And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
He put the question about feeding the multitude to Philip in order to test and prove the faith of the disciples, while He Himself already knew beforehand what He would do to provide for the hungry crowd. He did this out of compassion that would not send the weary and hungry away unfed or let them faint by the way, and then supplied food for thousands bounteously from five barley loaves and two small fishes by miraculous, creative power so that all were satisfied and twelve baskets remained. The food multiplied as it was distributed and increased as it passed from Him through the disciples, who served as channels receiving from Him in order to give to others. He made the miracle the occasion for His teaching on Himself as the bread of life, that receiving His words and obeying His teachings gives spiritual vigor and eternal life as temporal bread strengthens the body. What seems insufficient in human hands becomes all-sufficient in His hands, so small gifts offered in faith can be blessed and increased until all eat and are filled with something left to give others.
Setting and Details
This belongs to the feeding of the multitude in John 6:1-13, whose meaning is summed up in the command to give the people something to eat.
The event took place on a mountain by the Sea of Galilee when the Passover was near, with about five thousand men besides women and children present. In one reckoning it was about ten thousand people, five thousand men and women and five thousand children, and above ten thousand persons fed from a few small loaves and fishes. The crowd had followed Jesus because they saw his miracles on the diseased, and thousands joined him as he walked from place to place in poverty. They listened to teaching such as they had never heard, stayed all day until evening, and grew weary and hungry from listening. It was in a remote, desert place beyond the sea from Capernaum, on a grassy eminence with much grass, where the sun was setting and they had no food and would faint by the way if sent home unrefreshed.
Philip answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not give each even a little, and Andrew pointed to a lad with five barley loaves and two small fishes. Jesus had the people sit down, gave thanks, and distributed the loaves and fishes through the disciples to those seated as much as they wanted until all were satisfied. The food did not run out as it was distributed but kept multiplying in his hands from the small supply, and the remaining fragments filled twelve baskets. Elsewhere the amount gathered is described as five or seven bushels, gathered so that nothing was lost.
After the feeding the multitude left Jesus knowing no boat remained for him to depart, and on the following morning returned to the spot where they had last seen him. News of the wonderful miracle wrought on the barren shore on the preceding day spread far and near, so that large numbers arrived early by land and water to search for him. The feeding by the sea happened on a beach within sight of where the disciples later gathered, not far from Capernaum. It expressed his love together with healing all the suffering multitudes brought to him and freeing those possessed and tormented by demon powers, a mighty work beside the sea and a reminder of him and of his words and deeds. The account stands together with Christ walking on the water and the Jews requiring a sign that he was the Son of God, and it can be spoken with acceptance to a large congregation of outsiders.
Testing and Foreknowledge
Jesus put the question to Philip about where bread might be bought in order to test and prove him and the faith of the disciples, not from uncertainty and not because He lacked a plan for feeding the crowd. He Himself already knew what He would do to provide for the hungry multitude. The need was that about five thousand men besides the women and children with them had gone without food all day and were with Him in a remote place as evening came. He would not let the people suffer for lack of food or send them away hungry.
Philip's answer exposed weak faith, even though he had witnessed the works of Jesus and had experienced His power. Yet the feeding gave thoughtful and candid witnesses evidence that lifted them to a higher view of Christ's character and office. At the same time He knew when His words would expose the absence of genuine faith in those who did not believe.
He deliberately unfolded truths in the sixth chapter of John that priests and rulers and even many disciples did not understand, in order to prove His hearers. The testing truth was meant to bring the people to decide for or against Him and to cause them to reveal the real sentiments of their hearts. In this way He sifted out those who were not of the faith and not wholly with Him before His crucifixion, because He knew they would take a stand against Him at His trial and would then tempt the disciples in their great trial to dishonor their Master. His words and actions tested those who claimed to be His disciples, for His plain testimony showed whether they would accept truth and correction or turn away when it rebuked them. That proving was necessary before His departure, to keep His future work from being led astray.
He knew beforehand what He would do and takes advantage of circumstances, seeing in the following multitude an opportunity to become a field preacher. At times standing upon a hill, He sat with authority as a teacher to give the people the Word, which is the bread of life. Supplying temporal food for the hungry by miracle, enlarging a small substance after giving thanks, opened the way to place Him in the chair of instruction. The loaves multiplied in distribution and the fish increased in the hands of those who distributed them until five thousand were satisfied and the fragments were gathered up. That occasion would be long remembered, and He used it to bring His disciples before large numbers to give them reputation, so that many would recognize in their workings that they worked as He had worked, for His deeds of mercy open a door for His disciples.
The same blessing rests on His disciples as they break the bread of life to hungry souls, and temporal food so supplied prepares the way for Him in many places. All His words are to be gathered as the bread of life and given to the multitude, and even the weak are to feed needy souls by speaking the truth in love. He never works a miracle to exalt His own power or to add glory to His disciples, but works intelligently as necessity occurs to satisfy hunger, and though He has all the resources of infinity at command He will not waste a fragment.
Christ's Power and Compassion
He pitied the weary and hungry crowd and would not send them away hungering, lest they return unrefreshed or faint by the way, caring for their bodily needs as well as their need to hear words of life such as they had never heard. He healed their sick, comforted their sorrow, and by tender benevolence won their hearts, while his pure and simple teaching laid hold of their minds and sank into their hearts. His work displayed compassion, love, and benevolence, yet those who saw it did not necessarily believe in him. He also used the beautiful surroundings and works of nature to hold attention and help them remember spiritual teaching.
Though he had refused to work a miracle to satisfy his own hunger in the wilderness, he would not allow the multitude to suffer for lack of food or go home without eating. He already knew what he would do to provide, and his question about obtaining bread tested the faith of the disciples. He then fed thousands bounteously from five barley loaves and two small fishes, which no human power could do. The food did not run out as it was distributed; everyone was satisfied from the small supply by miraculous, creative, omnipotent power, and the remaining fragments filled twelve baskets.
In doing so he relied on God and looked to heaven while distributing the small store until it multiplied in his hands, with the disciples serving as channels through whom he supplied the people. Although food was not near at hand and the crowd was far from home, his providence had placed him there, and he depended on his Father to provide the means to meet their need. In difficult circumstances his workers are to use wisdom, follow his directions, and seek his help rather than act recklessly or give up, trusting that when brought into difficulty while keeping his way he will deliver them. The same power that multiplied the loaves works continually in the growth of seed, the production of harvests, and the feeding of millions. God gives life, rain, air, and sunshine and supplies ordinary harvests and daily necessities, while human work in tending grain and preparing bread cooperates with him but can obscure his agency and lead people to credit human means or natural causes instead of giving him glory. Recognizing his kindness leads people to receive his gifts as blessings rather than turn them to selfish use.
The wonder was wrought by one greater than Moses, by the Coming One who supplied Israel in the wilderness with bread and clear flowing streams and who declared Before Abraham was, I AM, with the same power that fed one hundred men in Old Testament times. It shows that the grace of God upon a small portion makes it all-sufficient, that his hand can multiply it an hundredfold, that from his resources he can spread a table in the wilderness for more than a million people, and that by the touch of his hand he can increase scanty provision and make it sufficient for all. He can make a meager supply sufficient to feed many, showing that the life and fruitfulness of nature depend continually on God, who can also provide food by an instantaneous miracle. The feeding displayed his omnipotent power and beneficence, showed the source of his power, and his way of working is an example to follow in carrying out God's plans and in caring for seekers by practical efforts to meet their needs and help them hear the word of life.
His teaching and healing had nearly convinced the people of his divinity, and this mighty miracle crowned their growing conviction with entire belief that he was indeed the Messiah possessing divine power. The miracle was sufficient evidence and was meant to awaken faith and lead people to accept him as the Son of God and the Bread of life. Yet the Jewish priests closed their eyes to the light and still demanded a sign, and the crowd wanted to see the miracle repeated and to learn how the food was multiplied, as if it were a method they could learn, rather than receive the lesson it taught. Many sought him only for temporal advantage because they ate and were filled, not because the miracle had led them to recognize him as the Son of God and the Saviour, and further signs would not persuade those who wanted an excuse to avoid the self-denial and separation from the world involved in following him. The work showed the Father's power and care, which he continually displayed, as the food multiplied while passed among the people. It reveals his power to meet needs and his compassion, love, and benevolence, and he remains able to provide for his people in different places, for his care for their bodily needs is not ended.
Bread of Life Teaching
John 6 teaches the importance of Christ as the bread of life and of receiving His words as life, with Christ Himself as the center of the believer's life and its lessons to be understood and brought into practical life. The Word of God is that bread of life because it represents the body and blood of the Son of God, and unlike mathematics which addresses the intellect alone, it aims at the heart, addresses the moral nature and takes possession of the will. It casts down imaginations and every high thing exalting itself against the knowledge of God and brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, because it is the wayward heart that has dragged down the faculties of the soul. Study of the Word is eating the Word of God, which in wisdom and love and goodness has been made plain and simple, by bringing the principles revealed in Scripture home to the soul, not departing from its precepts, bringing its truths into daily life, and grasping the mysteries of godliness. Such study requires praying to God, communing with Him, and proving the very mind of God as by those striving for eternal life who must know His will, with truth revealed only as it is known in Christ by receiving and assimilating His words until they become part of the self, which is eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. It is living by every word proceeding out of the mouth of God, by what God has revealed, for God has revealed all necessary for salvation though not all has been revealed because it could not be borne, and His word must not be left to the suppositions of men.
The spiritual truths of God's Word as the bread of life are to be taken into the mind, understood, studied and practiced. Tasting that the Lord is gracious becomes actual experience as eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, learned as newborn babes learn to desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby, and had only when a person is truly converted and born again. The education given in John 6 on feeding upon Christ's words as His very flesh and blood means youth must be taught the law of Jehovah and the penalty for transgressing it, and that God accepts the ransom made by the Saviour for them personally when they are obedient to the law of Jehovah. The feeding of the multitude furnishes a forcible figure of Christ's work on earth: as temporal bread imparts health and strength to the body, so faith in Christ and obedience to His teachings give spiritual vigor to the soul and life everlasting.
The miracle of the loaves recorded in John 6:1-14 was made by Christ the occasion for His sermon on the bread of life, setting forth the conditions of eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God. That loaves-and-fishes account belongs together with Christ walking on the water and His declaration that He was the Bread of life, holding together many subjects of intense interest and highest precious value. Its deep spiritual teaching was not understood by the people. Almost immediately after the miracle many who had been following Him apostatized and walked no more with Him, with some of His disciples turning from Him, because they sought Him not because they saw the miracles but because they ate of the loaves and were filled, coming only for the temporal advantages they could obtain.
Disciples as Channels
The food increased as it passed from Christ to those who accepted it, and the disciples stood as channels and instruments between Christ and the people. Christ received from the Father and supplied others through His disciples, who received from Him in order to give to others. The loaves multiplied as they were distributed, showing that those united to Christ receive the bread of life from Him and pass it on, with continued giving bringing continued supply. Those who work with God receive divine grace to share with others, and the gift increases as it is distributed, teaching His followers to share with the needy what they have received.
He used the occasion to bring His disciples before large numbers to give them reputation, so many would recognize in their workings that they worked as He had worked. His deeds of mercy open a door for His disciples, and temporal food so supplied opens the way to place Him in the chair of instruction and prepares the way for Him in many places. The same blessing rests on His disciples as they break the bread of life to hungry souls, and even the weak are to feed needy souls by speaking the truth in love, with all His words gathered as the bread of life and given to the multitude. Through the feeding He opened to the disciples their work as His representatives to give the bread of life to the people, both in the feeding and in the sermon on the bread from heaven. He who appointed their work knew their faith would often be tried when thrown into unexpected positions and realizing human insufficiency, feeling destitute and helpless with nothing to impart unless they first received spiritual food. They were not to turn one hungry soul away unfed but to go to the source of supply, for God who sent His servants to feed the hungry would supply their need for His own work.
The miracle tested and taught the disciples to care for people seeking salvation by making practical efforts to meet their needs and help them hear the word of life. In difficult circumstances God's workers are to use wisdom, follow His directions, and seek His help rather than act recklessly or give up, for when brought into difficulty while keeping His way He will deliver them. After the miracle He refused to become their king, and His popularity began to wane, and He then devoted Himself more earnestly to teaching His disciples. During the event Judas helped distribute the food and saw the relief and joy and healing Christ brought to the sick and suffering, from which he could have learned Christ's methods through this service. Instead selfish desire and hopes of worldly power blinded him to Christ's methods, so he used the crowd's enthusiasm to start a plan to take Christ by force and make Him king, testing whether Jesus would let Himself be seized and expecting the people to rally to Him if He were the Messiah, and was bitterly disappointed when Jesus rebuked the plan.
When the risen Jesus broke food and divided it among the seven disciples by the sea on the mountain-side beach, the earlier breaking and dividing on the mountain-side was brought distinctly to their minds and they gazed upon Him in silent, mysterious awe. The later miraculous draught of fishes made the former miracle more impressive. Though deprived of the personal companionship of their Master and of earning sustenance by fishing, the resurrected Saviour has care over them and will provide for them while they do His work, and when they labor in connection with Him on His side, His divine power uniting with their human effort, they will not fail of success.
Provision Economy and Application
After all had eaten, the fragments were ordered to be gathered so that nothing would be lost, and that careful gathering teaches wise economy and thrift, especially in difficult circumstances and in the management of institutions. God's gifts are not to be wasted but are to be carefully used, preserved and shared for the help of others, and this applies to material resources and to spiritual opportunities alike. His power to provide abundantly did not make the leftovers unimportant, for He noticed the weary and fainting people, provided from five loaves and a few fishes until all were satisfied, and then required that what remained of good and necessary food be saved rather than thrown away.
Though He could at once provide for more than five thousand, He used the occasion to teach economy, working intelligently as necessity occurs to satisfy hunger and never working a miracle merely to exalt power. Though He has all the resources of infinity at command, He will not waste a fragment, enlarging the small substance of temporal food after thanksgiving until the loaves multiplied in distribution and the fishes increased in the hands of those who distributed them. The gathered fragments were not merely leftover food but were meant to leave a lasting impression on human minds, teaching the preservation of whatever can serve others. As the food increased while passing from Christ to those who accepted it, so God's truth multiplies as it is distributed, and therefore no piece of literature containing present truth is to be wasted, since even a torn page bearing the message may influence a seeker after truth.
What people possess is entrusted to them by God, and connection with Christ means doing one's best however little it is and then casting the helpless soul upon Jesus as Saviour and Redeemer with faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Limited resources need not prevent work for those in need, for God multiplied the available food and shows that gifts offered with trust in Him can be blessed and increased to serve many. Five loaves and two fishes fed five thousand men besides women and children with twelve baskets remaining, teaching trust that a meager supply can become abundant, satisfying receivers and leaving them something to give to others. Christ can bless and increase a small provision placed in His hands until it meets the needs of many, doing great things with resources that seem far too small, multiplying offerings for carrying forward His work when given and served upon unselfish principles.
Faith should lay hold upon God and expect success when a scattered, meager supply is placed in missionary work and imparted to others, so that all eat and are filled. The work is not to be stopped nor its advance measured by the means at hand, for that shows very limited faith, but whether means are large or small His human agents are to plan and work in faith, go forward, diffuse the gospel over the whole earth, and fulfill the responsibility of the great work given them. What seems insufficient can in Christ's hands meet the need when His servants move forward in faith, for God provides what is needed for His work, the little wisely used in His service increases as it is imparted, and those who receive from Christ are sustained in difficulty and enabled to give others the Bread of Life. Gifts sent in with thanksgiving and prayer for soul-saving and medical missionary work are multiplied and blessed just as the food given to the disciples was multiplied and blessed, and making the best use of available means enables God to feed multitudes starving for the bread of life.
His command to feed the hungry is backed by the same power that supplied food beside the sea, so the small amount available did not prevent provision. Today He gives tact, skill and understanding to those who come into line with Him, and this proves He will supply the needs of His children now. The same God who feeds the ravens and cares for the wild beasts gives wisdom, skill, talent and ingenuity to devise means to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and teach the ignorant, educating them in simple book learning and agriculture. By experiment He gives wisdom to manufacture necessary, wholesome, inexpensive foods from the productions of the earth to be sold to the poor at as low a rate as possible, a work more needed in the Southern states than in any other part of America and to be made the subject of earnest prayer. Supplying food to meet human necessity is one of the Lord's own instrumentalities, shown both in providing wine at the wedding feast and as the heavenly Provider of all foods in feeding the multitude, and He will not leave His people in ignorance but will teach them the preparation of the best foods for all times and occasions. Since God is the provider and keeper of His people, none are to put themselves in God's place by restricting others from using the food-production gifts He has given them.
He remains able to provide for His people in different places, and His care for their bodily needs is not ended. His example in pitying the crowd, seating them on the grass, and distributing five loaves and a few small fishes through the disciples until five thousand besides women and children had enough, teaches sharing what is had and considering those who lack the truth. Those who dedicate themselves to God may receive the Holy Spirit to serve others in caring for those in need. The truths of this chapter are urged for study to understand dependence on God rather than human beings, looking to Christ rather than to people for wisdom, strength and guidance, in whom by faith are found sanctification and righteousness.
He put the question about feeding the multitude to Philip in order to test and prove the faith of the disciples, while He Himself already knew beforehand what He would do to provide for the hungry crowd. He did this out of compassion that would not send the weary and hungry away unfed or let them faint by the way, and then supplied food for thousands bounteously from five barley loaves and two small fishes by miraculous, creative power so that all were satisfied and twelve baskets remained. The food multiplied as it was distributed and increased as it passed from Him through the disciples, who served as channels receiving from Him in order to give to others. He made the miracle the occasion for His teaching on Himself as the bread of life, that receiving His words and obeying His teachings gives spiritual vigor and eternal life as temporal bread strengthens the body. What seems insufficient in human hands becomes all-sufficient in His hands, so small gifts offered in faith can be blessed and increased until all eat and are filled with something left to give others.
Setting and Details
This belongs to the feeding of the multitude in John 6:1-13, whose meaning is summed up in the command to give the people something to eat.
The event took place on a mountain by the Sea of Galilee when the Passover was near, with about five thousand men besides women and children present. In one reckoning it was about ten thousand people, five thousand men and women and five thousand children, and above ten thousand persons fed from a few small loaves and fishes. The crowd had followed Jesus because they saw his miracles on the diseased, and thousands joined him as he walked from place to place in poverty. They listened to teaching such as they had never heard, stayed all day until evening, and grew weary and hungry from listening. It was in a remote, desert place beyond the sea from Capernaum, on a grassy eminence with much grass, where the sun was setting and they had no food and would faint by the way if sent home unrefreshed.
Philip answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not give each even a little, and Andrew pointed to a lad with five barley loaves and two small fishes. Jesus had the people sit down, gave thanks, and distributed the loaves and fishes through the disciples to those seated as much as they wanted until all were satisfied. The food did not run out as it was distributed but kept multiplying in his hands from the small supply, and the remaining fragments filled twelve baskets. Elsewhere the amount gathered is described as five or seven bushels, gathered so that nothing was lost.
After the feeding the multitude left Jesus knowing no boat remained for him to depart, and on the following morning returned to the spot where they had last seen him. News of the wonderful miracle wrought on the barren shore on the preceding day spread far and near, so that large numbers arrived early by land and water to search for him. The feeding by the sea happened on a beach within sight of where the disciples later gathered, not far from Capernaum. It expressed his love together with healing all the suffering multitudes brought to him and freeing those possessed and tormented by demon powers, a mighty work beside the sea and a reminder of him and of his words and deeds. The account stands together with Christ walking on the water and the Jews requiring a sign that he was the Son of God, and it can be spoken with acceptance to a large congregation of outsiders.
Testing and Foreknowledge
Jesus put the question to Philip about where bread might be bought in order to test and prove him and the faith of the disciples, not from uncertainty and not because He lacked a plan for feeding the crowd. He Himself already knew what He would do to provide for the hungry multitude. The need was that about five thousand men besides the women and children with them had gone without food all day and were with Him in a remote place as evening came. He would not let the people suffer for lack of food or send them away hungry.
Philip's answer exposed weak faith, even though he had witnessed the works of Jesus and had experienced His power. Yet the feeding gave thoughtful and candid witnesses evidence that lifted them to a higher view of Christ's character and office. At the same time He knew when His words would expose the absence of genuine faith in those who did not believe.
He deliberately unfolded truths in the sixth chapter of John that priests and rulers and even many disciples did not understand, in order to prove His hearers. The testing truth was meant to bring the people to decide for or against Him and to cause them to reveal the real sentiments of their hearts. In this way He sifted out those who were not of the faith and not wholly with Him before His crucifixion, because He knew they would take a stand against Him at His trial and would then tempt the disciples in their great trial to dishonor their Master. His words and actions tested those who claimed to be His disciples, for His plain testimony showed whether they would accept truth and correction or turn away when it rebuked them. That proving was necessary before His departure, to keep His future work from being led astray.
He knew beforehand what He would do and takes advantage of circumstances, seeing in the following multitude an opportunity to become a field preacher. At times standing upon a hill, He sat with authority as a teacher to give the people the Word, which is the bread of life. Supplying temporal food for the hungry by miracle, enlarging a small substance after giving thanks, opened the way to place Him in the chair of instruction. The loaves multiplied in distribution and the fish increased in the hands of those who distributed them until five thousand were satisfied and the fragments were gathered up. That occasion would be long remembered, and He used it to bring His disciples before large numbers to give them reputation, so that many would recognize in their workings that they worked as He had worked, for His deeds of mercy open a door for His disciples.
The same blessing rests on His disciples as they break the bread of life to hungry souls, and temporal food so supplied prepares the way for Him in many places. All His words are to be gathered as the bread of life and given to the multitude, and even the weak are to feed needy souls by speaking the truth in love. He never works a miracle to exalt His own power or to add glory to His disciples, but works intelligently as necessity occurs to satisfy hunger, and though He has all the resources of infinity at command He will not waste a fragment.
Christ's Power and Compassion
He pitied the weary and hungry crowd and would not send them away hungering, lest they return unrefreshed or faint by the way, caring for their bodily needs as well as their need to hear words of life such as they had never heard. He healed their sick, comforted their sorrow, and by tender benevolence won their hearts, while his pure and simple teaching laid hold of their minds and sank into their hearts. His work displayed compassion, love, and benevolence, yet those who saw it did not necessarily believe in him. He also used the beautiful surroundings and works of nature to hold attention and help them remember spiritual teaching.
Though he had refused to work a miracle to satisfy his own hunger in the wilderness, he would not allow the multitude to suffer for lack of food or go home without eating. He already knew what he would do to provide, and his question about obtaining bread tested the faith of the disciples. He then fed thousands bounteously from five barley loaves and two small fishes, which no human power could do. The food did not run out as it was distributed; everyone was satisfied from the small supply by miraculous, creative, omnipotent power, and the remaining fragments filled twelve baskets.
In doing so he relied on God and looked to heaven while distributing the small store until it multiplied in his hands, with the disciples serving as channels through whom he supplied the people. Although food was not near at hand and the crowd was far from home, his providence had placed him there, and he depended on his Father to provide the means to meet their need. In difficult circumstances his workers are to use wisdom, follow his directions, and seek his help rather than act recklessly or give up, trusting that when brought into difficulty while keeping his way he will deliver them. The same power that multiplied the loaves works continually in the growth of seed, the production of harvests, and the feeding of millions. God gives life, rain, air, and sunshine and supplies ordinary harvests and daily necessities, while human work in tending grain and preparing bread cooperates with him but can obscure his agency and lead people to credit human means or natural causes instead of giving him glory. Recognizing his kindness leads people to receive his gifts as blessings rather than turn them to selfish use.
The wonder was wrought by one greater than Moses, by the Coming One who supplied Israel in the wilderness with bread and clear flowing streams and who declared Before Abraham was, I AM, with the same power that fed one hundred men in Old Testament times. It shows that the grace of God upon a small portion makes it all-sufficient, that his hand can multiply it an hundredfold, that from his resources he can spread a table in the wilderness for more than a million people, and that by the touch of his hand he can increase scanty provision and make it sufficient for all. He can make a meager supply sufficient to feed many, showing that the life and fruitfulness of nature depend continually on God, who can also provide food by an instantaneous miracle. The feeding displayed his omnipotent power and beneficence, showed the source of his power, and his way of working is an example to follow in carrying out God's plans and in caring for seekers by practical efforts to meet their needs and help them hear the word of life.
His teaching and healing had nearly convinced the people of his divinity, and this mighty miracle crowned their growing conviction with entire belief that he was indeed the Messiah possessing divine power. The miracle was sufficient evidence and was meant to awaken faith and lead people to accept him as the Son of God and the Bread of life. Yet the Jewish priests closed their eyes to the light and still demanded a sign, and the crowd wanted to see the miracle repeated and to learn how the food was multiplied, as if it were a method they could learn, rather than receive the lesson it taught. Many sought him only for temporal advantage because they ate and were filled, not because the miracle had led them to recognize him as the Son of God and the Saviour, and further signs would not persuade those who wanted an excuse to avoid the self-denial and separation from the world involved in following him. The work showed the Father's power and care, which he continually displayed, as the food multiplied while passed among the people. It reveals his power to meet needs and his compassion, love, and benevolence, and he remains able to provide for his people in different places, for his care for their bodily needs is not ended.
Bread of Life Teaching
John 6 teaches the importance of Christ as the bread of life and of receiving His words as life, with Christ Himself as the center of the believer's life and its lessons to be understood and brought into practical life. The Word of God is that bread of life because it represents the body and blood of the Son of God, and unlike mathematics which addresses the intellect alone, it aims at the heart, addresses the moral nature and takes possession of the will. It casts down imaginations and every high thing exalting itself against the knowledge of God and brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, because it is the wayward heart that has dragged down the faculties of the soul. Study of the Word is eating the Word of God, which in wisdom and love and goodness has been made plain and simple, by bringing the principles revealed in Scripture home to the soul, not departing from its precepts, bringing its truths into daily life, and grasping the mysteries of godliness. Such study requires praying to God, communing with Him, and proving the very mind of God as by those striving for eternal life who must know His will, with truth revealed only as it is known in Christ by receiving and assimilating His words until they become part of the self, which is eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. It is living by every word proceeding out of the mouth of God, by what God has revealed, for God has revealed all necessary for salvation though not all has been revealed because it could not be borne, and His word must not be left to the suppositions of men.
The spiritual truths of God's Word as the bread of life are to be taken into the mind, understood, studied and practiced. Tasting that the Lord is gracious becomes actual experience as eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, learned as newborn babes learn to desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby, and had only when a person is truly converted and born again. The education given in John 6 on feeding upon Christ's words as His very flesh and blood means youth must be taught the law of Jehovah and the penalty for transgressing it, and that God accepts the ransom made by the Saviour for them personally when they are obedient to the law of Jehovah. The feeding of the multitude furnishes a forcible figure of Christ's work on earth: as temporal bread imparts health and strength to the body, so faith in Christ and obedience to His teachings give spiritual vigor to the soul and life everlasting.
The miracle of the loaves recorded in John 6:1-14 was made by Christ the occasion for His sermon on the bread of life, setting forth the conditions of eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God. That loaves-and-fishes account belongs together with Christ walking on the water and His declaration that He was the Bread of life, holding together many subjects of intense interest and highest precious value. Its deep spiritual teaching was not understood by the people. Almost immediately after the miracle many who had been following Him apostatized and walked no more with Him, with some of His disciples turning from Him, because they sought Him not because they saw the miracles but because they ate of the loaves and were filled, coming only for the temporal advantages they could obtain.
Disciples as Channels
The food increased as it passed from Christ to those who accepted it, and the disciples stood as channels and instruments between Christ and the people. Christ received from the Father and supplied others through His disciples, who received from Him in order to give to others. The loaves multiplied as they were distributed, showing that those united to Christ receive the bread of life from Him and pass it on, with continued giving bringing continued supply. Those who work with God receive divine grace to share with others, and the gift increases as it is distributed, teaching His followers to share with the needy what they have received.
He used the occasion to bring His disciples before large numbers to give them reputation, so many would recognize in their workings that they worked as He had worked. His deeds of mercy open a door for His disciples, and temporal food so supplied opens the way to place Him in the chair of instruction and prepares the way for Him in many places. The same blessing rests on His disciples as they break the bread of life to hungry souls, and even the weak are to feed needy souls by speaking the truth in love, with all His words gathered as the bread of life and given to the multitude. Through the feeding He opened to the disciples their work as His representatives to give the bread of life to the people, both in the feeding and in the sermon on the bread from heaven. He who appointed their work knew their faith would often be tried when thrown into unexpected positions and realizing human insufficiency, feeling destitute and helpless with nothing to impart unless they first received spiritual food. They were not to turn one hungry soul away unfed but to go to the source of supply, for God who sent His servants to feed the hungry would supply their need for His own work.
The miracle tested and taught the disciples to care for people seeking salvation by making practical efforts to meet their needs and help them hear the word of life. In difficult circumstances God's workers are to use wisdom, follow His directions, and seek His help rather than act recklessly or give up, for when brought into difficulty while keeping His way He will deliver them. After the miracle He refused to become their king, and His popularity began to wane, and He then devoted Himself more earnestly to teaching His disciples. During the event Judas helped distribute the food and saw the relief and joy and healing Christ brought to the sick and suffering, from which he could have learned Christ's methods through this service. Instead selfish desire and hopes of worldly power blinded him to Christ's methods, so he used the crowd's enthusiasm to start a plan to take Christ by force and make Him king, testing whether Jesus would let Himself be seized and expecting the people to rally to Him if He were the Messiah, and was bitterly disappointed when Jesus rebuked the plan.
When the risen Jesus broke food and divided it among the seven disciples by the sea on the mountain-side beach, the earlier breaking and dividing on the mountain-side was brought distinctly to their minds and they gazed upon Him in silent, mysterious awe. The later miraculous draught of fishes made the former miracle more impressive. Though deprived of the personal companionship of their Master and of earning sustenance by fishing, the resurrected Saviour has care over them and will provide for them while they do His work, and when they labor in connection with Him on His side, His divine power uniting with their human effort, they will not fail of success.
Provision Economy and Application
After all had eaten, the fragments were ordered to be gathered so that nothing would be lost, and that careful gathering teaches wise economy and thrift, especially in difficult circumstances and in the management of institutions. God's gifts are not to be wasted but are to be carefully used, preserved and shared for the help of others, and this applies to material resources and to spiritual opportunities alike. His power to provide abundantly did not make the leftovers unimportant, for He noticed the weary and fainting people, provided from five loaves and a few fishes until all were satisfied, and then required that what remained of good and necessary food be saved rather than thrown away.
Though He could at once provide for more than five thousand, He used the occasion to teach economy, working intelligently as necessity occurs to satisfy hunger and never working a miracle merely to exalt power. Though He has all the resources of infinity at command, He will not waste a fragment, enlarging the small substance of temporal food after thanksgiving until the loaves multiplied in distribution and the fishes increased in the hands of those who distributed them. The gathered fragments were not merely leftover food but were meant to leave a lasting impression on human minds, teaching the preservation of whatever can serve others. As the food increased while passing from Christ to those who accepted it, so God's truth multiplies as it is distributed, and therefore no piece of literature containing present truth is to be wasted, since even a torn page bearing the message may influence a seeker after truth.
What people possess is entrusted to them by God, and connection with Christ means doing one's best however little it is and then casting the helpless soul upon Jesus as Saviour and Redeemer with faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Limited resources need not prevent work for those in need, for God multiplied the available food and shows that gifts offered with trust in Him can be blessed and increased to serve many. Five loaves and two fishes fed five thousand men besides women and children with twelve baskets remaining, teaching trust that a meager supply can become abundant, satisfying receivers and leaving them something to give to others. Christ can bless and increase a small provision placed in His hands until it meets the needs of many, doing great things with resources that seem far too small, multiplying offerings for carrying forward His work when given and served upon unselfish principles.
Faith should lay hold upon God and expect success when a scattered, meager supply is placed in missionary work and imparted to others, so that all eat and are filled. The work is not to be stopped nor its advance measured by the means at hand, for that shows very limited faith, but whether means are large or small His human agents are to plan and work in faith, go forward, diffuse the gospel over the whole earth, and fulfill the responsibility of the great work given them. What seems insufficient can in Christ's hands meet the need when His servants move forward in faith, for God provides what is needed for His work, the little wisely used in His service increases as it is imparted, and those who receive from Christ are sustained in difficulty and enabled to give others the Bread of Life. Gifts sent in with thanksgiving and prayer for soul-saving and medical missionary work are multiplied and blessed just as the food given to the disciples was multiplied and blessed, and making the best use of available means enables God to feed multitudes starving for the bread of life.
His command to feed the hungry is backed by the same power that supplied food beside the sea, so the small amount available did not prevent provision. Today He gives tact, skill and understanding to those who come into line with Him, and this proves He will supply the needs of His children now. The same God who feeds the ravens and cares for the wild beasts gives wisdom, skill, talent and ingenuity to devise means to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and teach the ignorant, educating them in simple book learning and agriculture. By experiment He gives wisdom to manufacture necessary, wholesome, inexpensive foods from the productions of the earth to be sold to the poor at as low a rate as possible, a work more needed in the Southern states than in any other part of America and to be made the subject of earnest prayer. Supplying food to meet human necessity is one of the Lord's own instrumentalities, shown both in providing wine at the wedding feast and as the heavenly Provider of all foods in feeding the multitude, and He will not leave His people in ignorance but will teach them the preparation of the best foods for all times and occasions. Since God is the provider and keeper of His people, none are to put themselves in God's place by restricting others from using the food-production gifts He has given them.
He remains able to provide for His people in different places, and His care for their bodily needs is not ended. His example in pitying the crowd, seating them on the grass, and distributing five loaves and a few small fishes through the disciples until five thousand besides women and children had enough, teaches sharing what is had and considering those who lack the truth. Those who dedicate themselves to God may receive the Holy Spirit to serve others in caring for those in need. The truths of this chapter are urged for study to understand dependence on God rather than human beings, looking to Christ rather than to people for wisdom, strength and guidance, in whom by faith are found sanctification and righteousness.