1. Why does the instructor call this the most popular miracle performed by Christ? This miracle is recorded in all four Gospels, and it involves the most number of people.
2. Why does John mention the passover in verse 4? John was interested in showing chronology. By showing that Jesus attended four Passovers during His ministry, scholars have been able to positively conclude that His ministry lasted between three and four years. Mentioning the Passover also provided the background for Jesus’ sermon on the Bread of Life, plus being Passover explained why there were five thousand men. These men were headed south to Jerusalem for the feast, and there were probably only a few women in the group.
3. Why did Jesus ask Philip about bread? Philip had been raised in that area, so he would have known where food could be obtained. Jesus was also probably testing him to see if he would give a natural answer or spiritual answer. The disciples had already seen Jesus perform many miracles, yet Philip and Andrew addressed the need of these people by looking at logistics. Both failed the test. Jesus also knew that Philip always analyzed things, therefore he would be inclined to use logic as a way to solve the problem. The final reason is because the Gospels suggest that the disciples were separated into three groups of four. Everywhere the disciples are listed, Philip is always number five, which would suggest that he was probably the leader of the second group. As such, that group and he might have been in charge of logistical matters, such as food and crowd control.
4. What is revealed about Andrew's temperament from this chapter? Here as in other places, Andrew is always shown bringing people to Jesus. In this instance, he brought the lad with the barley loaves and fishes to Him. However, Andrew, like Philip, did not truly believe that Jesus would feed everyone with that little amount of food.
5. What was the total amount of people that Jesus fed? The Bible says five thousand, plus there were probably a few women traveling along. These men were headed south towards Jerusalem for the Passover, a celebration in which the women did not participate.
6. Where did the miracle occur? On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, probably close to Tiberius.
7. What was the response of the multitude to the miracle? The people wanted to make Him king by force. They were looking for a political leader to overthrow the Roman forces. However, Jesus was not supposed to take on this role. Therefore, He escaped into the mountain and began to pray. The people continued south towards Jerusalem, and the disciples were instructed to get in their boat and head north towards Capernaum.
8. What is the first "I am"? Jesus said that He is the Bread of Life. The people had been filled the day before with the miraculous feeding, so He preached to them about an even greater filling. They sought Him for the physical filling, not because they wanted to love and worship Him.
9. What day of the week was it that Christ taught in the synagogue? John does not say so, but it was probably the Sabbath, and He was in Capernaum The reasons for saying it was the Sabbath are that the lesson on manna was supposed to be read at the morning service..
10. Why did Christ refer to the manna? Moses was the first redeemer, and he had caused manna to fall. The people thought the second redeemer would, too. By calling Himself the Bread of Life, He may have been saying that He is the Bread that communicates life or that He is the Bread which is eternal life.
11. What was the theme of the sermon preached in this chapter? Jesus preached about Himself, saying that He is the Bread of Life. The Jews had come to Him following the feeding of the five thousand because they were wanting to be fed again. They liked the miracles, and they liked havng their belly filled. However, Jesus preached about Himself as the Bread of everlasting life, the Bread of satisfying life, the Bread of indwelling life, and the Bread of resurrection life.
12. Who left Jesus after the sermon? Why? The unbelieving majority left. They said his sayings were too hard to accept, thus they rejected Him. They had wanted Him to be their political king. They did not want to follow Him on a spiritual realm.
13. Who remained with Jesus after the sermon? Why? The believing minority stayed with Him. Peter said that He had the words of eternal life. God always has a believing remnant.
14. What is known about Judas in this chapter? According to Dr. Towns, Judas was probably the All-American boy because he was the keeper of the purse. The other eleven must have trusted him. He was from Judea, which is the land of Judah. Judah had betrayed Joseph many years before, and Joseph had been a type of Christ. Jesus said that one of the twelve was of the devil, suggesting that He always knew the identity of His betrayer.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 9 - Christ - The Heavenly One
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