READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l We are now halfway through Lent and studying the fourth miracle (sign) pointing us to the true identity of Jesus. John is less direct than the other three Gospel writers, hinting at the Divinity of Jesus without being explicit. In the previous three miracles, Jesus has done things that only God can do: transforming, restoring life to the dead and healing.
Victor Wilson, in his book Divine Symmetries, explains how all seven signs point to Jesus and this miracle meal provided for 5,000 witnesses is the sacramental meal at the centre of it all!
From John chapter 5 onwards (the last two years of Jesus’ life), Jesus is shown to be setting up His own trial. John tells how people, including ourselves, can be blind to the mighty works of God and instead just look at man-made structures like Sabbath laws. The 5,000 Jewish men plus many women and children who witnessed this miraculous fourth sign were preparing for the upcoming Passover. Their thoughts would have turned to the miracles of Moses such as the 10 plagues visited upon Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna for 40 years in the desert. They would have been mindful of Moses as the deliverer and God as the provider. The ‘feeding of the five thousand’ miracle is the only one recorded by every Gospel writer, making it significant. John relates this amazing event with remarkably little drama, pointing us to Jesus as compassionate and the initiator of providence for all people. John reveals how Jesus challenged his disciples to care for the last, least and lost! Humanly, we may not feel adequate in terms of time or money to do much but Jesus can work miracles with anyone who trusts and surrenders their five loaves and two fishes to Him!
As people began to recognise Jesus as a powerful Prophet, He withdrew from them, knowing that they just wanted Him for what He could do for them (make him King by force).
So what is John trying to tell us from chapter 6?
Jesus is the new Moses—deliverer, provider and heavenly (eternal) King! John intentionally structures his text in parallel with Numbers 11. This provides a growing impression that Moses has now been superseded by Jesus, who not only provides the bread from heaven but is Himself the bread of life (6:35).
Jesus is God; He has the ability to transform, give life and heal.
Jesus is the way to remedy/reverse our sin condition. As long as sin is in place, we are subject to the law of sin and death (Rom 6:23). But Jesus can transform, heal and resurrect.
A new era is coming: Jesus is bringing people back to the Garden of Eden! John uses garden imagery to compare Eden with Gethsemane and follows the creation theme right from the first words of his Gospel. “In the beginning” mirrors the words from Gen 1:1. God finished his work on the seventh day and Jesus finishes his work at the cross.
The only way to eternal life is to “feast” on Jesus, who is the Bread of Life, and this is what this miracle is all about! Adam lost eternity through eating and sin entered the world.
Jesus, the new Adam, reverses sin by offering Himself to us to eat as the Bread of Life. Jesus is the manna to sustain and fully satisfy (12 baskets remaining). Feasting on Jesus is the only way!
(Sermon notes by Frances Lim)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture – Read John 6:1-13 and Numbers 11. What are some similarities in the two passages? (Hint: focus on the complains and grumblings of the people and what was provided and by who). What do you think John is trying to draw the readers to infer about Jesus? Read John 6:14-15 – What is John saying about the type of kingship they intend for Jesus to be vs Jesus’ intent? [ie: earthly king vs heavenly eternal king]
- Recall Sermon – What is John trying to tell everyone about Jesus through this sign? What is John trying to say about Jesus through the way He listed the signs? Who is Jesus and what does God intend for Jesus to do in the larger context of the seven signs?
- Relate Personally – What does the ability to “feast” mean for us culturally? How does the concept of “eating until we have enough” (v12) mean for a blessed life? How can you relate that to what God’s providence (Jesus) is? Is Jesus enough for us?
- Commit to Action – Jesus had compassion on the 5,000 and fed them. John is trying to say that Jesus is the ultimate provider for those who would “feast” in Him. What areas of your life do you need to “surrender” to allow God to multiply? What are your five loaves and two fishes that you can bring before God?
