Lesson 15: His Miracles (2)

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In the last lesson we offered some general information about the miracles of Jesus: their nature, characteristics, and purposes. This lesson will highlight two miracles: one that is found in all four gospel accounts, and one that is found in three of four.

THE FEEDING OF THE MULTITUDE (JOHN 6:1-15)

1. This miracle is unique in the New Testament because it is the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is recorded in all four gospel accounts (Matt. 14:13-21; Mark 6:32-44; Luke 9:10-17).
2. Having listened to Jesus teach all day (Mark 6:34-35), evening had come and the people were hungry. Jesus sat down with the twelve and tested Philip with a question about food (John 6:3-6).
3. Jesus told them to make everyone sit down (6:10). Here we are told the number of the men (5,000).
4. As Jesus began to distribute the food, it continued to multiply. The people were able to eat until they were full. The leftovers were gathered up into twelve full baskets (6:11-13).
5. The reaction was two-fold: they believed that Jesus was “the prophet” (Deut. 18:15; John 3:2; 20:30-31) and wanted him to become their king (6:14-15).
6. An important point to remember is that Jesus’ popularity among the people is perhaps at its peak after this sign.

WALKING ON THE WATER (JOHN 6:16-21)

1. At Jesus’ request, the disciples enter a boat on the Sea of Galilee while Jesus climbs a mountain to pray (6:16-17; Matt. 14:22-23).
2. As they rowed across the lake, a storm arose (6:18) – a common occurrence, given the topography of the area. Mark 6:48 affirms that they were rowing against the wind. The wind was “contrary to them.”
3. When they had rowed about three to three and one-half miles, Jesus approached them, walking on the water (John 6:19).
4. Jesus allayed their fears with only a few words (6:20). They readily received him into the boat, and “immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going” (6:21).

APPLICATIONS

1. 1. Sometimes God will test us (John 6:6):
      1. Through difficulties (James 1:2; Rom. 5:3-4).
      2. Through our encounters with his word (Luke 5:4-5; 17:14; John 4:50; Gen. 22:1).
   2. The nature of Christ’s reign is spiritual, not political (John 6:15; 18:36).
      1. The whole of the premillennial system hangs on this point. If the kingdom is earthbound and political, premillennialism makes sense. If it is not, the entire system falls of its own weight. Daniel 7:13-14 helps to settle the matter.
      2. Also, if the kingdom prophecies of the OT were for the first coming of Jesus, then they are false prophets. If they were for the second coming, then Jesus came at the wrong time. Neither is acceptable.
   3. Sometimes life’s circumstances scare us, even though Jesus may be close by (John 6:19; Psa. 23:4).
      1. Though Jesus was getting nearer, which was a good thing, they were becoming more afraid. The storm kept them from seeing clearly, so they were unable to properly assess their situation.
      2. The same can be said with the storms we face. Sometimes the severity of the storm affects our ability to see clearly (like driving in a downpour); remember, what you see may be the Lord.
2. The words of the Lord can bring us comfort in the storms of life (John 6:20; Rom. 15:4).