1652. The Sign of the Loaves and the Fishes
The Sign of the Loaves and the Fishes
"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" (Joh_6:11).
1. The hungry multitude. The Lord Jesus had been followed by a great multitude of people. They had seen His signs among the diseased, and they were desirous to see other signs.
When Jesus saw the multitude, He said to Philip:
"Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? This He said to prove him: for He Himself knew what He would do" (Joh_6:5-6).
The hungry multitude brings before us a hungry race. Israel was spending her money for that which was not bread, and laboring for that which satisfieth not.
The Lord Jesus frequently spoke to the people of their hunger and of their thirst, of their weariness and of their want.
2. The multitude fed. 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. 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" (Joh_6:10-11).
When all were filled, they gathered up the fragments and filled twelve baskets full.
3. The meaning of the sign. The sign of the loaves and fishes is the more easily understood because it is so quickly followed by the story of the manna.
The disciples marveled at the sign of the loaves and the fishes, and the people said "This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world" (Joh_6:14).
A little later, Christ said unto the people: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the signs, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled" (Joh_6:26, \1911 Bible, marg.).
Then Christ said: "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" (Joh_6:27).
Then the people said to Christ: "What sign shewest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee? What dost Thou work?" (Joh_6:30).
Immediately Christ gave them His message upon the Bread which came down from Heaven.
What fools they were! How slow of heart to believe!
He wrought before them the sign of the loaves and fishes, but they understood it not.
He told them the meaning of the sign, and they sought to slay Him.
(1) He told them, "The bread of God is He which cometh down from Heaven" (Joh_6:33).
(2) He said, "I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger" (Joh_6:35).
(3) He said unto them: "I am the Living Bread * * if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever: and the Bread that I will give is My flesh" (Joh_6:51).
(4) He said: "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood, ye have no life in you" (Joh_6:53).
(5) He said: "He that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me" (Joh_6:57).
Yet, they did not believe Him.
The sign of the loaves and fishes was the sign of Jesus Christ, the giver and sustainer of the life of His people. When Israel shall eat and be satisfied, they shall believe and shall know that He is the Christ, the Son of God.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR