Class Lesson October 30, 2011

Hey Gang,

This is our final lesson on the miracles of Jesus and it's a familiar one in the feeding of the 5,000. This miracle is recorded in all four gospels and we will be studying John chapter 6.



How do you know when you’re hungry? What do you do about it? 

How do you know when you're spiritually hungry? What do spiritual pains feel like? How do people try to satisfy spiritual hunger? Are any of these ways like a candy-bar fix that masks the hunger without satisfying the need for true nourishment?

We are told to look to Jesus continually to satisfy our spiritual hunger.

Summary

Awed by Jesus’ miracles, many people followed Him. Some of these were not true followers but people hoping that Jesus would become their king. When a huge number showed up, Jesus asked the Twelve how they could feed so many with their scant provisions. Andrew brought a boy with his lunch to Jesus. Jesus miraculously provided enough food to feed the multitude. He then had to thwart an attempt to make Him their king. When the multitude followed Jesus around the lake, He told them that He was the Bread of life, who alone could provide food for spiritual nourishment. Jesus spoke of their need to believe in Him, which included letting Him be Lord, and not projecting on Him their hopes of an earthly messiah. But they persisted in their unbelief.

Background of the Miracle

“Feeding the 5000″ is the only miracle recorded by all four gospels. Disciples came from their mission, they were tired and hungry, did not have time to eat. They needed rest. Jesus just heard about the death of John the Baptist (Mat 14:13). Jesus wanted all of them to withdraw from the crowd so that they can have some rest. They headed to Bethesda, by boat to discourage crowd from following them. Bethesda – meaning “Fisherman’s house”, it was home of Philip, Andrew and Peter. Crowd was all in need, physical, emotional, spiritual. They sought teaching and healing, they were already gathered at the place, before Jesus arrived. Mark 6:34 says that he had compassion on them because they were life sheep without shepherd.


I. JESUS PROVIDES – JOHN 6:5-13

5 Therefore, when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward Him, He asked Philip, "Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?" 6 He asked this to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do. 7 Philip answered, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn't be enough for each of them to have a little." 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 9 "There's a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?" 10 Then Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were seated - so also with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were full, He told His disciples, "Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted." 13 So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.


At this point in Jesus’ ministry, His popularity was growing by leaps and bounds. Mark’s account of this miracle states that so many people were following Jesus and the disciples that they didn’t even have time to eat!



Verses 1-3 tell us that a multitude follows Jesus across the Sea of Galilee

• John records many events and details that are not recorded by the other writers, but the feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle (other than those associated with His death and resurrection) that is recorded by all four writers.
• However, they were unable to rest, because the people, having seen the signs or miracles He had accomplished, were determined to follow them. Mark adds that Jesus viewed them as sheep without a shepherd, so He taught them.

Verses 4-6 tell us that the multitude needs to eat



What question did Jesus ask Philip? Why did Jesus ask this question?

• Jesus questioned Philip as to where they could buy bread to feed so many people. But actually he was just testing Philip. Jesus already had a plan how He intended to feed the people. How was this question a test? Perhaps the purpose was simply to challenge them to think about the magnitude of the task, so that they would be even more impressed by what Jesus was about to do. Jesus often asked questions, not for the purpose of obtaining information, but to make a point.
• Did they realize yet what all Jesus could do? Do we?

Verses 6-7 tell us that Philip and Andrew discuss the problem of providing food for the people



What answer did Philip give? (Think: What does this show?)

• Philip said that they could not feed that multitude with 200 denarii worth of bread, if everyone was to have a little. A denarius is thought to be the typical wage for one day’s work. If so, 200 denarii would be a significant amount to spend. Some have suggested that this was all the money that the apostles had among them, yet Philip says it would not be enough to provide everyone with even a little to eat. Matthew’s account says the disciples recommended that Jesus send the people to the villages to buy food. Whatever else this tells us, it shows the huge size of the crowd and the extreme difficulty of feeding so many.
• Our focus is so many times only on the problem and what we can do to fix it. No consideration for the fact that God was in their presence and ours!
  

What food did Andrew say was available?

• Andrew said there was a lad who had five loaves of bread and two fish. But he was convinced this was nothing considering the size of the crowd.
• Once again, John makes sure that we have sufficient details about the miracle to be sure that it could not possibly have occurred by any natural means.

What do we learn from Andrew’s offer?

• We cannot limit what Jesus will do with what we bring to Him. For that reason, we need to make what we have available to Him, even if we think that what we bring to Him doesn’t amount to much at all. When we do, we can count on Him to take it and multiply it for His purpose.
• Jesus expects us to help feed others.

Verses 10-11 tell us that Jesus feeds the people using the boy’s lunch



What do you notice about the arrangements for feeding the people? How many people were fed?

• Jesus had the disciples give Him the food, then He had the people sit on the grass. Other accounts add that they were to sit in groups of 100’s and 50’s.
• He blessed or gave thanks for the food before passing it out. Prayer and thankfulness should be a regular part of our lives, and before meals is an especially good time to be thankful.
• Jesus then distributed to the 12 who in turn gave to the people. Coffman shows there is a symbolic significance in this. What Jesus here did with physical food is what He also did with spiritual food. He is the source of the truth, but it is distributed to the people through his inspired agents.
• We are here told that there were 5000 men present. Other accounts add that this did not count the women and children.
• In addition, we are told that everyone received as much as they wanted. So the miracle did not involve giving each person just a small portion. Their need was met, not minimally, but to the point of complete satisfaction. Such provision for such a huge crowd could not possibly have come from just the food provided in the boy’s lunch.

Verses 12-13 tell that the remnants were gathered


What was done with the remaining food? How much food was left over? What details are given to prove this event was impossible by natural law?

• To further impress on us the greatness of this event, so we will know it could not be possible by natural means, John adds additional details. All the people were given as much as they wanted, and they ate and were filled. It was not the case that some just watched or just ate a little. Everybody ate their fill.
• Then the remnants were gathered, and twelve baskets were taken up. But they had started out with just a few loaves and fishes. After all the people had eaten — 5000 men, not counting women and children — there was far more food left than at the beginning! In fact, the remnants were many times greater than the original amount.
• John makes sure we have sufficient details that we cannot possibly wonder about what happened. There can be no doubt that Jesus multiplied the food many times. He who made the world at Creation, created the plants and animals with the ability to multiply and provide our food. But that takes natural process over considerable time. But here He did the same work in an instant of time, without the benefit of natural law. There is no way to avoid the conclusion that this is impossible by natural means and therefore a great miracle.

Has Jesus ever filled a need in a way you didn’t expect?

• Part of Jesus’ meeting needs is yearning for the right things.
• Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.”
• How can we hunger for what makes life worth living?

The passage says that they were full, but were they satisfied?

• Physical food is not enough to meet people’s spiritual needs.

We’ve discovered in this series of lessons on miracles that Jesus’ miracles were performed for a deeper purpose than just the amazing event. 

 

What do you think was the Lord’s more-than purpose behind physically feeding thousands of hungry people?

• Once again, we see here the purpose of miracles, and John’s purpose is recording the miracles. Miracles demonstrate Jesus’ great power and confirm the truthfulness of His claims that God was with Him. This particular miracle also proves His power to provide for the needs of His people. It shows He believes in being thankful for our food, and it also shows that He did not believe in being wasteful.
• Jesus provides abundantly more than we could imagine physically and spiritually.

II. JESUS SATISFIES – JOHN 6:35-36a




35 "I am the bread of life," Jesus told them. "No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again. 36 But as I told you, you've seen Me, and yet you do not believe.




The crowd Jesus fed was out to make Him king. So He withdrew from them. The next day some of the people tracked Him down and asked for a sign so they could believe in Him, as if the miracle meal wasn’t enough. How did Jesus use their obsession with food to emphasize what they really needed? How did the crowd want a “candy-bar fix” instead of real nourishment?



Jesus as the bread of life – 6:34-36


What is the “bread of life?” Think: How is Jesus like bread?

• Jesus had said that the Father gives bread from heaven and gives life to the world, so the people asked to receive this bread always. They were obviously still thinking in terms of physical or material gain. And they were not satisfied with the one time Jesus fed them. They wanted food all the time!
• Verse 35 is a key verse in understanding the whole discussion. Jesus told them what the bread is that they must eat, and He told how they should partake of it so as to meet their needs. Later in the chapter He spoke again of people eating His flesh and drinking His blood (vv 52-55). Some think that refers to the Lord’s Supper; but when you understand the context it becomes clear that the reference is not primarily to the Lord's Supper.
• What is the bread: Jesus plainly stated, “I am the bread of life” (cf. vv 48,51). And He is not only food, but also drink, for those who partake of Him will never hunger or thirst. We must both eat His flesh and drink His blood (vv 53ff). There can be no successfully denying it: the bread Jesus here refers to is Jesus Himself.
• In what way is Jesus like bread? Compare to vv 27,32,33. The bread of life is that which comes down from God in heaven (like manna — vv 31,32,49) and gives men what is necessary for them to have eternal life (cf. vv 33,40,47,50,51). Physical bread is a gift from God (James 1:17; Matt. 6:11) that provides what is necessary to physical life. Likewise, the bread of life (Jesus) came from God in heaven to provide what we need for spiritual and eternal life.

How do we partake of this bread?

• If we believe in Him and come to Him, we will never hunger or thirst. Hence, we partake of the bread by believing in Him and coming to Him (obeying Him). We eat the bread by becoming Christians and remaining faithful to Him.

The crowd Jesus fed was out to make Him king. So He withdrew from them. The next day some of the people tracked Him down and asked for a sign so they could believe in Him, as if the miracle meal wasn’t enough.



How did Jesus use their obsession with food to emphasize what they really needed? How did the crowd want a “candy-bar fix” instead of real nourishment?

• When Jesus met the people’s physical needs, they still weren’t satisfied. Some people will follow or show interest in Jesus only so He’ll meet their needs, but they will always feel empty. Some people rejected Jesus even after they experienced Him. People who decide not to receive Him will continue to endure the ache of spiritual hunger and thirst.

I Still Haven't Found What I'm looking For

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I think the U2 song speaks to where many of us are today.

JESUS CALLING

You have been called to take a “road less traveled” and it’s called - continual dependence on Me. True confidence comes from knowing you are complete in My Presence. Everything you need has its counterpart in Me. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”


What sad truth did Jesus declare about these people? How is it possible to see Jesus without really seeing Jesus?






III. JESUS SECURES – JOHN 6:37-40



37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me but should raise them up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."


So many times we become fixated just with today's problems as if there is no tomorrow. Jesus has secured you for eternity - do you realize this? 



We must come to Jesus to receive His blessings – 6:37


What promise did Jesus give in verse 37? Explain it.

• We partake of Jesus as the “bread of life” by believing in Him and coming to Him (v35). But some people (such as these Jews) will not come because they do not believe (v36). However, all whom the Father gives to Jesus will come; He will not cast them out but will raise them up.

Does God choose us for salvation or do we choose Him?

• How can “yes” be the correct answer to both questions?
• Look in John 6:44-45, and state both God’s and people’s roles in salvation. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to Me—
• This is not teaching unconditional Calvinistic predestination. The Father has not unconditionally chosen certain individuals, regardless of their character, conduct, or will, and compelled them to accept Jesus regardless of what they want. He has simply declared what kind of person can and cannot come to Jesus.

What do these roles say to Christians about their responsibility in sharing the gospel with others?

• Those who come to Jesus are those whom the Father draws to Him, and these are the ones to be raised up. But how does the Father draw them? He draws them when they hear, learn, and are taught from the Father. Then they must believe. So, it is by the message of the gospel that the Father draws people and gives them to Jesus. God has determined that He wants to give to Jesus the kind of people who are willing to listen, understand, and have obedient faith. Here Jesus implies that these Jews would not be included, because they did not believe in Him.
• Many other passages say that God wants all men to be saved, so Jesus died for all and the gospel is to be preached to all (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4,6; John 3:16; Heb. 2:9; Mark. 16:15,16; Matt. 28:19). It is this gospel that calls men to Jesus (2 Thess. 2:14). The gospel is the word of eternal life (John 6:63, 68).
• Hence, the Father has chosen to give to Jesus all men who are willing, in response to the gospel, to demonstrate obedient faith. God wants all men to do this and has offered the gospel to all. But the only ones who are given to Jesus are the ones who (by their choice) choose to believe and obey, thereby coming to Him.

Jesus came to do His Father’s will and give eternal life to those who believe –6:38-40


Where did Jesus come from, and for what purpose did He come?


What was the Father’s will for Jesus, and what was His will for those who believe in Him?

• Jesus had not come to do His own will, but the will of the Father. This does not imply that their wills would otherwise conflict and differ. Jesus possessed Deity, so He and the Father and the Holy Spirit are in complete agreement in all things. But on earth Jesus was also a man who had come to learn (experience) obedience. He had totally submitted Himself to obey His Father like we must (see notes on 5:19,30)

Jesus is trying every way He can to get the people to see that His purpose here is spiritual and pertains to eternal life and man’s relationship to God. They completely miss the point when they emphasize physical food. And so do all others who fail to understand the spiritual nature of His life, His gospel, and His kingdom.



As a believer, you cannot afford to overlook the fact that people all around us are starving spiritually. What they search for can only be found in a relationship with Christ.




Points:

1. God is sovereign and chooses people to come to Jesus.

2. Human beings must come to Jesus in faith to receive forgiveness of their sins and eternal life in Christ.

3. True security – eternal security – is based on the work of Jesus in not losing anyone who believes in Him and in His keeping whoever believes in Him.

4. Our salvation will not be complete until its climax on the day of resurrection.



When Jesus fed the 5,000 – He met a basic human need – the need for food. Eating a good meal is a satisfying experience – and that meal was all anyone could eat. But many of the people failed to recognize their need for food for their souls. Some wanted to reduce Jesus from Savior to distributor of food. Jesus refused to accept any mission than the one given Him by the Father. In that mission, He meets our deepest needs. He satisfies our spiritual hunger, and He keeps us secure until the day of resurrection.

 




As the bible passages have shown, Jesus Christ alone can satisfy a person’s spiritual hunger. Pray that God would open your eyes to any part of you that is seeking spiritual satisfaction outside of Him.






Well, we've come to an end to this series of the meaning behind some of the miracles of Jesus. I hope you have enjoyed seeking, searching and studying the more-than purpose of each event as the Bible says that those who seek will find God's hidden truths.

See you on Sunday!




In His Love,


David & Susan