John 6, Part 1

Scripture: John 6:1-24

Observation: Jesus shows His authority over nature. Jesus had told the crowds that Moses testified about Him (John 5:45-47). Now He proves it by feeding 5,000 with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. It reminds them of the miracle of being fed for 40 years in the desert. When the crowds see this, they believe Jesus to be the prophet Moses spoke of and want to crown Him king by force. Jesus, however, leaves them, because He is more than the prophet they believe Him to be. He is the God Moses wrote about. Next we see the miracles of Jesus walking on water and immediately landing on shore (v.16-21). These miracles of nature show us that God is interested in saving His people. It also shows control over the seas, as Moses had when he parted the Red Sea. It shows His identity, as Job 9:8 says, "He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea." Psalm 107:29-30 tells how God stills the storm. The crowds, who did not see Jesus walk on water, still realize a miracle has occurred to get Him to the other side. They take boats and follow Jesus to Capernaum.

Application: The miracles in this chapter challenge science and logic as we know it. They also give us a great reassurances. First, that Jesus can provide for us, even when our resources are few. He can make much out of little. Second, He is present and can save us from the storms in our lives. We don't need to fear, because Jesus is authority over all nature. He was the power behind all of Moses's miracles in Egypt and in the desert, and He is the power behind the miracles in our lives, too.

Prayer: Father, what a comforting thought, to know that no force of nature is stronger than You who created it. Jesus, You taught us that behind every blessing and every event in our lives, You are there supporting us. I pray that I will not let fear overtake me in difficult times, but that instead I will lean on You, who can calm the storms. In Your Precious Name I pray, Amen.