This miracle shows how Jesus came to the weak and helpless – physically yes but also spiritually. So this miracle applies to us all – without God we are blind, lame and paralyzed spiritually. This man didn’t recognize Jesus, He didn’t believe in Jesus. Jesus, by His grace, had compassion and mercy toward this man – went to him and spoke words of life to him. This is how salvation is. This man’s healing had nothing to do with his faith – it had everything to do with God’s grace. Then the healing led to faith. Through this chapter we see Jesus’ love, then His power then His person. Amazing that the Jews can’t see this beauty, this grace – all they see is someone threatening their legalistic ways. What I really love about this chapter is how Jesus responds when the Jews accuse Him of heresy because He claims to be the Son of God. He doesn’t shy away from this – he goes on to show all the reasons why He is God incarnate. He forces the Jews to make a choice – either they believe Him or they will have to call Him a lunatic or a liar. Same thing is true for all men – we have to choose how we will respond to the claims of Jesus in His Word.
I was trying to do one chapter each week but I just can’t do it this time. There is too much in chapter 6 for one week so we will do verses 1-24 this week – great verses that I know you will love to study!
Philip is presented with a problem. How does he respond? Does this surprise you?
Look at what Jesus starts with in the feeding of the five thousand, what happens and what he ends with. What significance does this have?
As Jesus withdraws to the mountain it is told in Matthew and Mark that he told his disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of Him. The disciples go and while out there encounter a storm. Not immediately but later Jesus walks out to them and then as soon as He gets there the struggle is over and they reach shore. What do you think of the disciples? What can we learn from this?
Just another thought about Jesus saying not to waste. This miracle is a gift Jesus is giving through his power. Anything that is given to us by Him should never be wasted, no matter what it is. He gives us gifts, strengths, talents, etc and it's wasteful not to use any of these things to further his kingdom. Clearly the whole idea of Jesus saying not to waste the leftover food has gotten me thinking that there was a message in that.
ReplyDelete