“After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or the Sea of Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Jesus, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. 12 When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world. 15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone”
John 6:1-15.
This story references the second Passover (v.4) that was close by; the first was from Chapter 2 when John mentions: “13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem” John 2:13. This story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes is one of the few Gospel “signs” that appears in all four (4) Gospels — with pretty much the same details in each Gospel. Notice that Jesus gives no teaching before the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and surprisingly is waiting for the people to come to Him while sitting up on a mountain. And it is Jesus who brings up to Philip the question of getting the large crowd some food to eat. Notice too that John mentions a “lad” — or young boy — and barley loaves, both reminiscent of Elisha’s miracle; “42 Now a man came from Baal-shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give them to the people that they may eat.” 43 His attendant said, “What, will I set this before a hundred men?” But Elisha said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’” 44 So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord” 2 Kings 4:42-44.
Notice in v.11 “Jesus then took the loaves, and gave thanks.” In the Greek language in which John wrote his Gospel, to give thanks is the word “eucharisteo” — which is another word used for centuries for communion — the Eucharist — which means “the meal of thanksgiving.” At the Last Supper Jesus “gave thanks” and distributed the bread after blessing it, just as He did in this story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.
And finally at the end of the story Jesus withdraws again to the mountain by Himself because He perceived “that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king” John 6:15. Jesus was being tempted here by the people who had in mind a throne for Jesus that was not the throne Jesus would ascend — His Cross! Jesus knew that he was here to the will of his father, as He said in Chapter 5: “30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative…because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me”
John 5:30.
One of the things we need to look at is the reference to communion — that this was a sacred meal of communion. The language of Jesus at that grassy field is the same He spoke at the Last Supper. Like communion we only need a morsel to partake in the sacred meal that points to the love of Jesus Christ. But it is the thrill of the presence of Jesus at both meals that makes this more than just an ordinary meal of bread and fish. And isn’t that the point? How blessed and thrilling it is for us all to know that Jesus is so intimately present in each of our lives. Only Jesus can take a crumb of barley and a pickled sardine and turn it into a banquet, just as He alone can take our small, broken lives and turn them into forgiven, loved, and blessed lives — for eternity.
So take time, for God’s sake, today, and pray. Sit in silence and luxuriate in His presence. Oh dear Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
I am humbled beyond words at my sinfulness and Your mercy. I lean on you for everything. My life is in Your hands, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
From the Bible:
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” Ephesians 2:4-5.
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” Luke 6:36.
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you” Psalm 86:5.
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34.
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