Dear Friends,
We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. We give thanks to our Associate Lecturer, Rev Richard Giesken, for writing this devotional. You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
JOHN 6:1-15
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
6 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10 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.
12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
As I read this passage, I am intrigued by the “great crowd of people” following Jesus. They seem to do so because of the miraculous healings that Jesus performed. John tells us as much in verse 2. I feel a bit indignant that they were just following Jesus because of what he could do for them. They were not there because they loved him or desired to worship him; they were there because he healed the sick. I wish they could know Jesus like I do.
We are not told specifically that they were there to be healed, or simply to spectate the incredible power of Jesus. But we are told that Jesus was aware of their deep hunger, and so he turns to Philip and asks him how they are going to feed this great crowd. Philip made a quick calculation: 5,000 people at $15 each would cost $75,000 … we don’t have enough!
It is interesting that it is to Philip that Jesus turns. I don’t think it was just because he was nearest to Jesus at the time, but because Philip was open to the mission of God. His first response to Jesus was to call Nathanael to come meet Jesus, despite Nathanael’s distrust of Nazarenes. Later, Philip is the one who acts as a go-between for some Greeks who wish to meet Jesus. Philip seems to crave a deeper revelation and understanding of God (John 14:8). And so, it seems Jesus presents him with an opportunity to discover more. To see beyond the obvious.
I think we all know what happened next. Little was turned into much to provide for those who were in need. It reminds me of the words of James Hudson Taylor who said, “God’s work done in God’s way will not lack God’s provision.”
There is so much going on in this passage it is hard to focus on any one aspect without considering the others. Not least is the fact that John does not use the word miracle, but “sign” to describe what is happening. For John, the spectacular is not the focus, but simply points to the much deeper truth of the God who presences himself among us, heals the deep wounds that sin has left on our collective souls, and invites us into his mission and kingdom.
I am not sure that I am so different to the crowds coming to Jesus for their needs to be met. But it is in him that I find the centre of my identity and satisfaction for my deepest longings, so that I want for no good thing. It is not always easy, and I am often distracted. Many times I rely on my own ability and resources, and occasionally I try to press Jesus into being King in more worldly ways than I ought. But I am reminded that his kingdom does not follow the pattern of human power and domination. I wish the crowd new the way of the kindness and generosity of Jesus - giving rather than taking, serving rather than demanding, emptying rather than clamouring for fulfilment.
We may not think that we have much, but as we share what we do have, what we do know about Jesus, we discover an abundance that satisfies.
PRAYER
Lord, we desire to move beyond superficiality that focuses on what we don’t have. Lead us to that place where there is plenty of grass to sit and enjoy the feast that you prepare for us. And as we share it with others, our prayer is that they too will see beyond the sign to the Way that leads to Life - Jesus. May we grow more deeply in your will, finding our identity and fulfilment in your kingdom. Amen.