Persecuton-It is coming!-23
Jesus was pursued and persecuted from early in His earthly ministry. The Jewish leaders knew that He was capable of leading people away from them into following Him. They had too much to lose, or so they thought. They did not give serious consideration to their eternal life, as they were too involved in their short physical lives. Jesus healed a man that not been able to walk for 38 years! So what was their reasons for trying to kill Jesus?
John 5:18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
This clearly indicates that they knew exactly what Jesus was telling them about Himself and their selves. Their Sabbath rules were not from Jehovah, but of their own making.
We now go onto the next sign, wonder, or miracle from Jesus.
John 6:1 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 6:2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. 6:3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.
6:5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?" 6:6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.
Jesus was already drawing large crowds that would follow Him to hear what He had to say and to have loved ones healed. We cannot blame them for seeking healing. Just like with the lame man who had been lame for 38 years! All of us would travel thousands of miles to have a loved one healed.
6:7 Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little."
6:8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, *said to Him, 6:9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?"
The world view of this problem did not really have any solution. In fact, we do not really know what Andrew was thinking either. He may have been just displaying the size of the problem, knowing that this small boy’s lunch was the only food he could find. Remember, barley was the poor man’s grain. Small fish would probably be the size of sardines.
6:10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. 6:12 When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost." 6:13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
To the apostles credit, they did have everyone sit down. They obeyed even when their worldly experience created doubts. We don’t know what it looked like to the apostles, but the food never really stopped coming. Not only that, it came fast enough for the apostles to distribute it to all. Since there were 5000 men, it would be reasonable to add 5000 women and some number of children. This was a miracle that all could see.
6:14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."
What did they mean when they said the Prophet that would come into the world? We need go back to Moses to get the answer.
Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.
What was Moses known for to be able to discern if this Prophet had come?
Moses performed more miracles than any other prophet.
Moses spoke to Jehovah face to face.
Moses delivered the Law.
Moses redeemed them from slavery.
Through Moses, Jehovah provided manna and water.
Jesus said that He was the bread of life and the source of living water.
6:15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
Jesus was in total control of His life and death. He knew the minds of all the people all the time. He also knows our hearts and minds as well.
More next Saturday.