Pray / Read / Pray / Answer Questions / Journal 1. What does this chapter reveal about Jesus? 2. What does this chapter reveal about myself? John 6 Chapter summary. Jesus feeds a great crowd that followed Him, intrigued by His miracles (6:1–14). Enthusiastic over Jesus’ ability to feed them, the crowd intends to make Him king “by force” (v. 15). That evening the disciples see Jesus walking on the water (vv. 16–21), and the next day the crowds set out, intent to find Jesus wherever He may have gone (vv. 22–24). When Jesus is found He challenges their motives for seeking Him, and when the crowds still insist He provides bread (vv. 25–31), presenting Himself as the true Bread from heaven. Believing in Jesus means “eating” His flesh as bread and “drinking” His blood. Only by fully participating through faith in all Jesus is and has done will men and women find salvation (vv. 32–59). This difficult teaching offends many who had called themselves Jesus’ “disciples” and many leave (vv. 60–66). The 12 disciples stay, convinced there is no place else to go. Jesus has the words of eternal life. He is the Holy One of God (vv. 67–71). Key verse. 6:33: Bread sustains life. Personal application. We don’t need to understand everything; Jesus says to trust Him fully. Key concepts. Bread » Matthew 4. Miracle » Exodus 16–18. Prophet » Deuteronomy 18. INSIGHT “How far will they go” (6:9). This is the only miracle reported in all four Gospels. It reminds us that Jesus is able to stretch any resources we may have to meet our needs—and others’. “Make Him king” (6:15). Kings rule, they are not ruled by their people. The very intent of the crowds to force Jesus to become king shows how weak their allegiance was to Him. Don’t come to Jesus intending to use faith for your own purposes. Come to Jesus as a subject, willing to let Him rule in your heart. “Rabbi, when did you get here? (6:25). Jesus’ most significant miracles are performed to nurture existing faith. Walking on the water (vv. 16–24) was shared with the disciples, but never mentioned to the crowds. Some things God does for you and me need to be held close to our hearts, and not shared with outsiders. Bread from heaven (6:26–59). Bread was the basic food of the ancients. It is symbolic of all that sustains life here on earth. As “bread from heaven” Jesus is affirming that He is essential to provide and sustain spiritual life. The concept of “eating” Christ’s flesh is symbolic too (vv. 53–54). Material bread must be eaten and digested—it must become part of us. In the same way all that Christ is must become a part of us. We must appropriate Him by faith, takeHim in completely that He might become a part of us and sustain us. “What miraculous sign” (6:30–31). The people haven’t forgotten the feeding of the 5,000. Not at all! They ask for proof—and then define the proof they’ll accept! In Moses’ time God provided manna, a bread from heaven that sustained that generation for nearly 40 years. This question is pure manipulation. We’ll believe, if you feed us for years too! But manna was not the true bread from heaven. God has something better for us—Jesus Himself. Came down from heaven (6:33). This claim is repeated six times in this chapter! Only one from heaven could do all Jesus promised. “I am the Living Bread” (6:51). Jesus alone is able to meet man’s need for eternal life. “The Jews” (6:52). Here as elsewhere John uses this phrase to distinguish the religious leaders from the rest of the Jewish population. Flesh and blood (6:55). These are analogous to bread and water. As the one satisfies physical needs, the other satisfies spiritual needs. Disciples turning back (6:66). The word “disciple” is used in both a technical and ordinary sense in the N.T. The technical use refers to apprentices in training under an established teacher. The Twelve were Jesus’ disciples in this sense. But “disciple” also meant an adherent, someone who went along with a movement without a deep commitment to its principles or leader. It was this kind of “disciple” who “turned back.”
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 11:09:05 +0000
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