Philip. It was Philip who asked “How are we supposed to feed this many people?” The only Gospel to mention his name is John. I wonder what else I might see…
It just occurred to me that John is the only Gospel writer to “name names” in the account of the feeding of 5,000. No other writer identifies specific people. He calls out Andrew in this passage as well. If it weren’t for John, we wouldn’t know that. I wonder why the others were vague, and John is being specific? Luke is capable of capturing detail…he does it quite well in other areas. Luke wrote before John, so he wouldn’t have thought “those names are already mentioned, no need to hear them again”. I guess it isn’t important, but I like to ask the questions.
John also tells us that the disciples went down to the shore to wait on Jesus. We know from other accounts that Jesus lingered behind to dismiss the crowd and spend some time in prayer. It would appear that when the hour became late, the disciples left. I can’t imagine them leaving Jesus with no ride, even if they didn’t realize He was God…so Jesus must have told them to head to the other side of the lake if He didn’t show by a certain time. So when the disciple became caught up in the gale, they were being obedient. You see, a part of me wanted to say “that’s what you get when you try and do it without Jesus” or “You should have waited for Jesus before trying to do it on your own”. But I think that Jesus set this up, and was using it as a teaching point for them.
If you can agree to that, then you should be able to agree that Jesus has occasionally allowed you and I to be rocked and tossed by the storms of life. It would be a sign of Christian maturity to remember that principle the next time we find our own life in danger of being “swamped”.
John says here that they arrived “immediately” at their destination. That’s a detail not mentioned in any other Gospel.
Beginning in verse 22: the crowd has realized that only one boat left last night, and Jesus wasn’t on it. The mass of people didn’t go home, the way Jesus had instructed them to…instead they walked around the Sea of Galilee and met the disciples on the other side. You can imagine their surprise when they arrived and saw Jesus already there. A quick inquiry to anyone standing around would have confirmed that He arrived with the disciples. I can see the stunned, confused look on their faces now. “How did you get here ahead of us?” they ask, but Jesus’ reply doesn’t answer their question.
I wonder how many questions I have asked Jesus in prayer that He has simply chosen not to answer because they were the wrong questions. In this case, Jesus knew that the crowd really was more interested in being with Jesus because He could feed them, not because they were interested in the message that He brought. I suppose there is some parallel to that in churches today. We often attend because we are entertained, not because we are taught. You can learn a great deal from simply reading a book, how much more can you learn from listening to someone relate those principles aloud! But if the speaker happens to be less than engaging…we sometimes skip attending. All I’m saying is that we could be guilty of the same sin that the people of Jesus’ day were guilty of. It’s probably best to extend them some grace. I’ll bet that attendance in the local synagogue was low anytime Jesus was in town.
Verse 29 is fantastic! “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one He has sent” It’s so simple and easy. And yet, if we truly believe there are many implications for the rest of our lives. If we truly believe, behavior changes.
You can hear the crowd squirming around, trying to “squeeze” another miracle out of Jesus while paying no attention at all to the message he is sharing.
Let me address another topic that I often bring up when I am blogging: eternal security. The doctrine of “once saved, always saved” is very popular among our brothers in the Calvinistic branches of the church, like the Baptists and Presbyterians, but the since we have become so mobile in this century, it isn’t uncommon to find people who believe different things in all denominations. We travel, and we experience and learn new things, and see things from a different perspective because of it. This can be very healthy, keeping us from a lopsided faith. I mention it because when I read John 6:35 and following, I understand in part why my friends who believe in eternal security have adopted their position. For the purposes of fairness and transparency, let me look at a couple of those verses today.
37: “those the Father has given will come, and I will never reject them”. If God never rejects us, then that means we “stay saved” right? And, those whom God “has given will come” it sounds as if God has “predestined” who is going to be saved.
my thought: in verse 45 it says “everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me”. What if the Father has “given” to Jesus anyone who will listen and learn? In that way, God isn’t deciding who will be saved…we are making the decision. Don’t forget, that verse 47 says “anyone”. Verse 50 says “anyone” and verse 51 says “anyone”. The word “anyone”is repeated often here….it is being emphasized.
Another thought on the idea that God will “never reject us”: I completely agree that God will never reject those who listen and learn from Him. As long
as we stay close to God, our salvation is certainly “secure”. But that doesn’t mean I can’t walk away, or be tempted to doubt and eventually “surrender”
my faith. My reluctance to remain faithful is no reflection on God’s ability, He could hold onto me against my will…but He respects our decisions, even
when they are terrible.
44: “no one can come unless the Father who sent me draws them”. It stand to reason from this statement that some are drawn, and some are not. Those who are not drawn cannot possibly be saved.
My thought: I agree that we cannot come unless we are drawn. We call it “prevenient” grace, meaning the grace that is expressed to us before we are saved. I ask this question: “Does the verse say WHO receives prevenient grace?” I submit that God offers prevenient grace to everyone, so that “anyone” can be saved. In this way, the verse is true…but God is calling everyone, so anyone can be saved.
Some parts of the Bible have to be read and interpreted so that we can understand the correct meaning. It isn’t always easy, and occasionally we disagree on the exact interpretation. I don’t think it will keep us out of heaven….it’s rather like two or three siblings arguing about whatever kids argue about…at the end of the day, they are all still their father’s children. Even if they do exasperate Him from time to time.
A statement that needs interpretation that isn’t really in dispute is recorded at the end of today’s reading. The first century readers thought Jesus was telling them to be cannibals when they heard Him say it. Oddly, Jesus doesn’t stop them from leaving…probably because they weren’t intent on discovery and learning anyway…they just wanted fed. I am reminded that sometimes “sound teaching” does not add to the morning worship attendance. Many went their separate ways that day..and Jesus didn’t seem to be apologetic about it. He knew they weren’t serious anyway.
Faithfully,
PR