It is I, do not be afraid.”]

(Unique) John 6:21a Then they were glad to take him into the boat

(Unique) Matthew 14: includes Peter walking on water; Mark and John do not.

Mark 6: 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded

(Unique) Mark 6:52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

(Unique) John 6:21b and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

What is the point of this short passage? The key verse is 21: John 6:21 “21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”

Why is this included?

But John’s account leaves out half the details that Mark includes. Why is that?

I want you to be bible scholars. This is our textbook and I need you to be an expert on it.

He doesn’t include Jesus telling them to go while He stays. He doesn’t include Jesus going up on the mountain to pray. He doesn’t include them thinking Jesus was a ghost, or that Peter walked on water or that the waters are calmed. Why?

I submit to you the point John wants us to zero in on is verse 21

John 6:21 “21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”

Yes the waters are calmed, yes they got where they needed to go (maybe miraculously immediately landing). But what solved their situation immediately?

It was that Jesus got in the boat with them.

Remember these are disciples- they follow a Rabbi around all the time. They learned two lessons that day, one a pleasant lunch and one at 3am.

I love that Mark includes Mark 6:51–52 “51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”

They didn’t learn the lesson at lunch time. But wouldn’t you love to learn all Jesus’ lessons on a pleasant day?

Jesus will gives us opportunities learn lessons at His feet. You should find a quiet time in the day to spend time with Jesus. You should walk around the house and talk to Him like He’s sitting on the couch. If you were to turn a camera on me during the day you’d see me talking out loud but I don’t talk to myself, I’m learning to do this, too. I say “wow thank you Lord” “Or, this is beautiful, Lord”. I’m slowly SLOWLY becoming a person who chooses to sit at His feet and hear His wisdom.

Psalm 120:1 “1 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.” I’ve learned far too many lessons while three miles out. I’m sure you have as well.

Mark says, they were utterly astounded because they didn’t understand the loaves. They didn’t ponder the person of Jesus when He was creating food. Here’s the idea: If they knew who made the bread, they wouldn’t be fearful in the storm.

They were astounded because they didn’t understand the loaves.

John 14:27 “27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Jesus approaches them and doesn’t say “It’s okay, I’m going to calm down this storm. I’m going to take care of this.” He says something better. “It is I. Do not be afraid”.

For their sake, the two phrases are functionally equivalent. “We are safe”, and “Jesus is here” mean the same thing.

John 9:4 “4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

Story of Jan Sutton and Phil Sutton

Jan and Phil I believe were married for more than 60 years. Phil was this energetic former police chief in Davidson county. He lead our men’s ministry, and he and his wife ran a clothing drive for the poor in Appalachia and organized a kids fishing trip on raccoon island ever year. His wife Jan did all this with him and also ran our preK awana bible study like it was the navy. She is a force of a woman. I remember when Phil was dying they brought him home and put him on morphine. I was good friends with a dad at our church and when I told him we were going with our kids, he said he wanted his kids to come, too. He said afterward it was good for them to see how a Christian dies.

He has two daughters, Emma, Addie and we had Jacob. And we brought them over to say goodbye to Mr. Phil before he went to heaven.

What struck me was how calm Jan was. We were crying and the girls were especially. And there was Jan, rubbing their backs and comforting them. She shed her tears for sure, but she kept saying “ We know where he is going”.

She learned before the storm that Jesus is here, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Application: Spend time with Jesus today. I want you to write down at the bottom of your sheet what you will do to learn Him today, and this week.

2. No One Can Work

22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

I want you to see the familiarity they call to Jesus with, here. They call Him Rabbi, or teacher. Rabbis were a common sight in ancient Israel. They would walk around followed by a crowd of students. But no one ever had 15-20,000 people following them. Jesus was an anomaly to them. No them, nor their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents had seen a miracle performed in their lives. It had been 400 years since the last prophet before John. No one had seen the sick healed much less water to wine, bread multiplied, etc..

Jesus was unique, and so a large crowd followed. And large crowds seek large crowds.

But these people who followed Jesus across the sea, who called Him Rabbi were soon to leave Him.

26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

Like we mentioned last week. This is the motivation of so many professing Christians. Jesus could have said to them “well I got over here by walking on water”. What would they do?

John 6:15 “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.”

They were about to kidnap Jesus to force Him to be king just for multiplying bread. Now Hes someone in charge of storms and can walk on water?

But no, He doesn’t reveal this about Himself. So many times this happens in scripture. Jesus reveals so much more of Himself to His disciples rather than the crowds.

Doesn’t this make Him a bad evangelist? Why does Jesus seem to not care about selling Himself to the crowds? Verse 15 provides a clue here. He “perceived” what they were about to do. He read their minds- He knew what they were going to do.

Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints:

Perseverance may be defined as that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer, by which the work of divine grace that is begun in the heart is continued and brought to competition. It is because God never forsakes His work that believers continue to stand to the very end. Louis Berkhof from Systematic Theology (pg. 546)

Philippians 1:6 “6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

People are often confused by the concept of “once saved, always saved” that statement is true but it is vague. Instead, All true saints will persevere to heaven.

In our chapter these crowds who followed Jesus across the sea of Galilee, who call Him rabbi are about to leave Him. Maybe they professed a sort of allegiance to their king. But they really didn’t know who He is, much less repent and profess faith.

So, how do we know if we have been saved? If God enables us to endure. If we persevere, we know it is not by our own strength.

If you learned that I crossed the Atlantic ocean yesterday, would you assume I am really good swimmer? No. You would know I took a transatlantic flight.

Likewise, if I told you someone made it to heaven, would you assume they were phenomenally faithful? No. You would know that God took them there.

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

Jesus gives them the answer. You’re working- crossing the sea for bread that will perish. Think of all that you once desired. That old rust bucket sitting in a junkyard somewhere was once the car you dreamed of having. The delicious meal you had on your anniversary has long decomposed. All that you once worked so hard for here will perish, burn up consumed. Jesus tells them you must work for eternal food.

You eat bread here to stay alive here, but you must eat eternal bread to live in heaven. You must feast on the bread of life to have life.

Then the crowds hear something they can grab onto. These are farmers and tradesmen. They aren’t the aristocrats living down south, they can work.

Jesus has hooked them with a plan they can do, here it is:

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

The work of God is that you stop working. The work is that you believe in Jesus.

The Gospel

The work is that you believe in Jesus, in the work that Jesus would do. Soon this Jesus who they really liked would go to a roman cross, and suffer and die for sins He did not commit. He would willingly go with His killers to accomplish His own plan. He would suffer the wrath of man and God on the cross. Bearing the nails of mankind, and bearing a much more painful blow- the sins of His people.

On the old rugged cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.

The Crowds

The crowds do not understand this message. In the next sermon they will challenge Him again, asking for Him to prove it. They’ll ask Him to give them manna like Moses. They are not going to persevere.

Are you the same? I do not know. I am sure I’ve been to funerals where we sang hymns and read scripture, but that person never made it. They didn’t know Jesus.

The Disciples The disciples have a different story. They saw experienced something different in Jesus than the crowds did. Remember what Matthew said? These seasoned fisherman, men who grew up on this sea. Archaeologist have found first century boats from this sea. Do you know what they had on them? Sails.

The disciples couldn’t open their sails in the storm, so they ended up three miles right in the middle, paddling. They were out of options, and Jesus wasn’t just an additional benefit to their cushy lives, He was their only hope.

At the end of our chapter, Jesus is going to turn sadly to His own disciples and ask “Do you want to go away as well?” to which Peter will respond “Lord to who shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”