JOHN 6 October 11, 2016

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Blake McKinney
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1 JOHN 6 October 11, After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Matthew s gospel tells us this retreat occurs after he heard of the beheading of John the Baptist 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Signs and wonders (studylight.org..thanks Bob Gowdy!) o Sign (semeion ) in the New Testament is used of miracles taken as evidence of divine authority. Sometimes it is translated as miracle o Wonders (teras ) translates a Greek word from which the word terror comes. It denotes something unusual that causes the beholder to marvel o A sign appeals to the understanding, a wonder appeals to the imagination. Wonders are usually presented as God's activity o The basic nature of a sign is that it points people to God. Wonders describe God's supernatural activity, a special manifestation of His power Here, John tells us the signs were specifically healing acts We don t see any discussion about them actually making a connection to God or drawing a conclusion about the divinity of Jesus..at this time. Even though multiple signs are witnessed there is no absolute rule on their effect on faith. One can believe something without having faith. Jesus signs are not intended to force one to a saving faith but they sure are stirring up the folks! 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Jesus frequently would separate from the crowd for more intimate teaching time with His disciples John doesn t give us a hard timeline here so we just get a flow without any indication of days or weeks. But new do know that this is early spring.march or April by our calendar since this is the time of Passover o Though some time after this is indefinite, it can be learned from the Synoptics that Herod Antipas had killed John the Baptist (Mark 6:14 29; cf. John 3:24), the disciples had preached throughout Galilee (Mark 6:7 13, 30 31), multitudes of people were curious

2 about Jesus, and Herod Antipas was seeking Jesus (Luke 9:7 9). So the time between the events in John 5 and 6 was probably six months. [bkc] THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 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? 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. This is the second Passover John mentions so we are already entering the third year of His ministry or ae about one year from His crucifixion. Jesus is the one who initiates a concern for the crowd. He knew that people were following from near and far and that they needed food to carry on In Matthew s gospel, the disciples want Jesus to send the crowd away o This is a remote place, and it s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food. 16 Jesus replied, They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. Matt 14:15-16 o Consider how God provided daily bread for the Jews during the exodus. He asks Philip because he is from Bethsaida the nearest town and would be most familiar with the markets. But this is also a great teaching moment for Philip as he bases his answer on the limitations of his own ability. o How often we find ourselves measuring a task based on our ability vs God s providence Ephesians 3:20 (ESV) 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, o Philip reaches a conclusion. 7 Philip answered him, Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little. 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter s brother, said to him, 9 There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many? Andrew comes to Philip s rescue to help Jesus understand the futility of the moment. Andrew want Jesus to come to grips with the circumstances and asks Jesus a rhetorical question. The only correct answer to his question would be you re right send them away we can t feed em

3 10 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. Matthew 14:21 (ESV) 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. It s been estimated that there were at least 10,000 mouths to feed. 11 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. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost. 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. Where s the detail John? The play by paly would have been interesting. o Are they multiplying right before their eyes loaves new fish new baskets. And we re not talking light appetizers here because it says they ate as much as they wanted. Ever watch the folks at a buffet? And what about the boy who had the original basket? The conversation might have gone like this; o Jesus: Son, can I borrow your basket for a sec? o Boy I don t know about that. Mom gave it me to carry so we would have lunch. She s going to be really mad if I just give it away...and to STRANGERS. I ll get the spoon for sure. o Jesus Trust me. Your mom will understand. Please, the basket. Now, son, take a seat and I will show you what I can do with your groceries. Oh, I ll have a little something for you when I finish. o The little boy squealed with delight as he watched his loaves and fishes feed so many. All he could say was Awesome! By the way, mom understood. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world! 15 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 responses to this sign was interesting. What exactly did John believe they observed.

4 He recorded that they identified as the Prophet (KJV uses that Prophet). An article indicating the uniqueness of Jesus. o Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers it is to him you shall listen This marks the highpoint of Jesus popularity and a great temptation for Him. Could He have the kingdom without the Cross? No. Jesus kingdom would be given to Him by the Father (cf. Ps. 2:7 12; Dan. 7:13 14). It will not come from this world. [BKC] Jesus wasn t interested in filled stomachs but filled hearts. This crowd recognized something but did not yet grasp Jesus as Messiah. Probably many were waving branches when He rode into town on a donkey..and many were in the crowd demanding His crucifixion. Walking On Water 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. Why Capernaum? How did they know to go or where to go? o Mark 6:45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. Bethsaida is a town but also believed to be a greater region explains the different destinations between John and Mark. The elements. Dark, strong winds, rough waters, on their own (Not all were fishermen) They were well off shore.three or four miles.deep water (8 x 13 miles..max depth 141 feet (Lake Norman max depth is 150 feet) 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. Matthew 14:22 36 (ESV) 28 And Peter answered him, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. 29 He said, Come. So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, Lord, save me. 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, Truly you are the Son of God.

5 20 But he said to them, It is I; do not be afraid. 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. Why the theatrics? The disciples did not yet full understand the power of feeding the five thousand. Mark s gospel says; And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:51-52 Matthew writes of a declaration made by the disciples still in the boat about Jesus being the Son of God. One would think the loaves and fishes event would have been sufficient proof. The story is a favorite with applications for a call to stronger faith, fearless faith and an appreciation for the deity of Jesus not confined by the physical. And of Jesus intervening at the darkest hour.to calm and rescue 22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.

There s Always Enough Providence United Methodist Church Message by DD Adams July 26, 2015

There s Always Enough Providence United Methodist Church Message by DD Adams July 26, 2015 Today s gospel lesson is taken from the book of John, chapter 6, verses 1 through 21. I ll be reading from The