Page 60 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

Jesus rejected the path to the throne taken by most earthly kings. He refused to ride the swell of popular
support into Jerusalem. He knew His path to be the way of suffering, as it had been prophesied for centuries and
planned from the beginning by the father (John 18:36). Moreover, He knew the people had been prompted by
their stomachs rather than their hearts. Jesus chose not to address the crowd and immediately; instead, He
retreated further into the wilderness Hill country.

The Supernatural Sign

17
John 6:16 When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the
sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. Then a high wind
18
19
arose, and the sea began to churn. After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking
on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I. Don’t be
20
afraid!” Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they
21
were heading. The next day, the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea knew there had been only
one boat. [They also knew] that Jesus had not boarded the boat with His disciples, but that His disciples had
23
gone off alone. Some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord gave
thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and
24
went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him,
25
“Rabbi, when did You get here?” Jesus answered, “I assure you: You are looking for Me, not because you
26
saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food that perishes but for
27
the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal
29
28
of approval on Him.” “What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. Jesus replied, “This is
the work of God: that you believe in the One He has sent.”

African Application

Those of us who benefit from 21 -century abundance cannot fully appreciate the perspective
st
of people struggling to survive in 1 century Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. Spending time in
st
developing countries, where one’s next meal is never guaranteed, would help us appreciate
the significance of Jesus’ miraculous provision of food in the wilderness. John emphasizes the
fact that each person received as much as he or she desired, and that the provision of food exceeded their
capacity to eat.

We cannot be too critical of that multitude in the wilderness. They woke up hungry the following morning, just
like each of us will tomorrow. While most had returned to their homes, many searched the hill country on the
north eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee for their newfound provider and leader. But they were disappointed to
discover their meal ticket had departed.

Application: John 6:1 – 28
Miracle Math

First, acknowledge your own inadequacy and the Lord’s omnipotence. Perhaps Philip could
have responded to Jesus’ directive by saying, “Lord, we don’t have the ability to accomplish
what you have asked, but nothing is too difficult for you.” This is not shirking from a challenge
or shirking responsibility. There’s nothing ungodly about acknowledging the size of the challenge. When we only
remember that the Lord’s power is always greater, no matter what difficulty we face.

59