A Day at the Lake
John 6:1-15
One spring day after sailing with His disciples on the Sea of Galilee, the Bible says in Mark 6:34, “When Jesus came ashore, He saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Even though Jesus needed rest after a busy day, He put the needs of the crowd before his own. Jesus has spent that day preaching to thousands, healing the sick and disabled people, and now the Word said: “Then it grew late.” Today, we will walk into this late evening setting at the Sea of Galilee from the Apostle John’s perspective in chapter 6:1-15.
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1. Jesus knew what He was doing!
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberius. And a large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Phillip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him for He Himself knew what He would do. Phillip answered him, “two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” John 6:1-7 ESV
Jesus tested Phillip for Two Reasons
- He knew that Phillip was aware of the stores and eating places in cities like Bethsaida.
- He knew that Phillip needed to be tested.
For you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. James 1:3-4 ESV
One of His disciples, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” John 6:8-9 ESV
Jesus does not bring to people what they want, but what they need!
Jesus delights in using LITTLE to do a LOT!
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2. Jesus can always be trusted!
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in that place. So, the men sat down about five thousand in number. Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So, also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told the disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So, they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. John 6:10-13 ESV
Trust and obey for there is no other way!
Thank Him for what you do have in your lunch box!
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3. Jesus will never be manipulated!
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the prophet who is come into the world!” Perceiving that they were about to take him by force to make him KING, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:14-15 ESV
Jesus was not going to be crowned by a sinful people, but rather He was going to be crucified for sinful people.
It is not about the miracles; it is about the man, Christ Jesus!
It is not about the signs; it is about the Savior!
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Something to consider:
How close was that young lad from eating his lunch that day?
What is in your hands today that needs to be in His hands?
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Tomorrow will be another day at the lake . . . will He be asking for your lunch pail?
God has chosen you to be a “Channel of Blessing!”
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