A Study of John's Gospel. Pt. 29 Man cannot, but God certainly can!

Good morning.

Yes, even though there may be unrelenting trouble and turmoil all around us, the believer can have a good morning. The born again believers are victorious in Christ and there is nothing in heaven or earth that can ever separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ. Keep praying for one another that the Lord will have His way in our hearts whether we are living where things are very troubled or whether we live where things are relatively safe. "Seek those things which are above" believer, and you will enjoy a good day in the Lord!

An impossible situation.

John 6:5-7  When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6) And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 7) Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 

Jesus saw a large multitude making their way to where He sat. Our omniscient Lord looked up because His heart was always ready to minister to people's needs. Jesus looked at the throngs of people very attentively. 

Next, Jesus asked Philip a question designed to show the human impossibility of feeding such a large group. He was testing Philip's faith. It was a trial of faith that would show the depth of Philip's faith in Christ. 

At this point in John's gospel, Philip has expressed confidence that he has found the Messiah. He also has witnessed the miracles that John recorded along with miracles recorded in the other 3 gospels. 

Philip was from Bethsaida which was the closest town to where they were located. He knew the local resources and concluded that "two hundred pennyworth"was insufficient to buy enough food for all to take a morsel. That sum of money amounted to about 8 months wages!

Jesus already knew how He was going to feed 5,000 men plus women and children and His deity was going to be displayed. Evening was fast approaching and the disciples even asked Jesus to send the people away so they could find food (Matthew 14:14-16). 

Jesus said the multitude could stay and instructed the disciples to give them food.  The Lord was teaching the disciples a valuable lesson about depending upon the power of God for ministry. 

Man's resources are insufficient. 

John 6:8-9  One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, 9) There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 

Andrew actually canvassed the crowd to determine what food might be readily available to feed the people. He found one young boy who had 5 barley loaves and a couple of fish. Andrew's sober assessment was "What are they among so many?" Jesus commanded that the barley loaves and fish be brought to Him (Matthew 14:18). 

Christ is orderly in all His workings.

John 6:10-11  And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11) And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 

The location by the Sea of Galilee was open and spacious enough to accommodate this large multitude of people. Jesus commanded His disciples to tell the men to sit down on the grass. We also know that Christ had them organized into groups of 50 and 100 for efficient distribution of the food He provided (Mark 6:40). 

The number of men was 5,000 and most believe that if women and children are included, the actual number that Jesus fed would easily be more than 10,000!

As soon as the crowd was seated in an orderly arrangement, Jesus took the loaves and fish and gave thanks to His Father for providing food to sustain the people. Jesus looked up to heaven and blessed and brake the bread (Matthew 14:19).

Jesus blessed the food, then gave the disciples fish and bread to distribute to the entire multitude. 

Contrary to Andrew's assessment of resources that were too insufficient, every person had enough to eat and all were satisfied. "As much as they would" means that every single person satisfied their hunger. 

God's provision is always superabundant!

John 6:12-13  When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13) Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

Jesus was careful not to waste any of the food from this miracle. They began with 5 loaves and 2 fish. After the 10,000 people ate until they were satisfied there were 12 baskets filled with leftovers!

How infinite and vast is our God? His Son, Jesus Christ, fed an enormous multitude of people. Jesus demonstrated a Creator's control over created things. He caused the bread and fish to multiply. This miracle would certainly help strengthen the faith of His disciples. Imagine how they were filled with wonder as each one kept passing out bread and fish and yet they did not run out!

Thoughts to Ponder...

First, nothing is impossible with God. Believer, this is the God we serve. Nothing is impossible with Him! We need to stop and anchor to this truth when we live in troubling times. Our situation, our circumstances or our problems cannot overwhelm God, even though they may overwhelm us. 

Mark 10:27  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 

Second, all the resources available in the world are insufficient to meet our greatest need, which is being born again and being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.  Only infinite God can supply our needs

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Third, God does all things decently and in an orderly fashion (1 Corinthians 14:40). He is working out His purposes for us in our lives and all things work together for good for those who are born again (Romans 8:28). Rather than scrambling around trying to fix things ourselves, we ought to give our cares to Christ and trust that He will do a work in us that needs to be done through our troubles.

God's supply for our needs is always sufficient. In this miracle, Jesus teaches us that we must not squander the supply we have received from God. Whatever your talent is, use it for God's glory. Whatever your spiritual abilities may be, use them for God's glory. Never be idle or slothful about the things of God because that dishonors Him. Don't waste the time, talents and resources that He has blessed us with. We are to be channels of grace to other believers. 

May this account of the feeding of 5,000 bring a great calm into our troubled hearts as we see our Great Shepherd at work caring for His sheep. 

May we remember that we do not have anything that was not given to us by God and may we express our thanks to Him.

May we remember to call upon Him in all things because He is more than able to help those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. May waves of His grace wash over us and help us go out to face each day, no matter what the uncertainties of life may be.

Bob