CHAPTER 6
1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

Jesus went "over the sea of Galilee" by ship.
At the time of John's writing, the some changes had been made by Herod to honor the emperor Tiberias.
Therefore, it was renamed "the sea of Tiberias."

Jesus' travels had caused quite a "stir," and "a great multitude followed Him..."
Many of them came because of the miracles of healing.

Always accommodating the crowds, Jesus made use of a natural amphitheater so He could speak to His disciples,
and the crowd would also be able to hear.

John notes that "the passover....was nigh."
Obviously, some time had elapsed between chapters 5 and 6.

5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

Jesus is always compassionate toward people.
Many a person has come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, who only came to "see the show" so-to-speak.
Some have come to concerts, revivals, and street-preaching just out of curiosity.
But, when they found the compassion of Christ, they were drawn to Him.

Philip was a native of Bethsaida, and would have knowledge of WHERE food could be purchased.
However, Philip's comment showed negativity.
He didn't think Jesus' ministry purse held enough money to "buy" food for the multitude.

How many Christians today show negativity in not allowing the church to respond to the needy in the community?
We need no miracle to accomplish such a thing other than the "blessing" of our Lord upon what we attempt for His glory!
Many churches today accomplish feeding of the poor through the hard work of volunteer members.
Many churches also provide clothing ministries.
However, here's the problem....Many do not want to be involved in the WORK!

8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
Andrew, it seems, chimed in with more negativity.
But at least he provided hope in the Lord.
He knew of a young man who had "five barley loaves, and two small fishes..."
But he questioned how they could be used to feed so MANY.

Do we believe that when we give our "little" Jesus cannot accomplish MUCH?

10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

Remember Philip and Andrew's negative answers.
Jesus had tried their faith.
And, now, He would try their OBEDIENCE!

What is this about Jesus getting the "men" to sit down?
He knew that the men, being providors for their families, would take care of the women and children!
Can we say the same in the world today?

First, Jesus "gave thanks."
He asked the "blessing" upon what was there!
THEN, He distributed the bread and fish to the disciples, to be further distributed to the men.

Take special note of what happened next!

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

After they had eaten, there were TWELVE baskets of food LEFT OVER!
See how MUCH God can make of a LITTLE!

Jesus, Who had fed the multitude with bread and fish, could certainly feed them with the "bread of life!"
And they KNEW it!!

14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

The miracle was only proof of WHO Jesus is!
He is "that prophet" (See Deuteronomy 18:15)

Jesus is God come in flesh to provide mankind forgiveness and eternal salvation!
(See Isaiah 43:11)
And, He proved it by utilizing miracles that only God can accomplish!

These men recognized that "truth!"

15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

These men would come and make Jesus a king over them.
But Jesus is not "a" king, He is THE KING!
He is the "King of kings and Lord of Lords!" ((Rev. 19:16))

Jesus is Master over ALL, for He is the Owner and "maker thereof" of all the universe and mankind. (See Jeremiah 33:2)

At this point, Jesus left the multitude and went to be alone with His disciples.

16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

In the evening, Jesus' disciples went down to the sea and entered a ship headed toward Capernaum.
Obviously, they went at His direction, for He did not enter the ship with them.

Some of the disciples were fishermen.
They knew of the treacherous winds which came each evening to the sea of Galilee.
((See the discussion at: http://www.linktojesus.org/devotions/41_Mark/CHAPTER_6.html))

18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

Sure enough, the wind came!
The disciples were AFRAID!

Will Jesus send His disciples into a storm? YES! Especially if it will encourage you and strengthen your faith!

Just remember, as this story tells, He is ALWAYS close!!

Yes, we might be afraid in the "storms of life."
But that fear should drive us to our knees!

And Jesus ALWAYS shows up on time!

22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
23(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

The people had noticed that Jesus didn't get in the same ship with the disciples.
So, they assumed He had taken another boat (vs 23).

In true realization of WHO Jesus was, they FOLLOWED where they assumed He went.

When a person truly realizes WHO Jesus is, they will FOLLOW Him!

25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

When the people found Jesus, they wanted to know how and when He arrived.
Jesus noted they were more interested in temporal satisfaction than in true fellowship with Him as Lord.

Most people are willing to, and even seek, Jesus' help in difficult situations.
But, few will follow Him for Who He really is; and submit themselves to obedience.

Jesus cautioned them that the temporal satisfactions in life eventually lead to death anyway.
But it is the eternal Son of God Who can give the "bread of life."

28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

The people wanted to know what they could do that God would approve.
Jesus told them they should "believe on Him Whom He (God) hath sent."
The ONLY "work" a man can do to be saved is surrender in trust to Jesus as Lord!

There is none other!
Jesus is the ONLY One Who came from God, paid the price of sin for all men, then ascended from the grave!

But the people wanted more BREAD!
They told Jesus that Moses had provided bread, and wanted to know if Jesus would do the same.

Jesus reminded them that Moses did NOT give the bread, GOD did!
It was only at Moses' concern for the people that God told Him HE would send the bread and even meat!
((See Exodus 2:2-16)

But the REAL "bread" is Jesus!
Physical bread only relieves physical hunger for awhile.
Jesus relieves spiritual hunger forever!

This "Bread" (Jesus) is given in order that He can give "life unto the WORLD!"
ANYONE can receive Jesus!
His sacrifice was for ALL who come in surrender to Him!

34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The people understood, and asked that Jesus give them that "Bread" NOW!
Jesus told them HE is that "Bread!"
When one receives Jesus, He satisfies all spiritual hungering and thirsting!

Jesus came to do God's perfect will.
He provided salvation for ALL who will come to Him.
And, He will NEVER "lose" one who truly surrenders to Him.
On that last day, Christ will "raise" us up again (the dead bodies to be rejoined with our spirits)!

AND, we will have "everlasting LIFE" with Him forever!

Physical hungering and thirsting is an indication of that spiritual hunger and thirst we have for eternal satisfaction. Jesus FULFILLS that!

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

Some people just can't grasp God coming, in the person of a man, to become our sacrifice for sin.

Let me use an example.
If I do something that hurts your feelings, and then realize it later and come apologizing, WHO pays for the apology?
YOU DO! You're the one who must forgive and agree to not bring it up again.
It is the same with God!

ALL have sinned against God (Romans 3:23), and God had to PAY so that He could accept our apology!
JESUS is that payment!
Heb 9:22 says, "...without shedding of blood is no remission." And, Jesus' blood was shed "once for all" that God may forgive ANY person's sin!
Heb 9:27-28 says, "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Jesus is God come in flesh, according to the prophecies of the Bible!
(See Hosea 13:4)

43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
48 I am that bread of life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Jesus assured them that "murmuring" about God coming in flesh would not change the fact that He DID!
He also assured them that "NO MAN" can be saved unless he is first DRAWN to Jesus!
The Holy Spirit of God convicts man of sin, convinces man that Jesus is the ONLY means of salvation, and calls man to commit to Jesus as Lord.
"Murmuring" only causes man to NOT listen!

But all who come to Jesus are "taught of God" (See Isaiah 54:13).

No man has seen God, except through Jesus!
God is "Spirit" ( John 4:24), and Jesus is the ONLY "image of the invisible God ( Colossians 1:15)

Only through surrender to Jesus can man receive "everlasting life" (vs 47 above).
Physical bread lasts only awhile, but Jesus is the ETERNAL "Bread of life" (Vs 50 above).

Only through surrender to Jesus as Lord can one "eat of this bread" (Vs 51 above).
That's why many didn't believe in Jesus.
They couldn't get past the physical to the spiritual.

52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

I think the key to these curious words are in verses 55-56.
Jesus had been talking about eating.
The Jewish people understood about that.
If you ate with someone, it symbolized taking them into yourself and becoming a part of them.
It was a sort of "covenant" agreement.

Jesus did not mean that they would literally have to eat and drink His flesh and blood.
Neither did He mean that, later, symbolic bread and wine would immediately turn to His flesh and blood.

Jesus did mean that one must take HIM into themselves in order to be saved.
The door of the heart (spirit) must be open and ready to receive Him as Lord!
(See Revelation 3:20).

The "Living Father" sent Jesus.
Jesus IS life, and has life to give. (See John 1:12)

Jesus is the only "Bread" which came from heaven!
He is the spiritual "Bread" for the eternal soul.

59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
Some of those who were disciples didn't grasp the statement.

Therefore, Jesus asked if His statements were offensive to them.
Of course it would be offensive to believe one must literally eat flesh and drink blood!
If it were offensive, then they had not entered the spiritual realm of faith in Christ!

Jesus KNEW there were some that did not believe He was God in flesh.
He also knew that only those who were spiritually "drawn" could be saved.
Salvation is not a matter of rationalization by the mind.
Salvation is not a matter of desire by the body.
Salvation is a matter of being spiritually drawn to Jesus and surrendering to Him for the gift of LIFE!

"It is the Spirit that quickeneth!" (Vs 63 above)
God's Holy Spirit convicts us we are sinners, astray from the will of our Living God.
God's Holy Spirit convinces us that Jesus is the ONLY means of our forgiveness and salvation. And, it is done through the Gospel of Jesus Christ! (See Romans 1:16)

Then, God's Holy Spirit calls us to commitment to Jesus.
Once we commit to Christ, we are given eternal life.

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

That is a very interesting stament in verse 66!
In that day, "disciples" were committed to following and learning from their master/teacher.
They actually enrolled in the master/teacher's school, showed up every day to go wherever he led them.

This should be the way for disciples of Christ TODAY!!
We should "show up" for work the first thing each morning through prayer and Bible study!
Then we should concentrate on living out Jesus' teaching in our daily lives.

Jesus asked if the closest 12 would leave also.
Peter responded, "..to whom shall we go? THOU has the words of eternal life!"
Does salvation come by "words?"
YES!
We are called of God's Spirit to hear and obey!
We hear the Gospel, that Jesus is the Christ, "the Son of the living God."
Then we receive and become obedient.
Jesus is THE WORD of God! (See John 1:1-2)

It is Jesus' "life" that gives man the real "light," or understanding of salvation. (See John 1:4)

Would Jesus actually CHOOSE a man who was a "devil" (liar)?
Yes, because it was in the PLAN of God from the beginning!
It was God's plan that Jesus come and offer Himself a sacrifice for mankind.
Someone would have to be in place to "betray" Him.
That does not negate the responsibility of sin in the betrayer.
But it does show the omniscience of God!

This whole chapter has been about Jesus being THE Lord, THE Savior, and THE One Who gives eternal life.
In the next chapter, we'll see how many refused to believe that, and were mistaken.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.