The 4th Sign, Messiah Feeds Thousands (6:1-14)

The story of Jesus feeding the multitude deserves special attention. It is the only miracle featured in all four Gospels (; ; ). The gospel authors appear to have somewhat different purposes for including the story, but they all determined it to be important in the story of Jesus’ life. Matthew and Luke appear to be simply interested in the miracle itself and offer little embellishment. Mark emphasizes Jesus’ compassion in the story as Jesus sees the multitude as “sheep without a shepherd.” John, however, in line with his purpose in writing the gospel, makes a significantly larger point in his inclusion of the miracle.

Message 28 | | June 2, 2019

The story of Jesus feeding the multitude deserves special attention. It is the only miracle featured in all four Gospels (; ; ). The gospel authors appear to have somewhat different purposes for including the story, but they all determined it to be important in the story of Jesus’ life. Matthew and Luke appear to be simply interested in the miracle itself and offer little embellishment. Mark emphasizes Jesus’ compassion in the story as Jesus sees the multitude as “sheep without a shepherd.” John, however, in line with his purpose in writing the gospel, makes a significantly larger point in his inclusion of the miracle.

John includes several additional details omitted by the other gospel authors. (1) He marks the time of year by acknowledging that the miracle took place at the time of Passover, a marker that is integral to John’s purpose. (2) John offers the additional detail that the bread, offered by the young boy, were barley loaves which was the poorest type of bread. Barley loaves would have been used to feed animals or poor families. The fish were probably small pickled fish that were meant to be a side dish. (3) Only John acknowledges the reason for gathering the left over 12 baskets. (4) John takes an extended moment to explain the spiritual significance of the feeding of the multitude, that being that Jesus was the bread of life. (5) And finally, John explains the general response of the crowd to his miracle, that being they vastly rejected him.[1]

While our attention will primarily rest on the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude, we must first understand the miracle in light of the purpose of the whole chapter and the whole book.

Purpose Statement. As a result of your belief, stand in awe and imitate Jesus.

We believe due to Jesus display of deity.

Feeding in light of entire chapter. (1) Jesus feeds the multitude (6:1-15). (2) Jesus walks on water (6:16-21). (3) The bread of life discourse (6:22-59). (4) Twelve remain, many others leave (6:60-71).

Feeding connected to Passover. As was already mentioned, John is the only gospel author that feels the need to acknowledge that this miracle took place at the time of Passover. We ought to be careful to not read to much into this additional fact, therefore, we take J. Ramsey Michael’s counsel to heart as he writes, “it is only a momentary notice, and should not be allowed to govern the interpretation of the entire chapter.”[2] Yet, Borchert offers an additionally important point, “it is strategic to recognize that for a Jew the control of water and the concept of eating are forever linked in Passover.”[3]

Jesus’ reflects the Passover celebration. Let me offer an overly simplified reminder of Passover. Passover was a reminder to Israel of God’s deliverance from Egypt. The celebration of Passover reminds the Jewish people of a number of great works by God, two of them being God’s protection as he delivered them through the water and God’s provision as he provided manna for them to eat.

John makes a point of acknowledging Passover and then shares two significant events that align with God’s work in the Passover. At time of Passover, Jesus amply provides food (; ) and displays power over the sea (; ).

Time of Passover further enhances the miracle. The time of the miracle being Passover as well illuminates other significant realities further highlighting the magnificence of Jesus’ miracle. Feeding a large group of people would have been a difficult task in this place and at this time of the year. The miracle likely took place during the spring, which means that most of the grain supply would have been gone. The towns in the area would have only numbered 2-3,000 people, making the supplies limited to such a large mass of people. As well, the miracle took place near the end of the day which would indicate that most of the bread made that morning would have been gone.

The disciples wanted to send the people away to find food and lodging for the night. Their reasoning was very practical. There were probably more than 10,000 people present and they are in an abandoned wilderness or desert place. John indicates that the group was along the sea, so they were probably some distance away from any towns.

Feeding connected to the Old Testament. In looking forward to the coming Messiah, Isaiah informs Israel, “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined” (). God intends to provide for his people in abundance. Jesus revealed himself to be the Messiah as he produced an abundance of wine () and an abundance of food ().

An additional Old Testament connection may be made. Elijah’s feeding in 2 Kings bears some similarities to this miracle feeding.

A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord ().

Feeding connected to Kingdom of God. Jesus taught the people concerning the kingdom of God. The fact that Jesus taught on the kingdom fits well being accompanied by a mass feeding. The disciples had as well been out preaching and teaching about the kingdom of God. One aspect of the kingdom that Jews looked forward too was the abundance of food in the kingdom. In this miracle Jesus shows His ability to lavishly provide, similarly to the future kingdom.

All of chapter 6 reinforces the purpose of John’s gospel. Thus, all of chapter 6 reinforces John’s primary purpose of the book. John displays Jesus deity in by revealing his power over the sea, his powerful provision in producing food for a large group of people, and his additional explanation, “I am the Bread of Life.” All throughout the gospel, John offers snapshots of Jesus that provide ample evidence for his messiahship and deity. His purpose all along is to lead us to belief and thereby life.

Assuming you’ve embraced the primary point of , that being belief; you can move deeper into the narrative and stand in awe of and imitate Christ’s character.

We stand in awe of and imitate his character.

Worthy of radical pursuit. Stand in awe of Christ, prompted by an accurate view of Him; then pursue him radically. The people are commended (by me, not the text) for their radical pursuit of Jesus but it is motivated by improper understanding and passions (6:2, 15, 26). Christ is worthy of passionate pursuit, but because he meets our eternal (& present) spiritual (& physical) needs, not just our temporal felt needs.

Selfless compassion. People around us ought to experience our compassion not our annoyance.

Reasons for withdrawal. (1) Jesus had sent out the 12 disciples and they have been ministering. They had been healing and the sick, casting out demons, anointing the sick with oil, being rejected in many towns, and proclaiming the kingdom of God () and repentance (). They needed a break and a time to regroup. (2) John the Baptist had been beheaded (; ).

They purposefully go to secluded place. In their effort to be alone, they purposefully go to a secluded area (the desolate eastern shore of the sea of Galilee)

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 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. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ().

Jesus shows compassion. Jesus needs a moment to breathe, to grieve, even to eat and instead of annoyance with this selfish crowd, he feels and shows compassion.

Crowds, from each town, followed Jesus around the sea of Galilee on foot (, ). The crowds arrived ahead of Jesus (). The large crowd waited for Him on the shoreline (, ). Jesus welcomed and had compassion on the crowd. Mark adds to his account, “because they were like sheep without a shepherd” This is the motivation for why Jesus welcomed and had compassion on the people.

Personalize and imitate this. We are annoying and selfish people demanding Christ fulfill our needs. He looks on us with compassion.

Spiritual awareness. The addressing of physical needs, although important, is secondary too and should be accompanied by spiritual truth. It is important that we care for the poor, needy, widows, and fatherless.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? ().

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” ().

learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. ().

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. ().

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. ().

We are to seek justice and defend the oppressed. But our care falls short if we only ever minister to their physical and temporal needs and fail to acknowledge their spiritual needs.

Purposeful discipleship. (1) He tested Philip (6:6). (2) He offered his disciples opportunities to serve. (3) Jesus takes time to teach them the spiritual significance of his miracles.

Unencumbered power. (1) The disciples underestimate and overlooked the power of Christ, and we often do the same. (2) Offer Christ whatever you have. He is not limited by our weak and insufficient offerings.

[1] Andreas J. Köstenberger, A Theology of John’s Gospel and Letters: The Word, the Christ, the Son of God, Biblical Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009), 209. “More likely, John thinks of his various selections as vignettes that follow one another as somewhat self-contained units, connected only loosely to form a coherent sequential narrative.”

I’m not sure it matters much to the story, but it may be significant that John apparently jumps ahead, chronologically, nearly 6 months if not more. He begins chapter 6 with “After this,” which would have been after the events of chapter 5, the healing at the pool on the Sabbath. I appreciate Kostbenberger’s assessment, but I’m not sure acknowledging this in a message is necessary or helpful to the primary point.

[2] Michaels, The Gospel of John, 343.

[2] Michaels, The Gospel of John, 343.

[3] Gerald L. Borchert, The New American Commentary Volume 25A - (Holman Reference, 1996), 250.

[3] Gerald L. Borchert, The New American Commentary Volume 25A - (Holman Reference, 1996), 250.