John 6:11-15, Jesus Feeds the 5000+

11 Jesus then 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. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!" 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 

Having done the prep work to feed all these people, Jesus gives thanks to God and distributes miraculously enormous amounts of bread and fish, even as much as every person wants. John gives no explanation of how this happened. Like changing the water into wine, Jesus speaks, and the results are immediate. In creation, God speaks, and the results are immediate. John covertly makes the point that the two are the same. God met all human needs for life in the five days preceding the sixth. Jesus met all human needs of hunger and more, with twelve baskets of leftovers. 

While we can read too much into the leftovers and the numbers of baskets, we do see the concern not to waste what God has provided but to conserve it. If only we had a similar concern today that would help meet the needs of others who go hungry every day. 

The people react to Jesus in a new way, calling him “the Prophet.” In Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Moses promised the people that a greater prophet than he would arise. In this case, Jesus is greater than Moses, and John will continue to make this point. However, one can sense a nationalistic fervor building with the people near the feast of the Passover, which Moses, the great prophet, had instituted himself. The people’s hopes and expectations for a renewed Israel, a vigorous leader, and a better life are being met in Jesus, who the people now want to make king. Why not? He heals. He provides free food. The people can simply sit back and enjoy all the blessings he brings just in his presence. If you consider the history of all the promises of political leaders, one can easily see how popular Jesus must have appeared on that level—a level of leadership in which he was not the least bit interested. 

Jesus will have none of it and withdraws immediately to be by himself and with the Father. Jesus’ application and explanation of this miracle will have to wait. 

If Jesus meets these needs of food, how much more can he meet every human need? Spend time in prayer bring the needs of others to Jesus today.