Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies
Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net
Introduction: In the last part of John Chapter 5, Jesus took on the unbelieving Jews and told them directly that unless they believed on Him, they would not be saved and come to the Father. He told them that another would come that was not true, and they would accept him. He was speaking of the Antichrist. This week we get into the sixth chapter which is a lengthy chapter and see the Lord declaring to the people how that He is the Bread of Life.
The first part of John 6 presents several related notable events in our Lord’s ministry. (1) He feeds the five thousand and then (2) presents the great discourse on the bread of life. The remainder of John 6 completes the great discourse on the bread of life. Though the essence of it is spiritual indeed, shallow followers of Christ were separated from Him because they were not spiritually discerning. Spiritual truth at times will separate the wheat from the chaff.
I. The Feeding of the Five Thousand
We see that a great multitude was following Christ in the first two verses.
John 6:1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
John 6:2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
Verse one says “After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee”. This speaks of how he had left Jerusalem which we read about in Chapter 5 and journeyed up the east side of the Jordan River. We know that Jesus was continually being followed by a crowd. Some in the crowd were interested only in seeing taking part in His miracles. Some came who desired to be healed. Many today are following him for different reasons in this hour, but few are following Him because they love Him.
Some come to receive a feeling of blessing from the church message, some come to truly worship the Lord. What is your reason for following Christ? Is it to keep your conscience soothed, or is it because you love God and desire to serve Him. God help us to be people who serve God with a true heart, and worship him with honesty and truth.
Following the events of chapter five, Jesus returned to the Galilee region and crossed over to the eastern side. (Note that the sea of Galilee here is equated with Lake Tiberias.) Great multitudes followed Him, having witnessed His earlier miracles.
It was spring time and the time of Passover. This was the third Passover, since our Lord’s baptism, and entrance on his public ministry(see John 2:13 5:1). Whether Christ went up to this feast is not certain; some think he did not; but from what is said in John 7:1, it looks as if he did: how nigh it was to the feast, cannot well be said. Thirty days before the feast, they began to talk about it; and especially in the last fifteen days, they made preparations for it, as being at hand; and if there was now so long time to it, there was time enough for Jesus to go to it.
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