The most important words in life have come from Jesus, the "Bread of Life."

Part 1

“Then Simon Peter answered him.”
Jesus asked His men a probing question, which Peter answered.  “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67b).  Much had happened in the last couple of days for Jesus to ask this question of His disciples.  Will they leave Him too?

The day before, a crowd that had seen Jesus do His miracles and heal those with diseases has followed Him across the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias).  Jesus and the disciples went up into the mountain, and the crowd followed them there.  Then Jesus looked at the huge crowd and asked Philip a question to test him, “Where can we buy enough bread for all these people to eat?” (John 6:5, HSB[1]).  It was not that Jesus needed the information; He was going to give His men and the people a visual object lesson they would take with them.  Philip saw the multitude of people and had no idea what to do, “Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little” (John 6:7).  Andrew was observant and had seen a boy with a small lunch of a couple of fish and five little barley cakes.  Still, he saw the impossibility of it feeding that crowd, “But what are they among so many?” (John 6:9).  Jesus said for the people to sit down, and He prayed and gave thanks for the meal.  Then He “distributed them to those who were seated” (John 6:11), and they ate as much as they cared to eat.

After “they had eaten their fill” (John 6:12-13), Jesus had the disciples collect the leftovers, and they collected twelve baskets full.  John tells us that there were 5,000 men there, not counting the women and children (John 6:10).

This was a tremendous lesson for the disciples who would shortly be charged with preaching the Gospel to the world.  Jesus showed them that He is their Provider, He will meet their needs as they go forth to serve Him.  Here they were with Jesus in a wilderness place with only meager provisions, but Jesus met the needs of thousands that day.  The amazed multitude that had eaten the meal began saying that Jesus is “the prophet that should come into the world” (John 6:14-15).  Their “belief” in Him was short-lived.  When Jesus saw that they wanted to “take Him by force, to make Him a king,” He left them and went up into the mountain alone.

This night, Jesus will teach His disciples that He will be not only their Provider but also their Protector.

Come back tomorrow as we witness how Jesus cares for His men on the sea.

Quote:  “So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided” (Genesis 22:14, see also 22:8).

[1] The Harvest Study Bible.