Daily Devotion • August 20
Today's Scripture
John 6:1–15
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then 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. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. (NRSV)
Reflection
The crowd that followed Jesus to a grassy area on the other side of the Sea of Galilee was mainly composed of Jews — some who had already witnessed Jesus’ recent healings of the sick, others who hoped to witness a miracle performed by Jesus in this place.
They were eagerly awaiting the Messiah/Prophet about whom Moses had long ago spoken and were desperate to find a powerful and charismatic leader who could deliver them from the tyranny of the Roman Empire.
At the base of the mountain, Jesus’ disciples were present, as well as a young boy who had brought with him a small amount of bread and fish. Sidenote: Notice that it’s a child who provides the elements for God’s miracle!
The Festival of Passover was drawing near, significant to this scripture passage as it commemorated God’s deliverance of the Jews from slavery, with Moses leading them, and while they were in exile, God had fed the disconsolate Israelites with manna from heaven.
Facing the crowd, Jesus tests Philip by asking him where they can get food to feed these people. Philip is daunted by the crowd’s size. Andrew lamely refers to the boy’s meager provisions. They are without options. So very human of them: their fear of scarcity overshadows their faith in Jesus’ works.
Jesus, who knows that which his heavenly Father intends, calmly serves the boy’s loaves and fishes to the crowd. Miraculously there is more than enough and even leftovers to be gathered. Joyful abundance!
Jesus served the people loaves and fishes while symbolically filling their spirits with himself, the “bread of life.”
After the feast, Jesus, sensing the crowd’s fervent desire to make him their king, goes up the mountain alone.
Jesus retreats, in order to honor the role God had set out for him, implicitly trusting his Father’s will and timeline.
Psalm 27:14 (NRSV): “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Prayer
Holy God, thank you for the gift of Jesus, who suffered for us and triumphs with us. Forgive my impatience. Grant me peace that allows me to reflect on and rest in your abundance, your sovereignty, and your timing. Amen.
Written by Holly O’Mara, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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