Jesus Is the Answer to Our Problems and Desires

John 6

News had gotten out that Jesus was a wonder-worker. The crowds began to follow Him. When He got to this particular place in John 6, there were thousands of people…hot, tired, and hungry.

Jesus Is the Answer

Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do (John 6:5-6).

Jesus wanted Philip to learn something about Philip.

Philip had it calculated. (See John 6:7.) Two hundred days’ labor wages would not be enough, he said. That was a good answer in that it was accurate, but it was a bad answer in that he left out Jesus Christ.

Jesus was trying to get Philip to say, “This problem is too big for me, but not for you, Lord.”

God Can Use Anyone

When Jesus solves problems, He uses people. Here, He used a little boy.

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” (John 6:8-9).

The little boy did not say, “Jesus, you can have one of these fish and I’ll keep the other.” He gave it all to Christ. And he went away with more to eat than if he had not given Jesus anything. (See Luke 6:38.)

Jesus Feeds 5000

Then the boy’s gift was transformed by Jesus—and He fed the multitude.

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted (John 6:11).

Do not insult God by saying that God cannot use you. God specializes in doing extraordinary things with ordinary people. (Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-27.)

Jesus Satisfies Every Hunger

Later, the crowds were searching for Jesus again. They found Him on the other side of the sea.

Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled….This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:26,29).

Jesus did miracles to teach, but He never did miracles to attract followers. In fact, these same people that followed Him after the feeding of the 5000 left Him when He began to talk about eternal realities.

This is what it is all about: that we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

“I Am the Bread of Life”

When manna came down from Heaven (read Exodus 16), that was a prophecy, a type, of Christ. Manna sustained God’s people physically. Jesus satisfies us spiritually.

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

You should hunger and thirst for righteousness—because Jesus is righteousness.  Lack of blessedness, lack of satisfaction, is only a symptom of a greater sickness: unrighteousness, which is sin.

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him (John 6:27).

Why did Jesus feed the 5000? To teach you that He is the bread of life.