DBG - November 8 - John 6-7

In this chapter Christ feeds the multitudes before they begin to turn away from Him.

vs. 1-14 – This parallels Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, and Luke 9:10-17.  Christ is ministering to the multitudes after the death of John the Baptist (see Matthew 14:10-13).  There were 5,000 men present, which, if we assume modest numbers of women and children, could easily escalate to 15,000 or 20,000.  Philip estimates that it would take 200 denarii (about $1,600) to buy enough food to feed them all.  Andrew is the one who finds a boy willing to share his lunch.  Christ blesses the small meal, and the disciples distribute it to the multitude.  It is miraculously multiplied so that 12 baskets of leftovers are gathered.  Free food always produces a positive reaction, but here the people overreact and are ready to proclaim Christ as Messiah and start a war against Rome.  Christ retreats before they can take Him.

vs. 15-21 – This parallels Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52.  Christ hurriedly retreats from the multitudes that are ready to rush to Jerusalem and proclaim Him as the Messiah.  He sends the disciples ahead by boat to Capernaum, six miles to the west.  Christ remains behind to dismiss the crowd.  The disciples encounter a storm and row against the wind as they near their destination.  Christ appears walking on the water to them.  No mention is made of Peter walking on the water in this account.  When Christ enters the boat, the storm ceases, and they are immediately at Capernaum.

vs. 22-27 – This lengthy section that reaches to the end of the chapter is a series of eight exchanges between Christ and the people in the synagogue at Capernaum (see verse 59).  The first exchange is the people marveling that Christ had arrived so quickly at Capernaum.  Christ responds by exposing their selfish motives and points them toward the spiritual.

vs. 28-29 – The second exchange has the people inquire about works that would please God.  Christ responds that the work of God is obeying the Gospel.

vs. 30-33 – The third exchange begins with the people asking if the miraculous feeding of 5,000 was the sign that they were to look for.  Christ turns their attention away from the physical to the spiritual.

vs. 34-40 – The fourth exchange begins with the people confusing the bread of heaven for something physical and requesting that Christ provide it.  Christ responds that He is the bread of life and explains the many blessings of believing in Him.

vs. 41-51 – The fifth exchange begins with the people balking at believing Christ came from Heaven.  Christ responds that He and the Father are one.  He cites Isaiah 54:13 in verse 45.  Using the imagery of bread and manna, Christ tries to explain that He is the source of salvation.

vs. 52-59 – The sixth exchange has the Jews still interpreting Christ’s words literally and physically, failing to comprehend the spiritual truths He was revealing to them.  Christ goes further with the imagery, saying that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood.  This is not referring to Communion.  Matthew Henry writes: “The flesh and blood of the Son of man, denote the Redeemer in the nature of man; Christ and him crucified, and the redemption wrought out by him, with all the precious benefits of redemption; pardon of sin, acceptance with God, the way to the throne of grace, the promises of the covenant, and eternal life. These are called the flesh and blood of Christ, because they are purchased by the breaking his body, and the shedding of his blood. Also, because they are meat and drink to our souls. Eating this flesh and drinking this blood mean believing in Christ. We partake of Christ and his benefits by faith. The soul that rightly knows its state and wants, finds whatever can calm the conscience, and promote true holiness, in the redeemer, God manifest in the flesh. Meditating upon the cross of Christ gives life to our repentance, love, and gratitude. We live by him, as our bodies live by our food. We live by him, as the members by the head, the branches by the root: because he lives we shall live also.”

vs. 60-66 – The seventh exchange is between Christ and His disciples.  The disciples had not understood Christ’s words as the people had not.  Christ tries to help turn their attention to the spiritual and away from the physical.  John notes a brief remark about Judas and his future betrayal.  This proves a turning point for many who had followed Christ.  They had followed Christ for the hope of an earthly Messiah but failed to grasp by faith His greater role as the Suffering Savior of Isaiah 53.

vs. 67-71 – In the eighth and final exchange, it is Christ who presses the question.  Would the closest of His followers likewise turn away as many were doing?  Ever the spokesman for the group, Peter confesses their hope in Christ.  Only Christ knew that one in their midst did not have that hope within them.   

In this chapter Christ visits Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles.

vs. 1-13 – The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated at the end of harvest in September or October.  It was marked by dwelling in “booths,” temporary dwelling places to remind them of the wilderness journey of their forefathers.  Christ would be crucified the following Spring.  Christ is pressured to go and reveal Himself as Messiah.  He does not go with the crowds making their way south from Galilee, instead going secretly.  There is great anticipation at the feast for His arrival.

vs. 14-36 – Christ interacts with the people in the Temple.  They are confused because they are expecting Christ to be the conquering Messiah that would establish an earthly kingdom.  They refuse to accept that He is the Messiah because He did not fit their expectations.  They cannot comprehend that if He was the Messiah, why He was predicting His own death. 

vs. 37-39 – A.C. Gaebelein on these verses: “The last day of the Feast of Tabernacles was the greatest. It was the eighth day, a day of rest and holy gathering together. During the seven days of the feast water was daily drawn from the pool of Siloam and then poured out. On the last day this ceremony did not take place. The seven days typified their wilderness journey; the eighth day the entrance into the land. For seven days they drew the water and poured it out, commemorating the water the Lord had supplied to Israel during the wilderness journey. On the eighth day they enjoyed the springs of the land itself an emblem of the living waters which the Lord had promised to His people. Israel has these promises. ‘And it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem.’ (Zechariah 14:8.) The same promise we find elsewhere. (See Ezekiel 47:1-23; Isaiah 12:1-6.) And He Who had given to His people these promises, Who had come to fulfill them, stood in their midst.”

vs. 40-53 – John reveals the divided minds of the people.  One of the problems they have is a bias against Galilee.  The Jews in Judea looked down on their northern brethren as not as civilized as themselves.  Of course, this is demonstrably false. Jonah is the best example (II Kings 14:25), and others like Nahum are possible. This also discounts the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2, which points to Christ coming from this very area.

Some people divide the ministry of Christ into three sections based around three years. First is the Year of Obscurity. Second, the Year of Popularity. Third, the Year of Opposition. In today’s reading, we see a shift from popularity to opposition. Those who had flocked to Christ for the free food or miracles were having their faith tested. Many turned away. It is not that they lost their faith, but that they had faith in their idea of a Messiah. When Christ did not meet their expectations, they turned on Him. Many today claim to follow Christ because it is popular and respectable in our nation. There are many so-called churches that knowingly present a version of Christ that is far different from Who the Bible describes; a version that has been shifted to be more palatable to modern tastes. It is not our faith in a Christ, but in the Christ, that matters. We must accept Him for Who He is and what He has done.

“The Savior’s Invitation” by Anne Steele, 1760.

The Savior calls; let every ear
Attend the heav’nly sound.
Ye doubting souls, dismiss your fear;
Hope smiles reviving round.

For every thirsty, longing heart
Here streams of bounty flow,
And life and health and bliss impart
To banish mortal woe.

Here springs of sacred pleasures rise
To ease your every pain;
Immortal fountain, full supplies!
Nor shall you thirst in vain.

Ye sinners, come, ’tis mercy’s voice;
The gracious call obey;
Mercy invites to heav’nly joys,
And can you yet delay?

Dear Savior, draw reluctant hearts;
To Thee let sinners fly
And take the bliss Thy love imparts
And drink and never die.