2. The Gospel of John The Life of Jesus as recorded by John The Life of Jesus as recorded by John Crowd, very hungry Crowd, very hungry Week 8, September 24, 2014 Week 8, September 24, 2014 GeneLA@comcast.net GeneLA@comcast.net

3. John 6:1-21: “After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples…” John 6:1-21: “After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples…” Jesus leaves Judea and travels up to Galilee, back near Capernaum and Bethsaida. Jesus leaves Judea and travels up to Galilee, back near Capernaum and Bethsaida. This is near the northern end of the sea of Galilee and it is about 4 miles from Capernaum to the other side of the sea. This is near the northern end of the sea of Galilee and it is about 4 miles from Capernaum to the other side of the sea. Why did these people follow Jesus? Because they saw the signs He was doing. Why did these people follow Jesus? Because they saw the signs He was doing. Why did Jesus go up on the mountain? Perhaps to be alone. Perhaps to delay the confrontation with the Jews. Perhaps to spend more time discussing the deep things with His disciples. Why did Jesus go up on the mountain? Perhaps to be alone. Perhaps to delay the confrontation with the Jews. Perhaps to spend more time discussing the deep things with His disciples. The Gospel of John

4. John 6:1-21: “…Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do…” John 6:1-21: “…Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do…” Jesus was moved for the crowd. His compassion is always present. He knows and sees that they are hungry. He always has time for people. Jesus was moved for the crowd. His compassion is always present. He knows and sees that they are hungry. He always has time for people. One question: Why Philip? One question: Why Philip? Philip was from Bethsaida, so if anyone would know where to get so much food, he would. Philip was from Bethsaida, so if anyone would know where to get so much food, he would. One observation: John after years of thinking, knew later why Jesus had asked this question - to test Philip. One observation: John after years of thinking, knew later why Jesus had asked this question - to test Philip. Sometimes we are also tested. Sometimes we are also tested. The Gospel of John

5. John 6:1-21: “…Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” John 6:1-21: “…Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” 200 denarii was about 200 days wages - possibly $10,000 at minimum wage 200 denarii was about 200 days wages - possibly $10,000 at minimum wage So, how does Philip handle his test? So, how does Philip handle his test? He fails - completely! He fails - completely! To Philip, the situation is hopeless! To Philip, the situation is hopeless! He doesn’t know Jesus very well yet, does he? He doesn’t know Jesus very well yet, does he? “…One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him…” “…One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him…” Note again that Andrew is “Simon Peter’s brother” Note again that Andrew is “Simon Peter’s brother” Unlike Philip, what does Andrew do? Unlike Philip, what does Andrew do? He says “I’ll see what I can do…I’ll let Jesus do the rest” He says “I’ll see what I can do…I’ll let Jesus do the rest” Who are we most like? Who are we most like? The Gospel of John

6. John 6:1-21: “…One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” John 6:1-21: “…One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” In all likelihood, this boy had brought his own lunch along. In all likelihood, this boy had brought his own lunch along. Barley bread was the cheapest bread and was held in contempt, as barley was often fed to animals. Barley bread was very dry. It was the bread of the very poor. Barley bread was the cheapest bread and was held in contempt, as barley was often fed to animals. Barley bread was very dry. It was the bread of the very poor. These small fish were probably closer to pickled sardines than Captain D’s. Pickled fish from the sea of Galilee were known throughout the Roman Empire. Fresh fish was just unheard of unless you caught it and ate it right away. These small fish were probably closer to pickled sardines than Captain D’s. Pickled fish from the sea of Galilee were known throughout the Roman Empire. Fresh fish was just unheard of unless you caught it and ate it right away. This is what Andrew finds - which isn’t much - and even Andrew wonders how they are going to be of help. This is what Andrew finds - which isn’t much - and even Andrew wonders how they are going to be of help. The Gospel of John

7. John 6:1-21: “…Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks…” John 6:1-21: “…Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks…” 5000 people is a large group! 5000 people is a large group! At least there was a lot of grass. At least there was a lot of grass. Lesson here…even if all you have is pickled fish and barley bread … GIVE THANKS Lesson here…even if all you have is pickled fish and barley bread … GIVE THANKS Whatever life dishes out, find a way to be thankful Whatever life dishes out, find a way to be thankful “…He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled…” “…He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled…” Greek here is the word used for feeding animals with fodder. The image here is that this group was stuffed, they were completely sated. They couldn’t eat any more! Greek here is the word used for feeding animals with fodder. The image here is that this group was stuffed, they were completely sated. They couldn’t eat any more! “…He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten…” “…He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten…” These baskets were probably bottle shaped baskets most Jews carried. 12? Perhaps these are the baskets of each disciple. They collected the leftovers and may have kept them for later. These baskets were probably bottle shaped baskets most Jews carried. 12? Perhaps these are the baskets of each disciple. They collected the leftovers and may have kept them for later. Pickled fish and barley bread leftovers - Remember … be thankful! Pickled fish and barley bread leftovers - Remember … be thankful! The Gospel of John

8. John 6:1-21: “…Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” John 6:1-21: “…Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” These people had seen Jesus heal those with disease and now He had fed them from next to nothing. They seem to believe He is the prophet of which Moses spoke. These people had seen Jesus heal those with disease and now He had fed them from next to nothing. They seem to believe He is the prophet of which Moses spoke. Their entire lives they had been waiting and hoping for the deliverer. Their entire lives they had been waiting and hoping for the deliverer. Yet, it would not be long before another mob would be shouting “Crucify Him” Yet, it would not be long before another mob would be shouting “Crucify Him” Sometimes, we humans are a rather fickle lot. Sometimes, we humans are a rather fickle lot. “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” It was not yet time and the type of king they were wanting Him to be was not the plan. It was not yet time and the type of king they were wanting Him to be was not the plan. So, Jesus goes up into the mountains to be alone. So, Jesus goes up into the mountains to be alone. And leaves His disciples behind. Even Jesus needed some time alone. And leaves His disciples behind. Even Jesus needed some time alone. The Gospel of John

9. John 6:1-21: “…Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them…” John 6:1-21: “…Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them…” Jesus was not back yet, but it seems they had intended to go back to Capernaum, about 4 miles away across the sea. So, they get in their boat and start across. Jesus was not back yet, but it seems they had intended to go back to Capernaum, about 4 miles away across the sea. So, they get in their boat and start across. “Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing…” “Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing…” Even though a small body of water, storms can arise rather quickly, and the disciples get caught in one here. The wind appears to be blowing against their direction of travel, making it difficult to get across. Even though a small body of water, storms can arise rather quickly, and the disciples get caught in one here. The wind appears to be blowing against their direction of travel, making it difficult to get across. “So when they had rowed about three or four miles..” “So when they had rowed about three or four miles..” They are almost but not quite across They are almost but not quite across The Gospel of John

10. John 6:1-21: “…they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid…” John 6:1-21: “…they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid…” Of course. You and I would have been too. Of course. You and I would have been too. “… But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” “… But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” So, what to learn from this last portion? So, what to learn from this last portion? 1) Jesus watches 1) Jesus watches Possibly, Jesus had been up in the hills and had been “keeping an eye” on the disciples in addition to his mediation and prayer. Even in his quiet time, they were on his heart. Possibly, Jesus had been up in the hills and had been “keeping an eye” on the disciples in addition to his mediation and prayer. Even in his quiet time, they were on his heart. 2) Jesus comes 2) Jesus comes Jesus came down from the hillsides to enable the disciples to get to their destination. He does not watch us from some grandstand as a bystander. Just when strength and hope are about gone, when life is too much for us, He comes and with Him comes the strength we need that leads to victory. Jesus came down from the hillsides to enable the disciples to get to their destination. He does not watch us from some grandstand as a bystander. Just when strength and hope are about gone, when life is too much for us, He comes and with Him comes the strength we need that leads to victory. The Gospel of John

11. John 6:1-21: “…Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. John 6:1-21: “…Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. So, what to learn from this last portion? So, what to learn from this last portion? 3) Jesus helps 3) Jesus helps He watches, He comes and He helps. He watches, He comes and He helps. There is nothing the Christian faces alone. No matter what it is, Jesus is watching and is there to help. There is nothing the Christian faces alone. No matter what it is, Jesus is watching and is there to help. 4) Jesus brings us safe to the shore. 4) Jesus brings us safe to the shore. Somehow, when Jesus is nearby, the longest journey is shorter and the hardest battle is easier. Somehow, when Jesus is nearby, the longest journey is shorter and the hardest battle is easier. In this short little story after the feeding of the crowd, we see the wonder of Jesus. In this short little story after the feeding of the crowd, we see the wonder of Jesus. See you next week. See you next week. The Gospel of John