John 6:1-15
6: After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Reflection
Throughout chapter 6, John describes Jesus in a way that reminds us of the Old Testament story about Moses and the exodus. He wants us to see Jesus as the greater Moses and the gospel as the greatest exodus of all. Just as Moses led the Israelites in a mass exodus out of Egypt into the Land of Promise, so Jesus came to lead the family of God on the ultimate exodus—a journey out of sin and death into the ultimate Promised Land—the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1–5).
The chapter begins with the feeding of the 5,000 just before Passover (John 6:4)—the meal that began Israel’s exodus journey through the wilderness. John wants us to see a connection between the meal that Jesus provides to this crowd and the Passover that launched the salvation of Israel in the exodus. For now, Jesus provides bread and fish, but in the end Jesus himself will actually be the Passover meal. Like the lamb that was sacrificed to save lives at the original Passover, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (1:29) so that we can receive God’s salvation. On him we feed and are nourished.
Hebrews 1:5-14
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,“You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?
6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,“Let all God's angels worship him.”
7 Of the angels he says,“He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But of the Son he says,“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10 And,“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”
13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
0 Or again,
0 “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
Reflection
The major idea of this chapter is Christ’s royal position. Jesus is the divine Son who sits at God’s right hand (Heb. 1:3–5). In this way the Son surpasses the angels who worship him (v. 6). His throne lasts forever (v. 8) and his rule is righteous (v. 9). This means that he has the right to command and the power to rescue.
We, his people, saved freely by his grace, gladly submit to his righteous rule over us. We love him and keep his commandments because he first loved us (John 14:15, 21, 23; 1 John 4:19). His perfect love for us drives away our fear of God’s wrath (1 John 4:18). Our strong King keeps us safe in his care. We have many reasons to thank him!
Psalm 24:8-10
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
Jesus is the supreme King of all kings. Join with the angels of heaven and take some time today to worship the One who sits on the throne of the universe.