John 6 reminds me of the neighbor’s pool. In the dog days of summer, it offered us hours of fun and relief from the heat. For a couple of months a year, the neighbor kid was very popular. We leaned over the fence waiting to be called to “come on in!” Once invited in, no one wanted to leave. As mealtime approached, we were usually sent home because we were starving. Today’s chapter looks at satisfying our hunger. We begin with “a great crowd of people” following Jesus to a remote area after He had been healing the sick. One of the disciples said, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Every family with a backyard pool understands that statement. Andrew spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” This boy willingly offered his own lunch. Jesus had everyone sit down, then He “took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish”. When all had enough to eat He told the disciples to “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted”. Perhaps the greatest miracle was that there were any leftovers! Good food was so important to these folks that, “they intended to come and make Him king by force”. They wanted an earthly king that offered lots of free stuff. Instead, Jesus withdrew by Himself. His purpose was much different.
Next we read that “When evening came, His disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake… By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them”. My hunch is that this was done intentionally to remind them that Jesus was much more than a human snack bar. After they had rowed 3-4 miles the wind picked up and the water got rough. Then, “they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened”. A mere man cannot walk on water. He said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid”. Even the disciples needed to be reminded that He was the Savior.
The rest of the chapter discusses the priorities of life after the pool closes. Many in the crowd were just looking for a free meal. Jesus taught them, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you”. They asked Him what they had to do to earn eternal life. Jesus said, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent”. The chapter could have ended there, except simple faith is hard. Many first want to see “a sign”. Jesus taught about Moses in the wilderness giving the people manna, “bread from heaven” as a symbol for the Messiah. He said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty”. There are many fence-sitters today, waiting to be invited, but Jesus added, “Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day”. Some like feeling superior by creating complex rules for entry, but Jesus said again, “I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life”. The chapter closes with a very difficult concept to the Jewish followers. “Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world”. The Jewish leaders were outraged, insinuating Jesus spoke of cannibalism. Jesus did not water-down the message; He would lay down His life as a sacrifice for sin. His death would be ugly and brutal. The Lamb of God paid the price of admission for all that would believe. After hearing this, “many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him”. You cannot just dip your toes; you are either all in, or all out. Peter concluded, “We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God”. Jesus is not a seasonal Savior. Friend, is it time to get wet?