Crowds flocked to hear Jesus and see Him perform miracles. Some time after His encounter with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Jesus was preaching in Galilee. The crowd that gathered to hear Jesus preach is described as numbering five thousand. However, historians and Bible scholars have noted that this number only includes the men that were present. If one were to include the women and children who also came to hear Jesus speak, the number of people would have been over twice as high. To put this number into perspective, Jerusalem – as the largest city in Judea at the time – had a total population of roughly 25,000. Imagine the scene that the disciples would have witnessed: an ocean of people as far as the eye could see all gathered to hear the words of Jesus!
Which makes Jesus’ nonchalant question to Philip all the more humorous: “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” Philip and the disciples must have looked at Jesus with disbelief. How could they possibly gather enough food to feed this hungry crowd? Jesus’ calm confidence in the power and provision of His Heavenly Father contrasted with the anxiousness and doubt of the disciples. Yet there was one person in the crowd who had faith that God would provide: a young boy who offered his lunch of five loaves and two fish to Jesus. Faith is seeing beyond our present circumstances and trusting in the power and wisdom of our Heavenly Father who is sovereign over our situations and sees much farther than we do. And so with these five loaves and three fish, Jesus multiplies them and miraculously feeds the crowd, demonstrating His divinity and that His power and authority to perform such a miracle came from the Father.
The disciples did not seem to fully grasp this lesson while they were sailing through a storm later that night. They were terrified, and even more so when they saw Jesus walking on the water. Yet Jesus invited them to not focus on their circumstances, but to focus on who He is: “It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew’s account of this episode emphasized Peter’s response to Jesus. Peter steps out of the boat in faith. As long as Peter looked to Jesus, he could walk on the water and approach him. But the moment his eyes focused on the storm around them, Peter began to sink. Jesus lovingly rescues him and together they return to the boat. At that moment, the storm ceased. When we invite Jesus into our circumstances and by faith in His wisdom and authority allow Him to take control, He will transform them for His higher purposes and for our good.
Meanwhile, the crowd realized that Jesus and the disciples had gone to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. But Jesus knew what was in the hearts of many in the crowd. In verse 15, John reveals that the crowd wanted to proclaim Jesus as king, but of their own political kingdom that they hoped would overthrow Roman rule. This is why Jesus sought to distance Himself from the crowd. The crowd chased after the miracles and saw Jesus as a means to their own ends, rather as the Lord and God of the Universe who is to be worshipped and obeyed. Jesus addresses the crowd and points to their limited perspective on the significance of His ministry and why He came to this Earth. In verse 27, Jesus identifies that they must pursue no earthly kingdom, but to set their sights on Him as the Bread of Life who promises and eternal kingdom that will always satisfy:
“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
Read the passage prayerfully a few times over and then answer the questions:
Questions:
- What do you think is the significance of Jesus’ miracle in feeding the five thousand? (v. 1-14 cf. Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17)
- What lessons on faith and trust can you take away from the disciples’ encounter with Jesus in the storm? (v. 15-21 cf. Matthew 14: 22-34; Mark 6:45-53)
- What did Jesus mean when He described Himself as the Bread of Life? (v. 22-40)
Application:
- What are some things that you think will satisfy you, but do not? How can you develop a hunger for Christ’s Heavenly Kingdom?
- In what ways or situation is God calling to you step out in faith? How will you trust and obey Him?
Conclusion & Heart Prayer:
Lord, what are You saying to me? And what are You calling me to do about it?
