This week, we began a new series called See & Believe. We continue our verse-by-verse teaching in the Gospel of John by picking up in chapter 6. This chapter has one of the most famous miracles in all of the Bible: the feeding of the five thousand.
In fact, this miracle is the only one found in all four gospel accounts.
As we move deeper into the life and story of Jesus we will notice that he and his disciples are met with more and more opposition. Whether its from culture, our unbelieving community, or the powers that be—we believe that as we go deeper into discipleship with Jesus opposition is to be expected.
To see and believe only costs us one thing: an unopposed existence.
Grow Together
Read this from the Bible together:
John 6:5-14
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…
Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Jesus asked Phillip how they could feed thousands of people because he needed someone to point out the severity of the situation’s lack. How often do you feel like you lack what you need? When in lack, do you respond with faith or impossibility?
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Barley loaves were small and the fish was pickled and plain. How often are you tempted to downplay what you’ve been given as good enough? How often do you overlook what you’ve been given because it doesn’t appear worthy of sharing?
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Jesus didn’t want anyone to miss the source of the miracle: himself. When you are in the middle of a crisis, how often do you sit down and do nothing more than watch him work on your behalf?
Next Steps
Explaining away miracles is a “smart person” response to the unexplainable. Do you struggle to believe in the supernatural? If yes, why do you think that is? If not, why?
Pastor Brian shared this equation with us: not enough + Jesus = more than enough Do you believe this? If so, how have you seen it in your own life or the life of others? If not, why so?
Read J.I. Packard’s quote and discuss your answer to his question. Have you been holding back from a risky, costly course to which you know in your heart God has called you? Hold back no longer. Your God is faithful to you, and adequate for you. You will never need more than He can supply, and what He supplies, both materially and spiritually, will always be enough for the present.
