All Signs Point to Jesus - Week 6

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This week we continue in John, the 7 signs recorded in John, and this week we set our focus on the feeding of the 5,000. A very familiar passage. I think all the 7 signs are familiar to us if you have been in church for any length of time, but this one in particular. I feel like this is one that gets mentioned more often.

The reason it may feel that way is because it is the only miracle that Jesus performs, that is recorded in all four gospels. We talked early on that John is very unique in its content and it does come later than the synoptic gospels, so that could be why he records different events, but this is one miracle that simply could not be overlooked.

This account is found in: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:11-17, John 6:1-15

What is a book or movie that has inspired you with the characters resiliency or bravery?

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing tells the gripping true story of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Antarctic expedition, where his ship, the Endurance, was trapped and crushed by ice, leaving his crew stranded in one of the harshest environments on earth. Through extraordinary leadership, resilience, and teamwork, Shackleton led all 28 men to safety without a single loss of life.

Historians today still do not understand how they could have possibly survived. This part seems to be urban legend but it is legendary none the less. There is a famous ad ran in the paper looking for people to go on the journey, here is what it said: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in the event of success.”

Generally people that we see as resilient or brave, are people meeting the needs of other people. This miracle was a miracle that met the need of people but also inspired the disciples, even if it was after the resurrection of Jesus. This event as I said was recorded in all 4 gospel accounts.

John 6:1–5 “1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. 3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?””

After these things, or after this. We are coming off the heels of Chapter 5, where we talked last week about the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda, if you remember it ends with the religious leaders upset about the Sabbath being violated.

John 5:10 “10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.””

John 5:16–18 “16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” 18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”

After this Jesus goes on for another 30 verses almost, no doubt infuriating the religious leaders even more. This chapter comes on right after this tussle with the religious leaders, and it seems that Jesus wanted to get away from the crowd to rest, and recharge.

Matthew 14:13 “13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.”

Mark 6:31–32 “31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.”

Luke 9:10 “10 Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.”

In every instance of the recording outside of John we see the why of crossing the sea of Galilee. Jesus was taking the disciples to rest and have some one on one teaching time. But in every instance the crowds find out where he is going and start showing up. John tells us they followed because of the signs they saw Him perform.

Think about the setting here. Jesus could have said, we are coming to rest. This is a little one on one time. We are having an exclusive meeting. But he doesn’t he sees the crowds and is moved with compassion toward them.

When have you felt noticed by Jesus? How does it change you to know He is always interruptible for your needs? Jesus was and is always intentionally interruptible.

So Jesus sees the crowd which was huge by the way, and says how are we going to feed them. It was clear that it was late in the day and the people were hungry, with no where to go to get food. All of disciples tell Jesus you have to send them away to get food.

How have you seen God multiply small things in your life or meet your needs in surprising ways? Why is is significant that Jesus noticed and cared about the physical needs of the crowd?

Think about that. He could have said this spiritual food is what they really need. My words are the food that sustains. I once fasted for 40 days I think they can skip dinner. Sometimes, but not always, physical needs can blind us to the spiritual needs of ourselves, and others.

John 6:6–11 “6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” 10 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.”

Jesus previously asked Phillip how are we going to feed them, and we find out here it was to test him. Remember John is highlighting how Jesus is pulling people into the work that He is performing. He already planned to feed the people, and was inviting Phillip into the miracle. Really He invites all the disciples into the miracle.

Phillip is quick to point out two problems.

We do not have enough money to buy food for all these people. Most would say that the number he throws out is about six months wages, and his point is that is only enough for each person to have a just a small amount. Thats the first problem, we are broke.

The second problem, is even if they had the money were would the food come from. Its late in the day, towns are not far but they are also not in a town, and would they have enough to feed 5,000 men, not to mention their wives, and children of those present.

We’ve seen this before but Phillip is still putting limits on Jesus. As many miracles and signs as has been seen there is still a hesitation that this could be done.

How have you personally observed that “little is much when God is in it”?

Andrew comes along and we see the famous lunch that we have all heard about. 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish. We see the same limitations that Phillip exhibited as well. What is this among so many? The answer is plenty, with Jesus.

Even the details of the food give us understanding. This was not a wealthy lunch-able, or a Pinterest worthy bento box, this was the cheap stuff. Barley was the cheap bread, and the greek here indicates these were small, insignificant fish. It wasn’t small in that there was a small amount, it was like 2 sardines. Nothing.

What’s our part and what’s God’s part in seeing our physical needs met? What is the relationship between faith and God’s provision?

What does Jesus do? He has them sit down. About 5,000 men. I already said it does not include women and children. This number is much greater than we many times think in our heads. Some would put the number to be between 10-15k or more.

What makes you think it was more than just men? Why would there be whole families coming out to hear Jesus? John tells us in Verse 4, I skipped it earlier. John 6:4 “4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.” Its Passover. We have talked about this in the past, it is a pilgrimage feast, one of three where they travelled to Jerusalem. Whole families would come, and now whole families are seeing the Messiah and hearing His words.

He makes them sit, He blessed the food, and then everyone ate as much as they wanted.

Jesus is able to work with even the smallest of resources, when it is trusted in His hands.

Why do you think Jesus involved the disciples in the distribution of food instead of doing it all Himself?

John 6:12–15 “12 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” 13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.”

Why the 12 baskets?

I think it is one for each disciple. I believe this miracle was for the disciples more than it was for the crowd. Remember things are getting heated now, they are seeking to kill him, and we are heading into His last year of ministry. He wants his disciples to know that even when he is not here with them, they still have His power.

Can you imagine carrying a full basket out that evening? Maybe sitting, and if there is a lid opening it up just to look in? What did I just witness today.

Some scholars think it represents the 12 tribes of Israel, and God’s ongoing provision.

Regardless, what we see is something we have seen over and over with the signs John has been recording and showing us. Jesus is calling his disciples to not only witness the miracle, but to participate. The servants, at Cana the first week participated in the miracle of water to wine, and here the disciples are participating in the miracle.

God is working and moving but invites us to be part of the miracles around us by inviting us into service and relationship with Him.

I personally think there are three groups here in this narrative.

Participants - You have the participants in the miracle. The disciples as we just mentioned are invited to be partakers, co laborers in what Jesus is doing. This is the same call we have today. God is moving and working and invites us to join Him. So the disciples clearly saw the miracle, and the full extent of the miracle was evident. They collected the 12 baskets at the end.

Witnesses - the next group are the people that realized what was going on. They knew that they had been in the presence of greatness, something supernatural had taken place and they witnessed that supernatural work of God. These are the people that will go and tell everyone like the woman at the well. You won’t believe this, we went to hear that Jesus guy give a talk, it was great but a little long and we were getting so hungry out by the sea, then he prays over some bread and fish and next thing you know thousands and thousands of people were fed. Can you believe that….we got to witness a real life miracle.

Bystander - These are the people that are there but totally miss the miracle. Whereas one group goes and tells about this crazy miracle they witnessed this other group is upset. They may feel a little cheated. They came out to see the miracle worker. Maybe they were intrigued by the gossip about this teacher, and came and listened hoping to see a miracle, and walked away sour. The teaching was dry, the food was meh, and we didn’t see a miracle.

Those three sum up many of our life experiences, and how we let our perspective dictate our experience.

When has Jesus stepped in to meet your needs in a powerful way?

Wrap up with the last two verses. Truly this is the Prophet capital P.

Deuteronomy 18:15 “15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,”

They honestly thought this was the messiah, but it was not Jesus time to be seen as the Messiah, or to become a King or some type of political leader.

What are some lessons we can learn from this sign in John?

How does this passage challenge the way you see your own resources, talents, or time?