John 6:1-7

John 6:1-7

After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee of Tiberias.  And a great crowd was following Him since they were seeing the signs that He was doing upon the ones who are sick.  And Jesus went up into the mountain and there He was sitting down with His disciples.  And it was near Passover, the Feast of the Jews.  Therefore Jesus lifted up the eyes and saw that a great crowd comes to Him.  He says to Philip, “From where should we buy bread in order that these people should eat?”  And he was saying this while testing him, for He Himself had known what He was about to do.  Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii of bread is not sufficient enough for them in order that each should receive a little.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Mark 6:31-34 tells us that this story occurs after Jesus had spent some time around a crowd.  Jesus knows what is coming; therefore He looks to spend a little time alone with His disciples.  He is balancing abiding with bearing fruit.  He will be putting forth a great deal of spiritual effort in a few moments.  Now He is spending a little time recharging His spirit while being with His closest disciples.

Do you have people with whom you spend time while recharging your own spirit?  Who are these people?

Second Thought:

Notice the reason John gives us for the people following Him.  They saw the signs He was performing.  Jesus knows this.  He also knows how this event is going to end.  Yet, Jesus still has sympathy.  He sees the people wandering around in their own lives looking for a show to attend.  He has sympathy on them.

Do the people around you always deserve sympathy?  Does that mean we cannot look upon them with grace love and mercy anyway?

Third Thought:

Jesus turns to Philip and tests him.  This is a neat part of the passage.  Jesus already knows what he is going to do with feeding this multitude.  But he doesn’t want to just do the miracle.  Jesus wants His disciples to learn and see it for what it really is.  He wants them to see beyond the show and into the power of God.  Jesus wants Philip to understand that monetary resources are not the answer to everything.  Sometimes, money isn’t the answer to anything.  Trusting on God’s strength is the answer to everything.

Have you ever seen God’s hand at work?  How does God get your attention in those moments?

Passage for Tomorrow: John 6:8-15