Old Testament Imagery in the Feeding of the 5,000

Significance of Mountains

Many times the location of events in the Bible can hold significance. What is the geography of the location we are looking at tonight? Mountains.

What is so significant about mountains in the Bible? Most of the time when we see God meet with his people it revolves around a mountain. Some OT examples of encounters around mountains are:

Garden of Eden: Genesis 2:10

Look at the symbolism in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were in an exalted state up on the mountain with God, but when they sinned they were cast out and made low (put off the mountain).

Noah’s Ark: Genesis 8

Abraham going to sacrifice Isaac: Genesis 22

Moses: Exodus 19

So from the get go we see the significance of mountains and you continue to see it in the NT all the way through Revelation.

Mountains in scripture can be symbolic of how God’s ways are higher than ours.

If we are to meet God on the mountain, we must come under His terms under the blood of Christ.

More reasons on why a mountain. Awe inspiring. The highness and lowness of us is represented.

Here in tonight’s passage where do these people hear from Jesus? On the mountain. Was this by accident? No, Jesus knew fully well what he was doing. Jesus led the people up the mountain to have a God encounter. We will never be able to come to God on the mountain unless Jesus leads you there. Garden of Eden, God placed them their and cast them out. Noah’s Ark, God led him and his family to build the ark and God let it come to rest on the ark. Abraham takes Isaac up the mountain after hearing from God. God calls Moses up on the mountain.

God is found in the big and small details.

The depth and detail of Scripture leaves me in awe.

When we read the word of God we are hearing from the mountain of God. His ways are higher than ours.

We also should follow a practice Jesus followed regularly while doing his earthly ministry.

Withdraw to the mountain by yourself.

Take time to read the Bible in the peacefulness of solitude.

Significance of the Passover

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Passover

PASSOVER (פִּסְחָא, pischa'; פֶּסַח, pesach; Πάσχα, Pascha). A sacred observance in Judaism that commemorates the climactic 10th plague in the book of Exodus, when Yahweh punishes Egypt by killing all the firstborn but “passes over” (פָּסַח, pasach) the firstborn of Israel (Exod 12:12–13), resulting in the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Exod 12:14–17)

What is the time of year for this passage? Verse 4 informs us this passage took place at the time of Passover.

What do you know about the Passover? It is the festival that remembers the tenth plague in Egypt. It was the killing of the firstborn, but the Israelites firstborn would be passed over if they smeared the blood of a male one year old lamb without blemish. After this plague what happens? Pharoah lets the people go. And the Exodus begins.

So in our passage did John just mention this for no reason? Like everything the details all have importance. One who is the ultimate passover lamb? 1 Corinthians 5:7 makes it clear Jesus is our Passover lamb that makes it possible for us to go up the mountain of God. What miracle does Jesus do in this passage? He feeds the 5,000 despite not having the physical earthly means to do so. When the Israelites were wondering around in the wilderness did they have an earthly way to meet all the food needs? No. Did God provide? Yes. Exodus 16:1-8 talks of how God blessed them with manna from heaven daily. This symbolism is further made stronger when we read later on in John 6:58 and Jesus talks about how he is the bread of life and greater than the manna.

Jesus is our Passover Lamb.

The blood of Jesus Christ causes the wrath of God to pass us over.

In tonight's passage did anyone go hungry? No, they ate to their full and their was still plenty left. God called the Israelites to the desert. Jesus led these people to the wilderness. In any of these scenarios did God abandon or forsake his people? No. In this life God is going to lead you through deserts and wilderness. And He is not going to lead you out there and take off running and be like good luck out here. God is going to provide for your needs. Don’t limit God by saying how he will do so, trust in Him.

God will not lead you into the wilderness or desert to abandon you, but will provide for you where He leads you.

Jewish Expectations for the Messiah

Why did these people follow Jesus to the mountain side? They saw him performing signs by healing the sick. Many of them were wanting to be set free from the bondage of sickness. Why would you say the people followed Moses? They saw signs and wanted to be free from slavery (bondage). When they get in the wilderness we see there faith was not strong. Golden calf and then not trusting God to take them into the promise land. They saw Moses do these supernatural things and expected all their problems to have “magical” solutions. Just like the people we see here. People know God can do mighty things, but many times people want to see these needs met, but without them having to exercise faith.

Do not put faith in the signs, put your faith in the Sign Giver (God).

So many times people’s faith gets put in the signs rather than the sign Giver. Did the Israelites in Exodus rebel? yes multiple times. Did the Jews rebel against Jesus? Yes. Why? Because God did not move exactly how they thought was best.

Verse 15 here shows exactly what the Jews were looking for. A king, an earthly king at that. The Jews were looking for a man to come and rule over Israel again and then to make on world government that he would rule peacefully. Many still believe that now, but many are going with a more metaphorical belief of the world will be reformed by Judaism. Since Jesus over 60 people have claimed to be the Messiah.

So what is wrong with this picture? Jewish expectations. Do we go to God with our own preconceived expectations? No God does not mold to what we expect. Humanly we are going to approach Him somewhat is preconceived expectations. So we got to be willing to listen when we come to the word, knowing we might not be right.

Don’t let your expectations be the driving force for your faith.

Let God mold you, do not try to mold God.