The Gospel of John

Dinner and a Walk

This week we will be covering the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and His walking on the water. These events are also documented in Matthew, Mark and as well in John. Hence this week we will examine Matthew chapter 14 and Mark 6:14-56 in parallel with John 6:1-25.

From both Matthew and Mark, we learn that this event occurred shortly after Jesus and His disciples received the news concerning the execution of John the Baptist. John’s Gospel excludes this detail but, I believe that it is necessary this story have the proper background.

Let’s review what happened. As Matthew and Mark report, Herod was enticed into beheading John the Baptist at the promise he made to some lap/erotic dancer that preformed for him at a birthday party given in his honor. It didn’t take much twisting of Herod’s arm to order John’s execution because he had issues with this vocal preacher and his criticism of his half brother Philip and the incestuous marriage to Herodias. (Mt 14:3-5 and Mk 6:17-20).

Once John was beheaded, John’s disciples reported this news to Jesus. Jesus and His disciples then retreated to a place of solitary to get away from the crowds and rest (Mt 14:13; Mk 6:30-33). Here we understand that this moment in time was very hectic. Multiple healings were being preformed by Jesus, constant teaching going on, the crowds growing in numbers and of course this very sad news of concerning the earthly cousin of our Lord and esteemed preacher. In fact, we are told that they didn’t even have time stop and eat (Mk 6:31). One could speculate that if John could be imprisoned and executed for preaching the Gospel then what is to stop the Roman government to do the same thing to Jesus and His disciples. Anyway, their efforts to get away from the crowds were futile. The crowds were all the persistent because of the miracles preformed by Jesus.

When the crowds found Jesus, we are told by Matthew and Mark, Jesus had compassion for them (Mt 14:14; Mk 6:34). Even though some of the crowds may have only seen Jesus as some sort of side show, Jesus still took time to teach then the Gospel (Mk 6:34). When the evening came (still no time for the disciples or Jesus to make a meal for them-selves) the disciples requested that Jesus dismiss them so they could all go home and have something to eat. Jesus responded “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Mt 14:16) Jesus asks Philip to go out and get them something to eat (John 6:5). Now here is the problem – they were in a remote place away from any fast food restaurants or supermarkets (Mk 6:32, 35; Mt 14:15). All this was, according to John’s Gospel, Jesus testing how they would respond (John 6:6).

Question 1: Has there ever been a time in your walk with the Lord, in which you were exhausted but never the less you needed to continue your work before you could rest?

Question 2: Do you know people who drain you so much that you need to ask the Lord to give you compassion for them? Without gossiping, can you be specific?

Philip reports back to Jesus that they don’t have enough money to buy food. Andrew, on the other hand, brings a young lad with his sack lunch – as one preacher called it “a tuna fish sandwich sack lunch”. It is important to note that before we critique this act of Andrew, we need to point out that Andrew is known for bringing people to Jesus. (As you recall he brought Peter to the Lord, John 1:14 and now this young boy).

Next we understand that Jesus commanded His disciples to get the crowd ready for dinner and He blesses the gift of the young boy. Before you know it, the whole multitude eats their fill and the leftovers exceed the original offering. A few lessons can be learned from this:

The Lesson of Andrew: bring people to the Lord.
The Lesson of the boy: Offer what you have to the Lord.
The Lesson of the meal: The Lord offers in exceeding abundance.

Discussion point: Comment on any or all of these lessons mentioned and any others you may see.

Also note that when the crowd was filled, they then recognized that Jesus was Messiah and wanted to force Him into an earthy leadership role. (John 6:14-15)

At the end of the day, the disciples decided to leave by boat and Jesus retreats to prayer. About 3 to 4 miles away from shore, the disciples are confronted by a storm.

Question 3: Do you know of a time when you left Jesus behind and a storm came into your life? What lessons did you learn?

Jesus, knowing the disciples distress, walks out to the boat 3 to 4 miles from shore. Because of the storm the disciples become afraid. When they see Jesus, they even become more afraid.

Question 4: Which do you think the disciples where more afraid of: the storm or seeing Jesus? Why?

It is interesting to note that here Jesus uses an “I AM” statement. Reference John 6:20.

EMTV (English Majesty Text)
He said to them, "It is I AM; do not fear."

ALT (Analytical Literal Translation)
He says to them, "I AM! Stop being afraid!

HNV (Hebrews Name Version)
He said to them, "I AM. Don't be afraid."

Question 5: How can knowing that Jesus is “I AM” comfort you in a storm?

Of the Gospels, Matthew is the only to report Peter waking on the water. From Peter’s walk we learn:

Be bold (Peter asked the Lord plainly if he could come to Him)
Be obedient (Peter did go to Jesus)
Stay focused on the Lord (When Peter saw the waves he stopped looking at the Lord and thus began to sink)

Question 6: In what ways can we be bold in the Lord, be obedient to the Lord and stay focused on Him this week?

On the other side of the sea, the crowd puts two and two together and realizes that when the boat left, it left without Jesus. When it docked, Jesus was aboard.

posted by Ray Andrade @ 10:30 PM