By Pastor Pete Smith
October 10, 2024

Among Jesus’ miracles one of the more memorable ones, the feeding of the multitude, is recorded in John chapter six.  To that point, healing the sick is mentioned in the first verses as a set up to the “more significant” miracle of the provision of food.  “And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick” (Jn. 6:2).  The chapter starts with a kind of “There I was …” that describes a scene in which 5,000 men (an estimated 15,000-20,000 people in total) were following Jesus.

By modern standards that is an enormous number of people attending a church service.  Median church attendance in America today is 65 and even so-called “megachurches” are approximately 4,000 (according to www.communio.org).  There was no air conditioning, no comfortable chairs, no sound amplification, no special lighting, no children’s program and no coffee shop.  People saw the transforming power of Christ and responded by following Him up a mountain!

By any human metric Christ had created a successful ministry.  That people were willing to greatly inconvenience themselves to be near Jesus is difficult to comprehend.  Jesus went on to do the impossible in that He fed them all “to their fill” with nothing more than five loaves of bread and two fish.  Clearly, the evangelistic mission was flourishing because “when the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!’” (Jn. 6:14).

It would seem that everything was going according to plan, that is, until you get to the bottom half of the chapter.  The next day Jesus unexpectedly appeared on the other side of the sea.  When the masses found Him again, Jesus rebuked them for expecting another free lunch and for demanding that He perform more miracles.  He told them, “I am the bread of life” and added something that He knew would, in a sense, split the church.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (Jn. 6:53).  According to John 6:66, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”

There are two things to consider.  First, the attitude of the followers.  Jesus exposed their selfish hearts.  He revealed that they were willing to go to incredible lengths to position themselves to receive a physical benefit.  They followed Jesus based on how it would improve their lives.  The multitude that sought and even praised Him were fraudulent disciples.  Instead of being devoted to the person of Jesus, they were devoted to His miracles.   Does this describe you?  Do you attend church, read the Bible or pray in the hope that it will make your life easier? Are you sidling up to Christ because you’re hoping for an improved marriage, escape from a financial crisis, better health or a less dysfunctional family?  Beware!  These are signs of a fraudulent disciple.

When Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” He was telling them that His grace was sufficient for them.  He was shifting their focus from a superior result to a Supreme Redeemer.  They needed to see and believe that Jesus is enough!

Second, consider the teaching of Christ.  Yes, He met a physical need, but that was not the ultimate goal.  At the risk of rejection He told them the truth about His identity, namely, that in Him is the power of salvation and the source of eternal life and any that do not rely on that truth is at risk of eternal damnation.  Is that the Savior that you proclaim?  When you extend kindness to unbelievers is it accompanied with ultimate truth?  Do you peddle a savior of marriages, finances, health and family or proclaim a Savior of souls?  People need kindness and to know that Jesus is enough!

Feeding the multitude was a means to communicate eternal truth.  Cling to the person of Christ as your only hope in life and death and tell others the same.  Jesus is not the bread of “high” life.  He is the bread of life—eternal life.  Jesus is enough!

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63

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