Our Security for Eternity - the Gospel of John Sample

Week 3

Read: John 6:1–15

SOAP: John 6:14

Now when the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus performed, they began to say to one another, “This is certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

The fourth miraculous sign John recorded in his Gospel is the feeding of the five thousand. It begins a section of the book which, at its conclusion, further proves that Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to eternal life. At this point, Jesus was near the Sea of Galilee (remember, this Gospel is not always a chronological account). He was with His disciples, and many people who had heard of the miraculous things He had done, followed them up the mountainside.

John’s Gospel includes only seven miracles of Jesus (not including the resurrection). Each one is chosen for a specific purpose. This sign, of providing bread for the multitudes, is meant to set the stage for Jesus’ first claim about Himself. The meaning and significance of this sign are included a bit later in John’s Gospel.

These people had come to see a miraculous sign. Some were followers of Jesus, some were skeptics, and some were political activists who wanted to make Him king. But Jesus took note of their immediate need. He provided food for thousands of people (some scholars believe it was close to twenty-thousand people) out of two fish and five loaves of bread.

After the people had eaten and were full, they recognized the miraculous sign Jesus performed. They recognized what He had done and that He had authority. The people believed Him to be a prophet, recognizing His miraculous provision was similar to the way Elisha provided food for the hungry and needy (2 Kings 4:1–7; 4:42–44). When we look at this text, we also see similarities between the way Jesus provided bread for the people and the way God provided manna for His people in the wilderness (Exodus 16).

The recognition of Jesus as a prophet shows the faith of the people. They recognized Jesus had authority and power and was the One who had been promised. However, they were confused about the way Jesus was meant to come. Many wanted to make Him king by force, showing their lack of understanding of the Scriptures as well as their lack of faith. Without a full understanding of who Jesus was, they could not fully understand that Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to eternal life.