A Study of John's Gospel. Pt. 28

Good morning...

Today, we move into John 6. This chapter begins with two powerful miracles of Jesus and then moves into a long discussion of Christ as the bread of life. The manna that God provided for 40 years to Israel in the Old Testament is shown to be a "type" or picture of Christ & the Word of God. Let us begin with the first paragraph where Jesus feeds 5,000! This is one of the miracles found in all 4 gospels. 

What happened before this miracle?

John 6:1-2  After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. 2  And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

John tells us what happened "after these thing" which refers to the interaction Jesus had with the religious leaders in John 5. (You will see that Matthew and Mark mention things that aren't mentioned in John about "these things") Jesus proceeded to go over the sea of Galilee which was also called the Sea of Tiberias in honor of a Roman emperor. 

The Disciples returned from being sent out by Christ.

Mark 6:12-13  And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13)  And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. 

The pace of ministry was very fast. 

Mark 6:30-32  And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31) And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32) And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. 

Mark and Luke's gospels tells us that Jesus sent the disciples out with power to preach the kingdom of God and that they had returned from preaching filled with joy (Luke 9:1-6). 

In verses 30-32 of Mark 6, we read of the disciples reporting to Jesus all that had happened after He sent them out. Mark records that the pace of ministry had been frenetic. Many people were coming and going and they had not had any spare time, not even to eat a meal.

Jesus tells them to come away from all the fast paced activities to a quiet place to find rest. 

John had been beheaded by Herod. 

Matthew 14:10-12  And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11) And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. 12) And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 

Matthew's gospel tells us that King Herod had John the Baptist beheaded before the feeding of the 5,000 occurred.

The multitude saw Jesus leave and followed. 

Mark 6:33  And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

The multitude noticed Jesus and His disciples leaving and they ran on foot to get to where Christ was going. Mark tells us the multitude "outwent" Jesus and the disciples. This means that they got to where Jesus was going before the Lord arrived. 

There was a great multitude of people following Jesus at this point and many would say that this was the peak of Christ's ministry. Why were so many people following Jesus? They followed because they had witnessed Jesus healing ministry. 

I remind us that the need for us is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. In this chapter we will see that many of the multitude stopped following Christ because they were not believing on Him. Rather, they sought healing or food from Him. 

The passover observance was at hand.

John 6:3-4  And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. 4) And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

John tells us why there were so many people in Jerusalem. The annual passover was ready to be observed and this corresponds with John the Baptist pointing out Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 

Jesus and his disciples went up into the hills surrounding the sea of Galilee.

Thoughts to Ponder...

There was a lot going on before the feeding of the 5,000. 

• Jesus sent the disciples out 2 x 2.
• The disciples returned from that ministry.
• The pace of activity was frenetic.
• John the Baptist had been killed by Herod.
• Jerusalem was busy with Passover preparations.
• Tens of thousands of Jews made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 
• Many people witnessed the healing done by Christ.

First, John the Baptist was put to death because he confronted King Herod's adultery. This teaches us that there is going to be hostility to the gospel when sin is exposed in people's lives.

Second, the disciples were extremely busy and this reminds us that we can become too busy even in ministry. There are times where believers need to seek solitude and spend time alone with the Lord.

It was after all these things that we looked at where we find Jesus calling the disciples to take a period of rest and reflection.  

Bob