John 6:1-14

Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts

S – What verse stands out to me today?

O – What is God revealing about Jesus?

A – How should this change my life today?

P – What is my prayer in response?

Scripture

(John 6:1-14, LEB) After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee (that is, Tiberias). 2 And a large crowd was following him because they were observing the signsthat he was doing on those who were sick. 3 So Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 (Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.) 5 ⌊Then Jesus, when he looked up⌋  and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread so that these people can eat?” 6 (Now he said this to test him, because he knew what he was going to do.) 7 Philip replied to him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for them, in order that each one could receive a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, 9 “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people recline.” (Now there was a lot of grass in the place.) So the men reclined, approximately five thousand in number. 11 Then Jesus took the bread, and after he had given thanks, he distributed it to those who were reclining—likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they were satisfied, he said to his disciples, “Gather the remaining fragments so that nothing is lost.” 13 So they gathered them, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Now when the people saw the sign that he performed, they began to say, “This one is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

Observation

• This passage is bookended with the word “sign” or “signs”. Large crowds of people were following Jesus and his disciples because of the miraculous things that were happening. In this case, sick people were being healed, and bread and fish were multiplied. 

• I notice John's narrative voice is inserted into the text four different times. He specifically tells us that they were in the town of Tiberias, that Passover was near, that Jesus was testing Philip, and that the place where Jesus had them sit down had a lot of grass. 

• Jesus took what they had and blessed it. The result was more than enough food for 5000 men, plus we can assume there were women and children present. 

• I always find it interesting that there were 12 baskets of leftovers. One for each disciple (my interpretation). 

• The crowds continue to be amazed and proclaim he is “truly the Prophet” who has come into the world. The problem at this point is that Jesus isn’t just a prophet, so they aren't fully getting it yet.

Application

• It’s good to get above the situation so you can truly see what is going on and what needs to be done. Jesus withdrew to a higher elevation. 

• A person who hasn’t been tested can't be trusted. Jesus is testing Philip to see what he will do with little. 

• Jesus plus anything equals possible. 

• Order precedes blessing. 

• Faith (a willingness to give it away) precedes multiplication. The multiplication didn’t happen until the disciples gave the bread and fish away. 

• God always has more leftover to be shared with others.

Prayer

Dear Lord, you are the God of creation. Everything that has been made can be made again. Help me trust you for the provision that is needed. God, bring order to my life and finances. Bless what I have so more can be given. Multiply what is given so that more people may see your generosity and believe. In Jesus’ name, amen!

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