John 6:1-15 - Homiletics

The miracle of the loaves and fishes.

The scene of our Lord's ministry changes once more to Galilee, where he remains for the next seven months. Large multitudes followed him on account of his miracles—"because they saw the miracles which he did on them which were diseased."

I. THE SCENE OF THE NEW MIRACLE .

1 . It was, as Luke tells us, at a " city called Bethsaida, " that is, Bethsaida Julias, in Gaulonitis, on the northeast of the sea of Galilee.

2 . It was along the slopes of the mountain that closes round the lake . "Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples."

3 . It was a thoroughly secluded district, far from the stir of human life, and therefore well fitted to prepare the multitudes for the solemn lessons they were about to receive; for we are told by the synoptists that the miracle followed a day of teaching and healing.

II. THE OCCASION OF THIS MIRACLE .

1 . It occurred near the time of the Passover . "And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh." This was the only feast of the sort that our Lord failed to attend, on account of the increasing hostility of the Jews.

2 . It occurred during a temporary withdrawal of Jesus from society, caused by the news of the death of John the Baptist, and by the need of rest after the exhausting labour of his disciples in their first missionary tour.

III. THE COMPASSION OF JESUS FOR THE MULTITUDE . I. They had travelled afoot " out of all the cities, " many of them long distances, to see our Lord.

2 . They were, in our Lord's eyes, as " sheep without a shepherd, " and therefore "he was moved with compassion toward them" ( Mark 6:34 ).

3 . They had remained a whole day in " the desert, " and would be sure to faint on their way back, if they departed without food. How considerate is our Lord for the physical wants of men!

IV. MARK HOW HE PREPARES THE DISCIPLES FOR SUPPLYING THE WANTS OF THE MULTITUDE . "He saith to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"

1 . He makes the disciples feel the inadequacy of their resources for the work in hand . They had but five loaves and a few fishes; and Andrew might well say, "What are these among so many?" The sense of an inadequacy is often the beginning of Divine strength.

2 . He makes the disciples carry their inadequate resources to himself . "Bring them hither to me," as Matthew reports.

V. MARK THE ORDER PURSUED IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FOOD . "Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand." There is something moral in the idea of order or arrangement. It implies an economy of effort as conducive to a practical result.

1 . He distributes the food by means of the disciples . "He gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitude." Thus the Lord feeds the hungering world by means of his Church. Let us all learn our high vocation and our solemn responsibilities.

2 . He takes his place at the head of the " table spread in the wilderness, " as Father of the family; for "he gave thanks" before the distribution.

VI. THE MIRACULOUS MULTIPLICATION OF THE BREAD AND THE FISHES .

1 . The disciples might doubtingly and sparingly begin to distribute, but they would find each one's portion increase in his hands, till group after group was provided.

2 . The people " were filled ." The satisfaction of appetite was an undoubted fact. How clearly this food symbolizes the Bread of Life as adapted for the whole race of man!

VII. MARK THE ECONOMY SUGGESTED BY OUR LORD "S COMMAND . "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."

1 . A gift so precious and obtained so mysteriously was not to be wasted .

2 . Our Lord gathered the fragments, perhaps, for the use of his disciples in coming days .

VIII. EFFECT OF THE MIRACLE ON THE MULTITUDE .

1 . They recognize him as a Prophet of God ; for they said," This is of a truth that Prophet that cometh into the world."

2 . They are prepared to recognize him as King of Israel . "Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to draw near and seize him to make him King, withdrew again to the mountain alone."

3 . They imagined he was the destined Deliverer of Israel from the Roman yoke, and were prepared to support his claims to a temporal monarchy.

4 . Our Lord anticipated, and therefore prevented their design by withdrawing from the crowd .

5 . He passed the night, as the synoptists tell us, in prayer, on the mountain, after this day of exhausting toil and effort. Prayer restores the vigour of the wearied spirit.