Seven Signs: Well Fed

(Reflections on the sign of Jesus feeding thousands with just five loaves and two fish found in John 6:1-15. This is part of the Seven Signs series, click here to catch up on other parts in the series.)

Jesus was keen to keep the party going, hence turning the water into wine. Jesus was keen to show that his word was enough to heal, hence healing the official’s son without being in the presence of the boy. Jesus was keen to establish healing that wasn’t confined by man’s expectations, hence healing the man who had been in Bethesda pool for over thirty years.

On this occasion, Jesus displayed His status as the Messiah by doing something even greater than what Moses was able to deliver for the people of Israel. There were episodes with the people out in the wilderness where they often grumbled to Moses about a lack of drink or a lack of food. They would grumble and complain and Moses would pass on those issues to the faithful God who would provide for them. Manna, quail or water, God would come through for the people in miraculous ways despite the faithlessness of the people. That was not the last episode in the history of God’s people where His prophets would be on hand for the miraculous provision of food. Elijah would be on hand for a woman in a time of drought and Elisha would also be able to provide when a group of prophets had a significant food shortage.

On this occasion in the ministry of Jesus, He is not facing a group of grumbling people. He is facing a group of thousands who have seen Him do amazing signs of healing and they’re following Him to the mountainside. It is the Passover festival – another time where a meal signified much where God’s provision was concerned. People took that meal to be reminded of what God delivered them from and how He delivered them miraculously. On this occasion, Jesus was to show clearly to the thousands that He knew all about what it was to make a meal of a situation and what it was to come through for a people who had yet to see Him as a provider.

Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

John 6:5-6 (NLT)

The setup says a lot about Jesus. The question is fascinating – the question is one about provision. Where can we buy bread? Where’s the source? The question is not about if they can afford it. The question is just a matter of where. The question is a testing one and brings out a response from Philip that on the surface is very reasonable. The issue as he sees it is gonna take a lot. More than they have. More than is available. The question seems a bit daft – they don’t have the sort of resources available to provide for this large group. The situation is significant and seemingly beyond their means. You can see those around Jesus somewhat incredulous at the question and shrugging their shoulders wondering what on earth is available to them to meet this massive demand. Andrew’s observation in this situation does not appear to offer a solution. Even this disciple openly wonders how so little can meet the need of so many. Jesus, however, has a different perspective.

Jesus knew what He was going to do. Jesus knew what was about to take place for the glory of His Father and others to see that His claims were worth paying attention to. It is small in the eyes of man. It’s barely enough for the boy who is carrying it around with him. For Jesus, however, this will turn out to be more than enough. It’s worth noting how the first thing to do was to get ready to eat. Organisation and preparation for provision should still go ahead as far as Jesus was concerned.

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.”

John 6:11-12 (NLT)

Only when that happen could He then go on and do what was key to this whole process – something so innocuous that it’s not even drawn out in detail as far as John is concerned. Jesus gave thanks to God. That phrase should humble everyone who has ever dismissed what seemed insignificant to them. What can we possibly do with something so little? How is this going to make a difference to something so large? All Jesus does is thank God for what He has and then get on with the job of distributing. This Jesus, who brought about the abundance of wine to keep the wedding celebration going well. This Jesus, who brought an abundance of joy for the official’s household as they witnessed the healing power of God for his son. This Jesus was now bringing such an abundance of provision for those who hungered that they could eat until they were full. They could eat to their heart’s content. They could enjoy this sumptuous and wondrous supply without having to scrimp and scrape. Such was an abundance of the provision that from five loaves were collected 12 baskets full of remains.

A note here as well in terms of Jesus’ concern that what was collected wouldn’t be wasted. It saddens and sickens me in a world where claims are made about shortages and famine that a great deal of waste is taking place. Waste of resources, waste of time and even more tragically the waste of lives. Piles of food mountains that have to be destroyed due to the edicts of men and in the same breath suggest that there’s not enough to feed everyone and that some will have to go hungry. What is that saying to the God who is able to abundantly provide? What mockery is that making to the God who has created such a diverse eco-structure that is capable of feeding and clothing everyone? This is not the heart of what we’re getting from this episode of Jesus’ signs. It’s still worth taking note that the amazing provision of God does not go to waste and those twelve baskets full of bread would go on to meet the needs of others.

When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

John 6:14-15 (NLT)

The crowds had followed Jesus because of the healing He did. Now they saw Him do this and their reaction shows a lot about their expectations. Moses was a great prophet who provided for the people and delivered them from slavery, now, here was one in that tradition. David was a great king who led the people into an established rule of greatness and now as far as the people was concerned here was one in that tradition. This literally could have been Jesus’ crowning moment. The people were more than eager for this to happen. The people saw their physical needs being met miraculously and assigned to this man the role of the one who would provide their physical and political deliverance. As the religious rulers did not understand and acknowledge who Jesus was in the healing of the man at Bethesda pool, so now the people did not understand and acknowledge who Jesus was on this occasion.

The challenge for us reading this episode is whether we will get caught up expecting Jesus to meet our desires for Him. Will we go about shaping Him in our own image, or will we open our eyes to see the one that we should be placing ongoing in? Will we allow Him to open our eyes to see more than a man who can give us bread and fish, but the one who is the Bread from Heaven?

---

Questions based on Jesus feeding thousands with five loaves and two fishes

• What does this episode tell you about Jesus?
• What do you learn from Jesus testing Philip?
• Why is it important that we know that Jesus gave thanks, how can that help your life following Jesus?
• What’s the difference between seeing Jesus as a Provider and making demads on Him as though He’s a cash machine? Why is that difference important today?
• What is the significance of Jesus withdrawing to the mountans by Himself rather than taking on the crowds wanting to make him king?
• How can you encourage someone struggling in their faith in Jesus based on this episode?
• How is Jesus revealed as the Son of God worth believing in?

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden