The Power & Sufficiency of Jesus

1 After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A huge crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was performing by healing the sick. 3 Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with his disciples.

4 Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near. 5 So when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat?” 6 He asked this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.”

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

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place; so they sat down. The men numbered about five thousand. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks he distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted.

There was plenty of grass in that place; so they sat down. The men numbered about five thousand. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks he distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted.

12 When they were full, he told his disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.

Intro: In we begin with the fourth sign or miracle in the gospel of John. This is the only miracle (besides the resurrection) Jesus performed that is recorded in all four gospel accounts. You will find this miracle recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and here in John. This long chapter serves to verify Jesus’ claims in chapter 5 thru demonstration of his power and his public preaching.

The setting is near the Sea of Galilee, which would later become known as the Sea of Tiberias. Likely this was a barren hillside area. Perhaps near the Golan Heights region on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus often chose mountainous or hillside areas to perform ministry. The region here around Galilee is rolling countryside that has rocky outcroppings. The parallel accounts in the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke reveal to us that it was later in the day. (, , )

There is a painting by British artist James Tissot that does a good job of capturing the type of scenery. The original copy of this painting can be seen in the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

(Show painting depicting this type of area)

This crowd is described by scripture as “huge”. The timing of this miracle is near the Passover festival. Large numbers of people would be traveling near this area headed to Jerusalem. Word of Jesus’ miracles had spread and multitudes were chasing after Jesus like paparazzi after a celebrity. They were impressed by his miracles and would follow him everywhere, even to remote areas such as this. The crowds moved so quickly to position themselves that they would not make provisions for shelter or food.

This miracle’s purpose is to teach the people that Jesus has the power to supply every need. Just as God provided manna in the wilderness, Jesus is the bread of heaven that meets our deepest needs, most of all spiritual needs.

This teaching appeals to a materialistic culture. But it is not the gospel. It is not the truth. Whenever we put ourselves first, we are buying into the philosophy of the culture and not of the Christian faith and the word of God.

Jesus offers himself to this crowd, not as a promise of deliverance of every pain or problem, but as the only source of true satisfaction. A satisfaction that no material possession or physical health could provide. In this miracle, Jesus satisfies completely and with more to spare.

I. The Problems

The Food

Problem #1 - Frenzied Crowds

The chapter opens with a problem, a problem with crowds. When we read Mark’s accounting of this passage we understand that the crowds were so large that Jesus and the disciples could find no time to eat. () They were extremely busy men. People were constantly pulling at Jesus and the disciples. Jesus brings his disciples across the Sea of Galilee. Mark records for us that many saw them going and ran there on foot from surrounding towns to get there ahead of them. () They were there to welcome Jesus and the disciples when they got there.

Mark also notes for us that Jesus had compassion on this multitude. () So Jesus did not dismiss them, he recognized their need and also used the opportunity to teach the crowds about who he is and why he had come.

Problem # 2 - Food Supply

These crowds were so frenzied and frantic, trying to keep up with Jesus that they made no provision for food or shelter. It was late in the day and there was little food.

Verse 10 notes that there were about 5,000 men. indicates that the number did not include women and children.

A Problem with Faith

No imagine with me just the men here - if you had 5,000 men show up for breakfast at Hardees and they only had five biscuits. How far do you think that is going to go?? Riots would ensue.

And if the number is about 5,000 men, then the total number present at this event could have reached ten, fifteen, or twenty thousand people—an incredibly large gathering. Of course it could have been 10 million and Jesus still could have fed them all.

Jesus, seeing the crowd coming towards them, asks a probing question of Philip in verse 5, “Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat.” The problem is now given to the disciples. Jesus was not asking because he did not know what to do, for the scripture tells us he knew what he was going to do. He was asking the question to test the disciples and to reveal the biggest problem, and that is:

indicates that the number did not include women and children. If that is the case, the number present at this event could have reached ten, fifteen, or twenty thousand people—an incredibly large gathering.

Problem #3 - Faltering Faith

We are sometimes quick to chastise these disciples like Philip or Peter when they fail to understand or just seem to miss it. Yet in Philip and Andrew’s response we see a mirror. A mirror that reveals to us an image of ourselves. We need to remember that one of the lessons of this passage is that human ingenuity can’t solve every problem. In fact, we cause many problems. All the technology that we have at our disposal and see how our problems have multiplied. We will always be confronted with problems that are beyond our ability to solve. We are often powerless. But Jesus is all powerful - he is going to demonstrate that once again here in .

Philip’s problem:

Philip tries to use a calculator to solve the problem. His conclusion: 200 denari or approximately one years wages would not be enough to feed this crowd! Here is the problem - a lack of faith. Perhaps, there are many times when we are too practical for our own good. We shouldn’s shun all practicality, yet there are going to be times when we are faced with problems that a human calculator or human brain cannot solve. How do we respond?

First, there are the Feelers—they go by what they feel should be done, they go by emotion. Second, there are the Figurers. They say, “Here’s the problem, and here’s the calculated solution.” But the best way to face a problem isn’t as a feeler or a figurer, but as a faither.

Philip is a figurer - he calculates the costs, how much do we need and how much is it going to cost?

Andrew’s Problem - lack of faith. We might think his answer to Jesus’ inquiry is better, yet when he discovers there are only five loaves and two fish, he responds with, “but what are they for so many.” He sees the resources and concludes that the problem cannot be solved.

Eventually the other disciples would gather, as the other gospels record for us, and essentially offer no solution. They were basically saying to Jesus: “Well, here we are in this deserted place, it’s dark-thirty. Let’s just send these people away so they can go to the villages and find shelter and get some food.”

Jesus responds with, “They don’t need to go anywhere, you all get them something to eat.” They answer with, “How in the world are we going to do that?” Jesus then says, “What do you have?” The disciples answer, “We only have five loaves and two fish. What in the world are we going to do with that?”

I know that there have been times in my life when I just wished that the problem would go away. states, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”

The problem is that we have a faith problem. We forget too quickly who is with us and the power he has. When we are confronted with a problem we too quickly try to figure it out ourselves or we despair of the situation and throw up our hands. Or we think that we are limited in our supply - that we just can’t make a difference…What difference can we make with so little. We forget that everything belongs to him and that he has the power to provide and that he can take what we see as minimal or small and use it for his glory.

I have heard it said that “Men are like the gods they serve.” Our view of God determines how we conduct our lives.

II. The Solution

These problems could only be solved by the Lord Jesus Christ…How foolish I am to believe that I can solve difficult problems. Let’s face it, we are going to confront situations where there seems to be no way out or no solution. The answer is this: the solution is found in the person of Jesus.

II.

Now Jesus performs a miracle here. He takes the bread of the poor (barley loaves were small flat wafers essentially) and small fish (sardines?) and gives thanks. John Philips helps us here:

God is the Powerful Provider

“We must remember that when Jesus came down to earth he did not come to behave as God, although he was never less than God. He came to behave as though he were never more than man, even though he is God. So he did a very human thing. He took the loaves and he gave thanks.”

Jesus demonstrates for us the need for dependance on God. That is, we need to fix our eyes on Him, and not on our problems. Be practical, don’t be dumb and exasperate a situation by being neglectful or simply run away from the problem. Face it with the seemingly limited resources you have with full faith and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is, we need to fix our eyes on Him, and not on our problems. Be practical, don’t be dumb and exasperate a situation by being neglectful or simply run away from the problem. Face it with the seemingly limited resources you have with full faith and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ.

This miracle’s purpose is to teach the people and the disciples that Jesus has the power to supply every need. Just as God provided manna in the wilderness, Jesus is the bread of heaven that meets our deepest needs, most of all spiritual needs. He is the bread from heaven.

Remember Who is With You

These disciples seem to forget so quickly. Had they not seen Jesus turn the water into wine and the miracles he had already performed? But we need to look in the mirror. I have often said the biggest problem I have is not someone else, but the man who stares at me in the mirror every morning. Do I remember who God is? I have heard it said that “Men are like the gods they serve.” Our view of God determines how we conduct our lives. What do I believe? What am I trusting in? Who am I trusting in?

Give Him Everything

My desire to control situations and people distorts my vision. It clouds my understanding and hampers my spiritual growth. The incessant need to “fix it” or “figure it out” will stunt your spiritual growth. Likewise, we need to remember that even if what we have is little - that we should give it all to him. He can multiply and provide.

Rest in His Power & Purpose

This miracle’s purpose is to teach the people and the disciples that Jesus has the power to supply every need. Just as God provided manna in the wilderness, Jesus is the bread of heaven that meets our deepest needs, most of all spiritual needs. He is the bread from heaven. It is also to teach the disciples a lesson in faith. That we need to rely on the power of God and not on human wisdom or human philosophies. The church of Jesus Christ has faltered in many ways in our modern time depending too much on human wisdom and not on the power of God.

Conclusion:

This miracle’s purpose is to teach the people and the disciples that Jesus has the power to supply every need. Just as God provided manna in the wilderness, Jesus is the bread of heaven that meets our deepest needs, most of all spiritual needs. He is the bread from heaven.

Jesus is everything you need. He is everything you could ever desire. When your affections are set on him you will never lack for anything you truly need. Even when we have little or nothing we have everything when we have him. He can take the broken pieces and meager barley bread of our lives and use it for his glory when we give it all to him. In fact, Jesus ensures that nothing is wasted, not even our pain. He also ensures that we are never lost. The 12 baskets that were leftover illustrate that nothing of his will ever be lost. When Jesus provides there is always more than enough. His love and grace never run out.

No wine at the wedding - no problem…Jesus turns the water into wine.

Not present with a sick child - no problem - just say the word and he is healed.

Can’t walk - no problem - pick up your mat Jesus says, and walk

No food in the wilderness - no problem, Jesus creates more bread and fish - enough for all to eat and be full with food leftover. When you follow Jesus there may be plenty of bends in the road and bumps along the way but you will never reach a dead end - you will always make it to the final destination.

“Thru many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

, “Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us..”

Elisabeth Eliot:

Elisabeth Eliot:

“If the only thing you have to offer is a broken heart, you offer a broken heart. So in a time of grief, the recognition that this is material for sacrifice has been a very great strength for me. Realizing that nothing I have, nothing I am will be refused on the part of Christ, I simply give it to him as the little boy gave Jesus five loaves and two fishes-with the same feeling of the disciples when they said, “What is the good of that for such a crowd?” Naturally in almost anything I offer to Christ, my reaction would be, “What is the good of that?” The point is, the use he makes of it is none of my business; it is his business, it is his blessing. So the grief, this loss, this suffering, this pain-whatever it is, which at the moment is God’s means of testing my faith and brining me to the recognition of who he is - that is the thing I can offer.”