John 6:1-14 | What's happening (and who's involved)?

The whole of chapter 6 brings us into a strong discourse concerning the evidence of Jesus being the Messiah. The section we are currently covering highlights a means in which Jesus is greater than Moses. The section begins with Jesus, traveling over the sea of Galilee. There, a multitude begins to follow him because they had seen the miracles He had done. The passage stresses two things. It stresses that they went up on a mountain and that it was about to be the Passover. While Jesus was up on this mountain with his disciples, He looked out and saw that the multitudes were gathering around Him. Jesus turns to Philip and asks a question to test him, even though He already knew what He was going to do. Recognizing the fact that there were about 5000 men present in the multitude, Phillip’s question and response to Jesus makes sense.

Andrew highlights that there’s a boy there that has some bread and fish. Five barely loaves and 2 small fish are what were counted. Hardly a meal for the multitudes! But it was plenty for the Messiah to work with. He had everyone sit down in the grass, gave thanks for the food and dispersed it with the disciples to those who were sitting. The Scripture says that they took as much as they wanted and ate until they were filled. Once they were finished, Jesus instructs that the disciples gather up what fragments remain so that nothing would be lost.

Upon gathering the remaining fragments, they wound up twelve baskets full of the bread that was distributed. As the disciples noted the miracle that had taken place, they had one response.

“This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
-John 6:14

What would you be able to say to such an event? This is something that only comes from above. And Jesus makes that much clear in the passages to come.

What observations are you making?