With Jesus at Lunch

John 6:1-15

The Main Idea: Although our spiritual needs are paramount, Jesus cares about our physical concerns.

Life Application: Jesus takes our small resources and multiplies them to accomplish his purpose.

INTRODUCTION

Whenever we observe the life of Jesus, we see a balance between the spiritual and physical. As the Son of God, Jesus had access to the divine power that amazed those who saw his miracles. In his Incarnation, Jesus remained God. Yet, in his human flesh, Jesus also felt weariness, hunger, pain, and temptation. His heart of love was moved with compassion when he saw hurt and hopelessness. While Jesus knew his ultimate mission was to offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, he did not ignore human needs on his journey to the cross.

If we profess to follow the example of Jesus, we must not be calloused to the needs we see around us. While we may be overwhelmed by them, we must remember that Jesus calls us to be his extended hands of love and grace to the helpless, hopeless, and hungry. To follow Jesus means more than joining a church even though that is a good decision. It means a radical change of lifestyle from selfishness to selflessness, a surrender of our will to the plan and purpose of God for us. Such a change is more than a decision but a spiritual transformation that changes our desires, direction, and destination.

Transition Statement: Although Jesus came to earth to meet spiritual needs, he did not ignore the physical concerns around him.

· Jesus observed the crowd. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said, “Where shall we buy food for these people to eat?”

All four gospels record this miracle of feeding the five thousand men. However, the entire group could have been twice that amount. The reason Jesus was on the mountainside was to have a brief time of rest, but that was not to be. As a servant-leader, Jesus refused to ignore physical and spiritual needs. He was available even when on vacation! While the crowd that searched out Jesus was mesmerized by his power to heal, Jesus treated them with love and compassion. He was not willing to send them away hungry and without any recourse to food. He cared for their bodies as well as their souls.

While Jesus knew how he would eventually handle the food shortage crisis, he asked Philip for his input. Since Philip was from nearby Bethsaida, Jesus inquired where they could purchase food for the crowd. It is noteworthy that Jesus did not ask for charity or a donation. He tested the faith of Philip by consulting him for a reliable recommendation. Perhaps Philip had an uncle with a catering service! The response from Philip indicated he had no suggestion. Even if there were food available, eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite! The need overwhelmed Philip and blinded his eyes of faith. Can you relate? What would you have said to the question if Jesus asked you, especially if your bank account showed a zero balance?Have you ever thought the predicament you were in was impossible? God often waits until we reach the end of our resources before he steps into our problem with a miraculous answer!

· Jesus fed the crowd. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

No matter how we look at the situation on the mountainside, there was no earthly way to feed that enormous crowd without a divine miracle! One wonders why no one besides this boy thought to bring a lunch! Perhaps, the eagerness of the multitudes to find Jesus caused them to forget how far removed they were from civilization. Our human reasoning often negates divine power. Even though we have seen God work miracles in the past, the present crisis seems insurmountable. But with Jesus, all he required was five loaves and two fish. All he needed was for one boy to offer what he had to the hands of the Master! That same response is all God asks of you and me; to offer to God what we have and not what someone else has! When Jesus feeds us, we are no longer hungry! We can have as much of God as we want! Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Mt. 5:6).

While we are often emotionally driven, Jesus chose to feed the crowd in an orderly fashion. He had them sit and wait for their food. Otherwise, there could have been chaos as people rushed to receive food for their hungry bodies. Yet, as they waited, they saw the bread and fish continue to multiply! However, the multiplying happened after Jesus gave thanks by blessing God, not necessarily the food. In the original language, giving thanks or blessing is the word eucharistesas from which we derive the Eucharist meal. Even though the blessing was great, Jesus also desired for none of it to be wasted. We dare not consider the provision of God as ordinary.

· Jesus left the crowd. Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Although this miracle had a spiritual connection, the crowd only saw a political opportunity. They saw Jesus as their mighty deliverer from the rule of the hated Roman Empire. After all, a king who could take five loaves and two fish and feed thousands of people appeared to be a pretty good deal, the kind of Messiah they wanted to rule over them. People are obsessed with sensational and emotional movements. People are mesmerized by something supernatural they can see and celebrate. However, Jesus was not interested in conducting a miracle show. Many individuals would rather see water turned into wine or bread multiplied than to see a soul transformed by the grace of God. Jesus was concerned with the inner reality of new birth into the kingdom of God. No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (Jn. 3:3).

Just as Jesus refused to allow Satan to deter him from the pathway of the cross during the temptation in the desert, Jesus resisted the designs of the multitude who wished to force him to be their king. In our translations, we read he withdrew to the mountain, but the original manuscripts depict something more urgent—he fled from the crowd. Jesus refused to waver from his purpose for coming to earth. He had not come to seize political power or be an earthly king but to die as a sacrifice for sin.Yet, by dying and rising in Resurrection victory, Jesus became the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Transition Statement: As our example, Jesus calls us to follow him without reservation.

CONCLUSION

Although the miracle of Jesus taking five loaves and two fish and feeding thousands demonstrates the power of God, its application to us is challenging. As we view our world, we echo the response of Philip to Jesus. What do we have to offer the hungry and dying souls all around us? The need is overwhelming. Thus, we often pull ourselves away from the crowds and retreat to our safe places, comfortable homes, or churches. But Jesus continues to call us to feed his sheep. If we feed the sheep, we may have to smell like sheep! Yet, many Christians do not want to be shocked by the bewildering truth that millions of people have never heard the gospel message.

If we follow Jesus with our whole hearts, we will do more than decry the dire situation in our world. Jesus calls us to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and care for the dying. There is no way we can fulfill this call without getting our hands dirty. While we might prefer an amiable stroll with Jesus as our buddy, he calls us to grow in grace and to climb the mountain of spiritual maturity. While we may not comprehend what Jesus can do with our few loaves and fish, he gives thanks to His Father for us “as in his hands the miracle is repeated, the resource multiplied, and the multitude fed.” (Milne).

The question we must ask ourselves is how deeply do I love Jesus? When he satisfies my desires and hunger, I am all in. But, when he calls me to self-denial by following him to the cross, suddenly I hesitate. Friends, the only way to live a fulfilled life with Christ is through surrender. Years ago, someone asked William Booth about the impact his life had and how it happened. He replied, “For the last eighty years, God has had all there is of William Booth.” How much of you does God have today? Is your heart hungry for the bread of life? Are you all in or are you vacillating between loving God and loving this present world? Today, offer yourself to God all you have or hope to be and let him multiply it beyond your wildest expectations!

The Table of the Lord

BENEDICTION Amazing Grace