John has provided three signs or miracles so far in his gospel in order to prove to his readers that Jesus is the Son of God and promised Messiah. Jesus’ turning the water into wine (2:1-11), healing of the nobleman’s son (4:46-54), and healing of the paralyzed man (5:1-9) all demonstrated His deity and love for people; however, His next miracle would display His power in a unique way. It is also significant to mention that Jesus’ miracle detailed in John 6:1-14 is the only miracle (besides Jesus’ resurrection) documented in all four gospels.
Although many believe a few months separated the events between John 5 and John 6, John begins to write about one of the most well-known miracles of the Bible. Jesus has gone to the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberius, where He meets with His disciples on the mountain (6:1, 3). Because of the miracles and signs performed by Jesus, a “great multitude followed Him” (6:2). When Jesus sees the multitude which has followed Him, Matthew informs us that Jesus was “moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14); however, a big dilemma arises when Jesus asks Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” (6:5) Actually, this was not a dilemma for Jesus, but He posed this question to Philip to “test him” or to see if Philip had faith in Jesus to feed all who had gathered (6:6a). Jesus already knew how He would feed the thousands of people (6:6b). Philip responds by saying, “Two hundred denarii [eight months wages] worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little” (6:7). Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, adds this comment, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” (6:8-9) From the reaction of both Philip and Andrew, the reader can assume that the crowd is too large to feed; in fact, John writes that there were 5,000 men, which means that there were probably around 20,000 people gathered to see Jesus. Commanding the disciples to seat all the people (6:10), Jesus performs one of the greatest miracles of His ministry, “And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted” (6:11). After everyone had been fed, Jesus commands His disciples to collect the leftovers, which filled twelve baskets (6:12-13). Jesus takes five loaves of bread and two fish to feed about 20,000 people and has some food left over. This is truly amazing!
When the people saw Jesus’ miracle they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world” (6:14), which is an Old Testament reference to Moses’ prediction of a Prophet similar to himself being raised up from Israel (Deuteronomy 18:15). The declaration of the people exposed their desire for a king who would provide all of their needs, but they missed the fact that He was come to save them from sin. They wanted a king who would remove Roman oppression, but not the oppression of sin. “When Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed to the mountain by Himself alone” (6:15). Why did Jesus stop this process? Jesus knew that God’s will was not for Him to be a political savior, but to be a spiritual Savior. A political or military king could only bring temporary deliverance; however, a spiritual Savior could bring people permanent deliverance from the power and penalty of sin.
Which kind of a Savior are you looking for? One who can get you everything you want or One who can give you everything that you need?
Dear God, help me not to worship the miracles, but the One who can perform miracles.
