John 6:1-14

Introduction

Read John 6:1-14

John 6:1–14 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!”

Explanation

John 6:1-4 “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.”

SETTING: We have three VERY important details that we must remember.

The crowd was following Jesus because he was healing the sick.

The crowd is motivated by the healing of Jesus.

We have to ask, “Was that a good motivator or not?”

Jesus has two audiences: the crowd and the disciples.

Never forget as you read the gospels that who Jesus is speaking to is vitally important to understanding what he is saying.

If you have red letters in your Bible, it is a good habit to ask yourself, “who do the red letters address?”

We focus upon Jesus’ interaction with the crowd (and we should), but it is important to note that every word that Jesus speaks in this text is to the disciples.

The Passover was near.

John 6:5-10 “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.”

SYNOPSIS: Jesus enters into a conversation with his disciples. He knows He will perform a miracle, but has asks them where to get the food. Philip and Andrew offer some suggestions.

Philip, “We cannot buy enough food.”

Philip wanted to solve this situation rationally.

“There are 13 of us, and if we all work for about 3 weeks, we could feed everyone here.”

I am thankful that Jesus grace is bigger than my faith. I am floored when I read this passage, because even as a pastor, I am tempted to fix the unbelievable amount of brokenness that I see by my own power.

Andrew, “A boy has five loaves and two fish, but that small amount doesn’t scratch the surface of what we need to feed all of these people.”

Andrew, whether sarcastically or earnestly, draws attention to a little boy’s food.

Either way, his suggestion draws attention to the fact that these people cannot feed themselves.

Jesus, “Tell everyone to have a seat.”

The first disciple tried to fix an impossible problem with his brain, and the second tried to organize the people.

Jesus says, “Watch this.”

I find it interesting that Jesus asked the disciples to pick up the leftover bread, but He did not ask them to pass it out.

John 6:11-13 “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.”

IMAGINE: Around the time of the Passover, Jesus without the help of his disciples, feeds nearly 20,000 people who have seen him heal the sick.

Jesus is saying, “Only I can provide what you need. I alone can satisfy your needs.”

Application

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.”

The most important question you can answer tonight is, “Will you take Jesus for who He is?”

Some of you in the room tonight have come because of the peripheral goods that Jesus offers?

A girl, a guy, friends, community, or a place to go on Tuesday nights.

Maybe, it is a place where you don’t feel alone.

Some perceived that He was a prophet to teach and entertain. Others championed Him as king to rule and conquer. He had come as bread to satisfy.

Invitation