A Study Of John 6:1-15
A study of John 6:1-15 reveals a Jesus spiritual fan base rather than genuine followers, two responses when God tests you, and a small offering in the hands of God yields big results.
A study of John 6:1-15 reveals a Jesus spiritual fan base rather than genuine followers.
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… (ESV, John 6:1-2a)
The feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels. It occurred near the time of the Jewish passover. Jesus and his disciples had retreated to the east side of the Sea of Galilee. The Greek word for “mountain” is ŏrŏs, which means mountain and hill. But can also indicate hill country or high ground. In his gospel account, Mark (Mark 6:32) calls it a “desolate or solitary place.” Jesus and the disciples were sitting on the ground together as Jesus prepared for a teacher and disciples training session.
Jesus notices a crowd approaching in the distance. And John comments on why the crowd was pursuing him.
Because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. (ESV, John 6:2b)
In other words, they weren’t genuine followers. But fans. Not disciples seeking to grow in faith. But an audience desiring entertainment. A show. And we see a similar motivation today as well. People that attend a church worship service for its polished presentation. The compelling groove of upbeat music. A choregraphed worship team. Dazzling lights. And a positive, spiritual Ted Talk.
But Jesus also recognized something else. They were in a remote setting. And soon the eager crowd would also be hungry. Then what?
A study of John 6:1-15 reveals two responses when God tests you.
Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat? (ESV, John 6:5) There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” (ESV, John 6:9)
So, Jesus turns to his disciple Phillip and asks where they can get food for the crowd. Why Phillip? Because Philip was from Bethsaida, a local town in the region. if anyone knew all the fine food establishments, he would. But Phillip responded with the pragmatic honesty of an empty glass. There was no food source anywhere close and even if there was two hundred denarii wouldn’t cover the cost for the crowd headed their way. An amount that equaled six months wages.
The disciple Nathan was also from Bethsaida. And his better idea was a boy willing to share his meal of five barley loaves and two small fish. Nathan admitted it was a futile suggestion. So, you wonder why he brought it up. Maybe to sound positive? Yes, it was meager and woefully inadequate. But it was at least something.
Barley loaves were the cheapest bread you could buy. And the Greek word for fish is ŏpsariŏn, which means a small fish like sardines. Likely, not fresh, but dried and salted for preservation. A poor person meal. And Phillip and Nathan offer two different ways to respond when God tests us. Throw up our hands in complete surrender. Or offer to Jesus the resources we have and trust his leading.
That one small meal was all Jesus needed to work with. And he already knew what he was going to do anyway.
A study of John 6:1-15 reveals a small offering in the hands of God yields big results.
So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. (ESV, John 6:13)
Meals had historical meanings for the Jews. Such as the passover meal recorded in Exodus 12. During their Egyptian captivity, the Jews were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and spread some of its blood on the front door posts so the angel of death passed over their home. Then cook and eat the lamb for their evening meal.
Another account is recorded in Exodus 16. As Israel wandered in the wilderness on their way from Egypt to the promised land. And when they complained of hunger, God delivered manna from heaven on the ground for them to gather every morning. However, there was a restriction. They were limited to gathering only enough for each day. But for this meal, Jesus had them gather the leftovers. Is there something symbolic about a collection of 12 baskets and the 12 tribes of Israel? Or simply that 12 disciples did the collecting?
It’s uncertain what went through the minds of those in the crowd. But one thing is sure. A small amount of faith placed in the hands of God yields big results. The people were aware of the miracle. And that Jesus might be the promised Messiah. But the savior they anticipated was expected to free them from Roman occupation. And they were ready to make Jesus king by force.
So, Jesus quietly slipped away into the hills by himself. Because their expectation was not his mission. Instead, he was about to become the lamb sacrificed for the sins of the world.
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About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.
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