John Chapter 6

Greetings Fam,

Since we did not get to complete our discussion, to expound on John Ch.6, I decided to email you some scriptures that resonated with me and my thoughts on the passage.  

After reading John Ch.6, I realized that a lot of disciples/followers of Jesus, at this time, did not receive Jesus as the Messiah.  Furthermore, Jesus knew their hearts/intentions.

Jesus feeds the 5,000 (Verses 1-15)

Vs. 2 - “….a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick”.

Vs. 4 - "The Jewish Passover Festival was near.”  Jesus fed the 5,000 at time when they were about to begin the passover celebration.  Passover festival where God’s chosen people celebrate their exodus from Egypt (freedom from slavery).  While the Israelites were fleeing Egypt, God provided food from heaven.  Now Jesus is on the scene to provide not just food, but proof that He is the bread of life (freedom from sin). 

Vs. 6 - "He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”  Before He asked, Jesus already knew what to do and what he was capable of accomplishing.  

Vs. 9 -“…... five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”  Jesus did not need much to meet the need of thousands.  This small lunch went a long way and met the needs of the people.  Highlights that God can use what we have to accomplish more than we can ask or think.  God can use what we have to take us all the way. 

Vs. 10-11 - " Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”  These scriptures give me insight into the characteristics of Jesus.  He didn’t just throw things together.  By having the people sit down, the disciples were able to distribute the food more easily and Jesus could see how much was needed to feed all the people.  He was organized and efficient.  Jesus also gave thanks to the Father.  Meaning, He acknowledged God for what He was about to do.  It says He distributed the food to those that were seated.  Which lets me know some people may not have been seated.  So, only the obedient were fed.  And/Or, the disciples were not able to eat while they were serving the people.

Vs. 12 -  “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”  This verse informed me that Jesus did not want His provision to be wasted.  Even the leftovers are valuable.  We should thank God for provision and honor His provision by not letting it go to waste.

Vs. 15 - Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. Again, this informs me that Jesus had a good understanding of the mind of these followers and their intentions.  People, in general, have a way of trying to define others and force them into their idea of who they should be. Luckily, Jesus knew who He was.  He dd not allow people to define Him or control Him.  He knew their intentions, since their intentions were not in alignment with God,  He fled.

Jesus walks in water/Jesus the Bread of Life (Verses 16-59)

So, while the disciples took a boat to Capernaum, Jesus said, “I’m good, I’ll just walk”.  Lol!  He walked on water.  While the disciples were delayed by strong winds, Jesus caught up with them with no problems.  They were in a boat and could only row 3 or 4 miles.  Jesus was on foot and caught up to them.  When he met approached the boat, they were scared.  They didn’t know what to think.  Lol!  I probably would have been scared too.  Like, really.  Who does that? How?  They were so scared, He had to tell them not to be afraid.  Jesus was just cool.  No WORRIES. :)

The verse that really got me was verse 24,  "Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.”  These people wanted to be around Jesus so bad, they waited for a ship, to go over to the other side of the lake, and find Jesus.  Jesus knew these people hearts and minds were misguided.  And He pulled their card in verse 26.  They tried to ask Jesus when He arrived to the other side of the lake and  "Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 

Vs. 29 - Jesus defines the work of God. "Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Vs. 32 -  "Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  This relates to my point above.  They had provision from God in the wilderness, now God provided bread of heaven that gives eternal life = Jesus.  Those who receive Christ will  will be satisfied.  Jesus came to do God’s will.  God’s will was for Jesus to redeem all those who ask and  accept Him

Vs. 33 - Here is where the people started giving Jesus the side eye.  When He said, “I bread that came down from Heaven", they were like hold up.  “Aren’t you the son of Joseph.  We know Your mom and dad, which means we know You.  So, how can you say I came down from heaven?”  Let me remind you, this is after Jesus fed them with 5 loaves of bread and 2 SMALL fish.  Vs. 41-59, Jesus goes on to try to explain how He is the bread from heaven.  The people continued to grumble and challenge Jesus.

Many DISCIPLES  desert Jesus (Verses 60-71)

Vs. 60 - On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[e] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

After so many rejected Jesus, He asked the 12 Disciples if they were going to leave too.  68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

At the end of the passage, is where we learn that one of the disciples was no good and would later betray Jesus.  Jesus was no joke #reallife.

So, that’s most of what I gathered from this week’s passage. Sorry it was long, but Ch.6 is 71 verses.   Feel free to add to it and comment.

Peace, Love, and Blessings