Food for Faith
John 6:1-15
At fair we had a dry erase board on the table with the question, “IF THE BIBLE WERE TRUE, WOULD YOU BE A CHRISTIAN?”
I had some great conversations with people about that question. Especially with those who declared they believed it was true.
I asked them why they believed it was true.
Most people admitted they believe or disbelieve based on feelings, faith or personal preferences. But what happens when our opinions collide with the reality of who Jesus actually is?
The thing is, the Bible does declare itself to be the truth and we do have to accept the bible is the True Word of God by faith –
Because without faith there is no salvation – and without faith there is no indwelling of the Holy Spirit – and the Word of God is spiritually discerned.
As we read in 1 Corinthians 2:14
But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
That being said – our faith in the Bible as the True Word of God is not without evidence!
When we consider:
We find more factual support for the trustworthiness of the scriptures than any other written work available to mankind from any era.
And yet some, still, deny its authenticity and its authority.
WHY? Because as we saw last week – it is not a question of evidence – it is a question of morals – where a person chooses to deny the truth because it does not align with their desires.
Where they love the darkness more than they desire to trust the light.
Like the people at fair – we see there can be a disconnect between what people see and hear – and what they believe.
In today’s passage we catch up with Jesus along the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Days before, Jesus had confronted the Jews and Pharisees rebuking them for their lack of faith and declaring with many uncontestable evidence that He was in fact the Son of God, Christ and Messiah.
The prophets declared it – the signs proved it – God the Father declared it – and the Word of God taught it clearly in the scriptures.
Regarding those signs and wonders- Jesus continued to heal people as He travelled and taught the people is well established in scripture.
As well as the fact that not EVERY healing or sign that Jesus did is recorded for us.
What is also made clear is that Jesus performed many healings, signs and wonders during His ministry out of his compassion for people and as indisputable proof to validate His teaching.
The people saw – and many followed.
1. Following the Signs (vv. 1–3)
After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.
John transitions from the legal conflicts in chapter 5 (where the religious leaders sought to kill Jesus for claiming equality with God)
to the open hillsides of Galilee - Where large crowds gathered to be near Him.
“After these things” – John 5:1 declares those events happened around the timing of a feast in Jerusalem- but does not name which one.
John 6:4 tells us the events we are studying now preceded the Passover which was coming up.
One of the joys of reading the gospels as a “harmony” is to see more details of the tapestry of Jesus’ life woven together by the Gospel writers.
The Ministry and the Following of Jesus of Nazareth was growing- WHY?
Let’s talk about Superficial Attraction vs. Saving Faith (v. 2)
Notice why the crowd followed Him: "because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick."
Remember earlier in John, (John 2:23-25) many believed in His name when seeing signs, but Jesus did not entrust Himself to them because He knew their hearts were not moved by faith – but from a personal desire for gain.
Miracles can produce emotional excitement
without producing a spiritually regenerated heart.
It is a good personal reminder for us all to ask- Are we seeking Jesus for who He is—the Sovereign Lord over our lives—
Or merely for the benefits He can perform for us?
My prayer requests
My comfort
My needs
There is an old joke that goes around about the man whose wife woke him up on Sunday morning telling him it was time to get ready for church.
“I don’t want to go” the man complains. “You have to.” His wife replies. “Why” the man asks. “Because you are the pastor.” She replies.
Why are you at church today? – Because it is the “right” thing to do? For the “social gathering” of people? –
Or to hear from the Word of God and a desire to draw nearer to Him through worship and instruction?
2. The Examination of Faith (vv. 4–9)
4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, *said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”
"The Passover... was near" (v. 4): This detail is the theological backdrop of for the miracle that was coming.
Honoring the Passover recalled national redemption
Think about how nationalism grows in this country in the days leading up to the 4th of July.
For the Jews, The Passover was a time of reflection and anticipation!
Their identity as a people began with the Passover as God called and the people followed.
The Question to Phillip (v. 5)
Jesus was often motivated by compassion for the people.
Empathy is to understand the problem.
Sympathy is to feel emotional concern because of the problem.
Compassion is to understand, feel the concern, and be motivated to do something about the problem.
Scripture records TWO occasions that Jesus fed the multitudes, although there certainly could have been more
Jesus asks Phillip- “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?”
Again, the Harmony of the Gospels gives us more depth – in Luke 9, we read of some of the things that had been going on between John 5 and John 6.
John tells us the feeding of the 5000 occurred to the east of Galilee, in the area of Tiberius. Luke tells us the event occurred more specifically near the town of Bethsaida.
Back in John 1:44 we learned Bethsaida was the hometown of Philip, Andrew, and Peter.
So, Jesus poses the question to the local expert: “Phillip, you are from around here, where are we going to buy bread to feed these people?”
6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.
Jesus was not asking for advise because he did not know what would happen next – but to test His disciples and to demonstrate to them His authority and capacity to provide for their needs.
The Meaning of "Test" (v. 6): The Greek verb for test “ peirazo” has two distinct biblical uses: It can mean to “test” or to “tempt”
Understand what God says when it comes to Temptation and Tests à
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Key Differences
Temptation arises from internal desires and external influence.
Temptation aims to lure people away from God and into disobedience.
Yielding to temptation gives birth to sin, consequences and even death.
Defining the Test
When we encounter the challenging, we are often quick to “count the cost.”
This is what Phillip did-
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.”
Two hundred denarii were equal to nearly 8 months of wages for a laborer.
Philip considered the crowd, counted the cost and concluded it was an impossible thing for the disciples to accomplish.
While Philip counted the cost – Andrew looked for resources!
9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish,”
But even he struggled with the reality of the problem.
“but what are these for so many people?”
Sometimes, our impossible situations offer the best environments for us to put our trust in God.
Whether it is Progress. Protection, Provision, Physical healing or any of the Plethora of Problems that we face – Our God is the God who Provides – If it is His will to do so.
Sometimes our best place is not to overly govern ourselves by Logic – when we are considering God’s Direction.
Until it wasn’t. – Until God did what man could not. And in so doing proved He is worthy of all honor and praise.
Understand this truth- God provides for His people.
Not under the false promises of the “prosperity gospel” which claims God desires to make every believer rich, viewing money and success as clear signs of divine favor.
But providing spiritually, and yes physically, as He wills, to those who love Him.
Small loaves of barley bread and salted, dried fish were staples for the poor and working class of that region.
It is a weakness of our faith—Trying to manage daily crises as if God were absent.
Philip and Andrew did not deny Christ’s authority; they simply failed to consider Christ's power in their immediate problem.
3. The Miraculous Provision: (vv. 10–13)
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. 12 When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
I am reminded of the teaching from 2 Kings 4
There was a severe famine in the land of Gilgal in the days of the prophet Elisha.
God, working through the prophet, caused one jar of oil to fill so many that there was more than enough – an abundance.
Working through the prophet – twenty loaves of barley bread and a few fresh ears of corn fed 100 men.
Or Exodus 16 – Where the Lord provided manna in the wilderness for His people to eat.
See that our God makes a point of working through the impossible to provide for the needs of those who love Him.
And this was the point that Jesus was making to His disciples. That He is able to provide all that we need.
And so, at this point, Jesus steps in. The disciples are convinced there is no way to accomplish the task of feeding so many people.
Theologians agree the counting of the 5000 refers to 5000 MEN – therefore, counting the women and children à the number was actually MUCH higher.
Also, on a subtle note – John points out that there was much grass in that place where Jesus had them sit down – like a green pasture… where Jesus, the Shepherd of Israel, was preparing to feed the flock.
Psalm 23:1–2 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures."
Again, Jesus demonstrates His authority over creation -
– such that none could claim a need to hold the provision tightly to themselves-
Psalm 78:19: The mocking question of Israel in the desert: "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?"
John 6 delivers an unequivocal YES.
Can God take all your hurt, pain, brokenness and doubt – and give you the healing and the strength to feel whole, accepted, loved? YES.
John 10:9-10 “I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
4. Correct Recognition, False Application (v. 14–15)
14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
The crowd rightly identified Him as "the Prophet who is to come" based on Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you...".
But they wrongly attempted to apply this understanding to THEIR expectations – rather than to seek HIS will.
Even if they had to FORCE Him to do so!
Was Jesus the King of kings and the Lord of lords? YES
Psalm 110:1 – The LORD says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
But this was not that time. – This was the time of the favorable year of the Lord!
Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn."
Two Commings- A Dispensational & Eschatological Truth
2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God"
This was the purpose of His First Coming.
Jesus later declared-
John 18:36: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting..."
This – this world – is not His Kingdom – and if you are a disciple of Christ Jesus – It is not yours either.
Christ’s Disciples are citizens of the Kingdom of God – and you and have been allowed to remain here – assigned here – to be Ambassadors of His Kingdom to this land.
2 Corinthians 5:20 "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Removing Himself from the crowds – Jesus withdrew “again” to the mountains.
This was something Jesus did with some regularity – He got away from the noise of the crowds – to spend time alone with His Father.
It is a good lesson for us too. Church community is essential for our Christian growth –
- But be sure to take time/make time to spend with the Lord one-on-one.
As a final note, I do not want to overlook the willingness of the lad in our story.
Five loaves and two fish were all this lad had for food.
To give them up was to consider that he might go without – But he was willing to, nonetheless.
God is not asking you to give what you do not have;
He asks that you place what you do have into His hands.
Trusting Him as needs arise to multiply our time, tithes, and offerings to bless the many.
Because even little is much - when given willingly to the Lord.
Closing Applications
1. For the Believer Under Testing
1) Do not panic or fall into despair.
Stop relying on the human calculation (Philip)
or staring in despair at limited resources (Andrew).
2. For the Seeker or Unbeliever
3. Bow to the Sovereign King on HIS Terms
Let us pray