John
© copyright 2008 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved


Chapter 6


John 6:1-14
1
 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

After the confrontation of the previous chapter, Jesus “went over” or sailed across the sea of Galilee.

A large group followed Him, because they had seen His miracles.

Many today follow miracles!

Many are not interested in a change of life, just a change in their ability to live in sin!

Christ offers life to all who would follow Him, but few actually do!

Jesus went up into a mountain with his disciples.

At that time, Passover was near.

Much of Jesus ministry is reflected in Passover!

He is our Passover (1 Cor 5:7)!

When saw the great company that was coming to him, he asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for all these to eat?

Philip retorted, “Two hundred days of normal wages bread would not be sufficient to feed them even if they all had just a nibble.

Then, Andrew said, “Here is a lad with five barley loaves, and two small fish, but it is not enough among so many!

Jesus answered, “Make the men sit down.

So the men, about five thousand men (not counting women and children) sat down.

Jesus took the bread, and when He had given thanks, He gave them to the disciples to distribute.

He did the same with the fish!

When the crowd had eaten all they wanted, Jesus told His disciples, “Gather up the leftovers so that nothing is lost.

Many Christians today to do understand what happened that day!

All were fed, and nothing was wasted!

How many times have you heard that taught?

The disciples gathered and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

It was after seeing the miracle that they said, “This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.”

Do you believe because you have seen, or because you have faith?

Seeing is not believing with the imputed faith of salvation!

As Christians, we operate in the faith OF Christ Jesus!

Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  

The imputed faith OF Christ Jesus is what stands between us and spiritual ruin!

Prior to coming to Christ, we were dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1)!

Being dead, we were incapable of trusting in Christ with salvation faith!

The faith that brings salvation is the imputed faith Of Christ Jesus!

John 6:15-71
15
 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
48 I am that bread of life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71  He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

At this point the people of that day were following miracles, as many do today!

Many Church attendees chase after miracles!

The Jewish people wanted their positions among the nations restored! 

For that to happen they thought they needed a great King!

Their actual need was for the Father’s Messiah!

Jesus first came as the suffering servant Messiah of Isaiah 53, Messiach ben Yoseph! 

Later He shall return as the conquering King Messiah, Messiach ben David!

Jesus perceived that they would attempt to force Him to be King out of due season! 

So, He left them and went to a mountain to be alone!

At dusk, his disciples went down to the sea, and boarded a ship to go to Capernaum.

As they rowed the boat toward Capernaum, a storm hit.

They had rowed about 3-4 miles when they saw Jesus walking on the sea.

As He drew near they became fearful.

But, He said, “It’s Me! Don’t be afraid!

This story is John’s short version of Matthew 14:42-33 in which Peter walked on the water as Jesus summoned Him to do.

As the story is told elsewhere, Peter began to sink with fear when he looked at the circumstances!

Many times in the Bible we find the admonishment “Fear not!”

Many live in constant fear!

We too sink in fear when we focus on negative circumstances!

Fear is a synonym for doubt!

As Jesus came aboard the ship, it was immediately at the shore.

The day following, when the people from the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except the one carrying the disciples, they too went Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked why he came there?

Jesus answered, “Ye are looking for Me only because you ate physical food!

All too often we place more importance on Physical food rather than spiritual food!

He said, “Don’t work for the ‘meat’ that perish! Instead, work for that ‘meat’/food that endures bringing everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give you! Because, God the Father has sealed Him.

Many do not understand that as God seals each of His adopted children with the Holy Spirit, He also sealed His Only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus with the same Holy Spirit!

Then, they asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”

Jesus response was not long and convoluted as many sermons! He said simply, “This is the work of God that you believe on him whom He sent.

We may not think of belief as “work,” but God does!

He has set before us the work of believing in, trusting in, being faithful to His only Begotten Son!

Again, belief is not the acknowledgement that Christ Jesus exists!  Belief is a complete trusting in Him to do what is necessary to achieve what is best for us!

Many, if not most, are weak in the faith in that they do not have that type of belief or faith! 

They asked, “What sign will you work and show us so that we may see, and believe You?

“Our fathers ate manna in the desert, and as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

Then Jesus bluntly told them, “Truthfully I tell you, Moses did not give you bread from heaven! However, My Father gives you the true Bread from heaven.

For the Bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.

Then they said, “Lord, give us this bread.”

Jesus replied, “I am that bread of life! He that comes to Me shall never hunger! And, he that believes on Me shall never thirst!

But, you have seen Me, and still do not believe!

All that the Father gives Me shall come to me! And, he that comes to Me I will not under any circumstance cast them out.

Now I must ask, “How many has the Father given His only begotten Son Christ Jesus?”

Because, I did not come down from heaven to do My will, but the will of Him that sent Me.

And, this is the Father's will that of all which He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

This is the will of Him that sent Me that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day!

At that the Jews complained because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.

They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then is it that he says, “I came down from heaven?

Jesus warned them, “Do not complain among yourselves!

None of you has come to me unless the Father who has sent me draws him! And, I will raise him up at the last day!

It is written in the prophets that they shall be all taught of God! Every man that has heard, and has learned from the Father comes to Me.

Not that any man has seen the Father except He which is from God! He hath seen the Father!

Truthfully, he that believes on Me has everlasting life!

I am that bread of life!

Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they are dead!

This is the bread which comes down from heaven so that a man may eat thereof, and not die!

I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven! If anybody eats this bread, he shall live forever! And, the Bread that I will give is My flesh which I will give for the life of the world!

At that the Jews cried out, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

Even some today do not understand what Jesus was saying!

He was speaking of spiritual digestion!

Some believe that Christ was referring to communion!

Communion is symbolic! 

It is there to remind us to take in Christ as He has taken us in and we are now part His body, as physical food becomes part of our bodies!

Then Jesus, “Truthfully, except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you!

Whoever eats (digests) My flesh, and drinks My blood, has eternal life! And, I will raise him up at the last day.

Because, My flesh is indeed food, and My blood is indeed drink!

He that eats My flesh, and drinks my blood, lives in me, and I in him!

As the living Father has sent Me, and I live by the Father, so he that eats of Me shall live by me!

This is the bread which came down from heaven! Not as your fathers ate manna and died! He that eats this bread shall live forever!

Christ taught those things at the Synagogue in Capernaum.

However, many of his disciples upon hearing what he taught said, “This is extremely difficult! Who can accept it?”

Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were complaining, so He said, “Does that offend you?

What if you see the Son of man ascend up to where He was before?

It is the spirit that brings life! The flesh profits nothing! The words I speak to you are Spirit, and Life!

But, there some of you do not believe!

Jesus knew from the beginning who would not believe, and who should betray Him.

And so, He said, “Therefore I tell you that none may come to Me except it be given to him from My Father!

From that time, many of His disciples turned back, and no longer followed Him.

Today, others who seem to be Christians cannot accept what Christ Jesus said!  They do not believe that He is the only Way to salvation!

Then, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked, “Will you also go away?

Simon Peter spoke for the group when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!

“We believe and are assured that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”

At that Jesus surprisingly told them, “Haven’t I chosen you twelve and yet one of you is a devil?

He was referring to Judas Iscariot the son of Simon! It was he who should betray Him, being one of the twelve.

 

Chapter 7
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