Where Will We Buy Bread to Feed All These People? (John 6:1-15)

Crowds have gathered coming to be near Jesus. He has performed miracles and healed many who were sick. On a mountainside while sitting with his disciples, he sees thousands and seems to be joking with Philip saying, "Where will we buy bread to feed all these people?" Philip says it wouldn't be enough if we had eight months wages to spend on food. Andrew points out a boy who has five loaves of barley bread and two small fish, but that wouldn't go very far... Jesus has the disciples round up everyone and sit down. There are about 5000 of them there. Jesus takes the loaves, gives thanks, and distributes the bread to those who were seated and gives them as much as they want. He does the same with the fish. Afterwards they gather twelve baskets of leftovers. When the people saw this miracle, they believed he was a prophet and wanted to make him their king by force. But, Jesus escaped and went to a mountain to be by himself.

It's important to note that Jesus always has everything under control. He is not worried when 5000 come to the wilderness to sit at his feet. He can make bread out of stones if he chose to. He comes through for us in unexpected ways. He is the source of great abundance. He is creator. The masses are fed with much left over. When the people seek to take him by force and make him their king for their own benefit... well who wouldn't want a king like that? We would never be in need for anything. With Jesus providing all that we might ever need. But, we don't go to Jesus to get what we want from him. He is more than a provider of food, shelter, safety, wealth, or a good life...

Jesus has the ability, but these people are not ready for his kingdom yet.

Moses & Jesus (John 5:31-47)

John came and testified to the truth. John was like a lamp that gave light for a while and for a time you chose to enjoy his light. He  preached and baptized many. He is now imprisoned. Jesus now has a greater testimony to share. John only pointed the way to Jesus. Every work that he does is a testimony that the Father has sent him. His works prove his genuineness. And the Father himself testified about Jesus. He foretold his coming in the writing of the prophets. The Jewish leaders of the time diligently studied the scriptures because they thought that by them they could possess eternal life (v 39). However, the scriptures testify about Jesus. "You refuse to come to me to have life (v 40)." They seek the praise of each other and make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from God. Moses wrote about Jesus. The Jewish people put their faith in the writing of Moses. But, if they really believed what Moses wrote, they would believe what Moses wrote about Jesus. If we are willing to believe that Moses wrote about Jesus, are we willing to believe what Jesus says? Moses wrote that a greater prophet than he would come and that the people of Israel should listen to him (Deut 18:15). Jesus is who he says he is. The entire Old Testament points forwards to him. Yet, there are those who study it and wait for someone else to come. There is no other. Life will not be found in the writings of Moses. It will only truly be found in the words of Jesus.

My Father is Always at Work (John 5:16-30)

This is not a commentary or any sort of scholarly work. It is just thoughts written down as I read through the scriptures. I pray that God will move through His word. I pray that He will bless me that I may be a blessing to others = my family, neighbors, church, friends, etc. In this passage the Jewish leaders want to kill Jesus = sounds familiar. They are upset that he is "working" on the Sabbath by healing people. He had just helped a lame man walk again. Jesus says to them,"My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working." This is an interesting verse - I need to look into this one more. Scripture says they were upset with him not only because he was healing on the Sabbath but because he was making himself equal with God.  But Jesus basically says I can do nothing on my own. I am limited to the will of my Father. There will be even greater things shown in the future. My Father raises the dead and I will give life as well to whom I am pleased to give it.* The Father does not judge but has given this responsibility to me. All who honor the Father should therefore honor me. Whoever does not honor me does not honor the Father who sent me. If God the Father can do works of mercy on the Sabbath - So can I. Be careful of your judgment of me, for I have been appointed judge. Whoever believes in me and the one who sent me has already crossed over from death to life. Eternal life has been given through your faith. You will not be condemned. All who listen will live. A day is coming when all who are in their graves will come and rise to judgment. Jesus will be that judge. He will be a fair judge who works to please his Father. So, he's basically saying to the Jewish leaders - you just don't get it. You refuse to hear. You try to paint me as a sinner, but you are wrong. You have no clue as to what is about to happen. Pay attention. So much is at stake, but your ignorance has blinded you. This is who I am. I am the Son of God. He has sent me. I do the work of God. I will give life to whomever I want to. It is eternal life. It is for now as well as forever. I will judge the world. Will you continue to judge me and what I do? Or will you listen and see what is to come? This is reality. This is our world that we live in. This is what is yet to come. Will you be ready? Will you listen to what Jesus has to say?

The Pool of Bethsaida (John 5:1-15)

Jesus comes into Jerusalem on a feast day. He finds a lame man by the pool of Bethsaida (Bethesda). He is unable to get to the pool on his own. Others always beat him to it when the water is stirred up. Jesus has compassion on him and heals him. He later tells him when he sees him at the temple to sin no more so that nothing worse happens to you. He is just a random man who Jesus runs into. In an instant, this man who was lame for 38 years, is able to walk. He did this on the Sabbath.

Lord help me to have compassion on those who are not able to take care of themselves. Help me not to be focused just on healing the pains and struggles of this life, but to remind people that something much worse will happen if they do not turn from their sins. I know these things, but Lord help me to live this out.

Presently I am leading a group through a discipleship class at church called "A Call to Joy" and leading the adult Sunday school class through a transition to be more missionally focused.

Father, help me to reach these people that they might be renewed with purpose and passion for your name. You are able to make lame men walk. You are able to revive churches.

Healing from a Distance (John 4:43-54)

Jesus returns to Galilee from Samaria. It is the place where he turned water into wine. Many believe there because they were at the feast when it happened. An official comes to Jesus to ask him to heal his son. Jesus says you won't believe unless you see signs and miracles. But, he just pleads for him to come. So Jesus tells him to go home, your son is well. He heals him from a great distance. The man believes along with the rest of his household. Nothing is beyond Jesus. He can do anything. Lord, heal our church. Help us to become effective and impactful in our community and throughout the world. Heal my daughter of diabetes. Help me lead well.

The Samaritan's Believe (John 4:39-42)

The Samaritans believed the testimony of the (unnamed) woman from the well. She had led them to Jesus. As they gathered together and spent time with him they became all the more convinced. They too now agreed that Jesus is Messiah and Savior of the world. We have a role to play in bringing others to Jesus. There is nothing more exciting than hearing of how God is working in the life of new believers. To be part of a group of people that God is using is a great and awesome blessing. Help me Father to share this with others.

Is He the Christ? (John 4:27-28)

The woman from the well was told by Jesus himself that he is the Messiah. She drops her water jar and goes off asking others, "Is he the Christ?... Come see this man who told me all I ever did. He knows all." He is the Christ. How easily do we doubt? We look for confirmation not from him but from others. Is his word not enough?

• Jesus' food is to do the will of his father. It is what feeds him and nourishes him.
• What he most wants now is to let his disciples know that the fields are white for the harvest. Notice the context = He took them to Samaria to point this out - The fields are white (ready) among those whom they would consider to be their natural enemies/rivals.
• Lord help me to see as you see