Good morning! Fall is here! Beautiful day Friday and Saturday morning before the bottom dropped out! But it is time. Great weekend with Joseph. Sherri and I took him to the Cider Mill and Jackson's on Saturday. Cider Mill was fun and he loved watching the trucks on Nanticoke Avenue (that's his thing right now); Jackson's was cool and wet as it started raining just as we got there. He had fun anyway!
This morning we read John's version of Feeding of the 5000. See if you can notice differences between John and the synoptics. Philip is from Bethsaida, so he would be familiar with the area and places to buy bread- is this why Jesus specifically asked him (v 5)? Jesus "allows" the disciples to work in the kingdom of God (v 6), even when Jesus knows what He can do. Philip then makes "the comment" that often comes up in church discussions, "Where are we going to get the money to do the work?!" (v 7). When we use money as a stumbling block, are we not thinking of the work God can do through us?
Barley bread was the bread of the poor. It (barley) was often fed to the animals as it was so plain. So, many of these people were probably the poor that had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. I like that it was a small boy that saved the day. God can do amazing things even with small sources of goodness. What does that say to us?
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, "makes them lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:1-2) and takes acre of the people. Jesus gives thanks to God for even the smallest food and the many people are fed. The left overs are gathered and put together in baskets. Twelve baskets- symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel. Jesus is enough for all people.
As the people recognized the miracle, they began to believe in Jesus and fuel their hopes for someone to lead them. They wanted badly for Jesus to be their ruler/king (v 15), but Jesus knew that they were looking for a battle king not a messianic king, so Jesus retreats away from the crowd.
The next story is also familiar to us- Jesus walking on water. Again, try to notice differences in the different gospels. Many of the disciples were fishermen, so they were comfortable being on the water at night (vv 16-17). Jesus was not in the boat with them and a huge storm comes up. It doesn't say that the men were afraid, they were just rowing to get out of the storm and get closer to shore. They were terrified when they saw Jesus walking toward them (v 19). Why were they terrified then and not in the storm? Are we more afraid of the storms or of Jesus walking toward us? Once they recognize Jesus, they take him on board and get to shore. What was the lesson here for the disciples (and for us)?
"The next day" (v 22) the crowd is somewhat confused. They saw the disciples leave in one boat, but didn't see Jesus get on it- yet he wasn't left behind either! They began searching for Jesus, ultimately find him with the disciples and then ask, "How did you get here?" (v 25). Honest question! Jesus then responds with, the only reason you're looking for me is you're hungry (v 26). I'm not sure how Jesus knew that, as there is no indication in the text they said anything about being hungry. Jesus then goes on to talk about how He is the living bread, the bread that will never perish. Jesus says that God's seal ("proof of ownership") is on Jesus. The people ultimately ask what works they need to do to please God (v 28). Do we sometimes ask that, what do we have to do to please God? Jesus responds with the age old comment "It is by faith" (v 29). We still sometimes get hung up on works and faith!
They then ask a question that must really get Jesus angry. Give us a sign so we can believe (v 30)! Didn't Jesus just feed 5000 people from five loaves of barley?! They are asking for Jesus to provide them daily bread as in manna that God sent. Jesus says, I am that daily bread! The people are stuck on earthly things and Jesus is trying to take them to the spiritual level. They were hungry (on both a physical and spiritual and physical level). Food solves all problems, right?! People have to have full bellies before they can have full hearts. How are our bellies? How can we feed those around us that are hungry for spiritual things?
The Jews begin to get angry at Jesus. Their thought was they were selected by God by virtue of their ancestry- and now Jesus is saying that to be "selected" you have to believe in God and God must draw you in(v 44)?! Jesus then goes on comparing Himself (bread of life) to the manna. With manna, you live for a day, with Jesus you live for all time.
Jesus then asks/tells them some "strange" words: Jesus is living bread and to have eternal life one must consume him (v 51). Imagine hearing these words? No wonder the disciples and Jews are confused? And to top it off, Jesus says we need to drink of his blood? What is this crazy talk?! We know what Jesus was saying, but did the original Jews know? Jesus rebukes their "carnal" thoughts and tries to convince the people of spiritual thoughts (vv 60- 65). Do we follow Jesus for "fleshly" motives or spiritual? These had to be tough words for the people to understand. People heard these words about eating flesh and drinking blood and decide to leave (v 66). Jesus turns to the 12 followers and offers them an opportunity to leave also (v 67). Peter then makes a bold statement, "Who else would we follow that offers what you do?" (v 68-69). Peter confirms that they believe Jesus is from God. This is very early in Jesus' ministry (in comparison to the other gospels) for them to acknowledge Jesus' divinity (but that is John's motive). Jesus say they were selected, even Judas. Again- early in Jesus' ministry we hear of a shocking revelation!
This chapter is filled with messianic talk and symbols. A great read and very interestingly different than they synoptics! Enjoy!
Have a great day!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Pastor Paul
wonderful you and Sherri had some joseph time this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all for prayers for my vision problems still struggleing will see eye doctor next week Thursday Hope he has some help for me or it improves by them.
Jesus feeld the multitude with 5 loaves and 2 fish sure sign he is the Messiah and can do wonders but i don't think the people see this for what it was. Next we hear of jesus walking on water the disciples seemd to be more afraid of jesus walking on the water than they were feared of the strom that blew up whild they were in the boat. the crowd couldn't figure out how Jesus got to the other side as tehy didn't see him get in the boat. JKesusntells them they were more c oncerned with whthetr they were getting fed then tehy we concerned wuth how he got to the other side Jesus says he was to tend to the ones that God had sen to him.. i thik this speakes of jesus being the Good Shepherd in this part of the chapter Tending to his flock. I think when Jesus speaks of him being the bread of life and that they should eat of his body and drink of his blood the people did not understand and were very confused as to what this meant I am sure if I had been in that crowd at that time I would not have understood his meaning either somwhat confusing areas in this chaper i thought.
Please forgive typos etc as it is hard for me to read back what I wrote.
The writings of John put Jesus into a messianic position, but like you say, the people don't see that!
DeleteWhen Jesus talks about "eating my body and drinking my blood" this was really contested and was one of the reasons for the persecution of the early church- they were looked at as cannibals!
Hope your eyes and vision get better quickly!
So sorry for your eye problem, Clara. I also have an issue with both my eyes which is very annoying.
ReplyDeleteSo I read this chapter today and have thought about what I think is going on. Here is what I think about it:
Jesus was a Jew for his whole life. He was talking with other Jews, the disciples and other followers. In thinking about the story of the loaves and fishes, the disciples were amazed that the people could be fed. But Jesus starts talking about how HE is the bread from heaven. And that unless they eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,(symbolically in a sacred ceremony) they will not be saved. Now remember this is at the time of Passover and the people hearing this were thinking about the meals (Seders) that happen at Passover and also hearing from Jesus about another type of ritual meal, Christian communion.
This must have been very confusing for them. In a way, it was like Jesus was foretelling what was coming at the Last Supper. The first communion meal.
I can see why these Jewish followers wouldn't know what to think. The Passover Seder would be a remembrance of the liberation of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt- a very sacred meal for the Jews. What Jesus was talking about was talking about was a new idea- the liberation of mankind from sin- eventually a sacred Christian sacrament.
No wonder many left the crowd at this point. How could they understand? Only the 12 disciples stayed probably because they had had time to be taught about Jesus at this point. They understood from Jesus' teachings that he was the Messiah. And they bought into that.
Even at this point Jesus know (foretells) that Judas will be one who betrays him.
We've wondered before if Judas was predestined to betray Jesus. It looks like from Vs. 71 that he was.
Very interesting chapter. So readable and more easy to understand than the other gospels for me.
You bring up a good point that I didn't really think of. It is the Passover, so the Jews were definitely looking and thinking about the Seder. Like I mentioned to Clara, the first Christians were persecuted harshly, especially when they did the ritual of communion. "Drink my blood and eat my body" was heard as cannibalistic ritual!
DeleteGood connection- freedom from slavery- Egypt and sin.
Judas is called out early in Jesus' ministry as the betrayer. I wonder if the disciples really heard this and how did they respond to Judas after that in John's message?
Good thoughts!
Clara prayers that they have some answers for you on Thursday!
ReplyDeleteFirst the feeding of the 5000. of course we as Christians have heard this many times. Vs27 says don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that gives eternal life. That does make sense. It is interesting that some want to see a miracle before they will believe. There are many places especially in the US that feed the masses. In the US we are lucky enough to have places to get food when you are in need. Cathy does this at her library. All are not so lucky yet many continue to have faith.
I can't imagine hearing someone say...eat my flesh and drink my blood you will have eternal life. We know not to take it literally but did they. I suppose some did and didn't.
Don't we all want to see proof that something works before we "buy" into it! People still look for those signs that Jesus is real! Faith.
DeleteFeeding and being fed is such a basic urge. It is hard to do anything else if you don't feel full!
Good comments
What is told about Jesus in the Book of John is something that I would have thought Peter would have told me in 1 and 2 Peter. I love the conversations that Jesus has in chapter 3, 5 and now in 6. I learn so much about Jesus and what he expects from us. I didn't realize that Jesus thought the people were going to "take him by force, to make him a king...." I know that many people WANTED him to be the "King" that would save them from Roman rule (as Moses saved them from the Pharaohs of Egypt), but I didn't realize that Jesus felt this and left them because of it. I think that's why at the end of Chapter 6 His disciples left him - because Jesus was telling them that He was not going to be the King they wanted/expected Him to be. He was going to give them eternal life by eating His flesh and drinking His blood. A very difficult concept for them to understand. But, again, I love the comparisons He makes in the last part of Chapter 6 - for ex. that manna God gave to Moses and his followers would only sustain them for the day, but the break that Jesus had to offer was for eternal life. Jesus does seem to repeat a common theme in his deep conversations in the chapters 3, 5 and now 6. There are quite a few differences in what John tells of the stories that are in the synoptic gospels, but the point is the same! It is what John feels is important to tell. I am liking John - but I do sortof wish we had read the gospels straight through in order, one after the other, so we could see all the differences.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more!
The "triumphant entry" to Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week is where we hear of Jesus being looked at as king in the other gospels. They don't really talk about it as John done- messiahship of Jesus is central to John.
DeleteGood point- the stories and the outcomes are the same in the gospels, it is the in between material and some of the commentary the authors make is interesting between the gospels.
A good study is to read each story in each of the gospels at the same time and then do a comparison. Does that make sense? Maybe a future study for us. I think there are fewer than 10 stories that are common between the four gospels. This would be a quick study. One a week or so.
Good thoughts!
Thank you all for your concern about my eyesight. Seeing double is a plan in the behind, but I can see. My near vision is fine, although I need to wear glasses. I am hopeful that the upcoming surgery to remove excess skin around my eyes will help. Donna, thank you for your offer to get a Bible on CD from the library, but I am a kind of far away. If I need to, I can get one from our library here in Great Falls. It is a very nice library, especially for a town this size.
ReplyDeleteViola! Some stories we have seen in the synaptic gospels but are different here. In those gospels, the disciples ask about how they are going to feed 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Here, Jesus asks Philip, ”Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” This is a test, for Jesus already had in mine what He was going to do. Philip answers (in John’s gospel) that it would take mor than half a year’s wages to feed all the people. This does not appear in the other 3 gospels. In John’s gospel, he (John) specifically says barley bread. The other gospels don’t mention “barley.” In this gospel, the people call Jesus a Prophet instead of the Messiah. I’m not sure a reference to this appears in the synaptic gospels.
ReplyDeleteI got caught up in verses 51 – 58 where Jesus speaks to the Jewish throng about people eating his flesh and drinking his blood. This sounds like a cannibalistic rite to me, but pastor seems to cover it well in his commentary above. These is also a sidebar in my Bible that address this as well. It says, in part: “Jesus was jot recruiting a cult of cannibals …” The sidebar goes on to say “To ‘eat’ and ‘drink’ Jesus us to depend on him [sic] in every aspect of our lives.” It concludes by saying that this sounds like the Christian sacrament rite of Holy Communion, but Jesus didn’t introduce this until the Last Supper on the night before He was crucified.
I don’t remember seeing in the synaptic gospels about Jesus’s disciples wanting to revolt and leave him. Jesus quells the uprising with a simple question: would it be better anywhere else? This seems to satisfy the 12, including Judas.
Good point- prophet v messiah. lots of small word choices that are different adds a whole layer to pick apart!
ReplyDeleteThe eating body and drinking flesh was one of the reasons why the Christians were so persecuted. People did think they were practicing cannibalism!
I do like Jesus' response when they want to leave- "Go ahead, but who will you follow?!"
Good thoughts