3rd Feb 2011

John 6:1-15 – Jesus feeds the Five Thousand.

• “So near yet so far”
• The size of the crowds in this story are particularly amazing when you consider where he was.
• The North Eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee puts the crowds near Bethsaida.
• The Orthodox Triangle of Bethsaida, Korazin and Capernaum probably had significantly less than ten thousand people between them and so for five thousand to be gathered here shows Jesus’ popularity in that region and their expectation that He was The Prophet.
• Jesus turns to Peter because Peter was from Bethsaida. There’s almost a sense of Jesus communicating to the disciples that they have a responsibility not just to teach and attract a crowd but to show them common hospitality.
• Again Jesus shows His normal practice of honoring the customs and beliefs of the people by demanding that the food be gathered up.
• Halakha commanded that no left over food be destroyed.
• The Mishna [b'rakhot 52b] states the religious guideline that no piece of food larger than an olive be left but should be gathered up.
• Jesus it seemed in many ways fulfilled the peoples hopes of being the Messiah,
• He could attract the crowds
• He did miracles
• He honored their customs.
• Yet at the end of today’s passage He withdrew from their attempts to crown Him their King.
• So near yet so far!
• Many others were to be similarly disappointed.
• Here’s an unedited except from my first book;
• The Zealots hoped for a militaristic leader to set up a new world order by first over throwing the Romans...but were disappointed by a Jesus who taught His disciples to carry their enemy’s backpack an extra mile.
• The Sadducees would have loved a Rabbi who preached the extra mile sermon and would not rock the boat...but were threatened by a man who preached a new kind of kingdom.
• The Essenes’ philosophy of sharing and community, plus their commitment to a less materialistic life style, had obviously influenced Jesus…but they were confused by a Messiah who engaged a city that they rejected.
• The Pharisees thought they had hit the jackpot when Jesus told his Talmidin to do what they taught…, but were forever disgruntled when He forbid them to do as they did.
• It is not good enough simply to be a leader, we have to be a leader the ways God has designed us to lead.
• This relates to yesterdays passage; God’s leader seek God’s ordination not mans.
• Praying that I will be a Godly leader.