Bible Study - Signs (6) - The Sign of HIS Light - John 9:1-33 - April 6, 2025

 Bible Study – Signs (6) – The Sign of HIS Light – John 9:1-33 – April 6, 2025

Only through JESUS can we truly see.

Our focus scripture is John 9:1-33.

Many of us have witnessed faith healers on television or among religious circles. Scripture reveals that healing is one of the Gifts of The Holy Spirit; there are a number of other Spiritual Gifts that equip those who have experienced Spiritual Birth, through faith in JESUS, to use to minister.

There are many Spiritual Gifts. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12 that reveals some of the Spiritual Gifts:

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers, and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

This is a list of a few Spiritual Gifts but there are many, others, and HE gives to whom HE chooses. Spirit-born people can desire a certain Gift, but GOD gives.

Folks, this is vital. “GOD GIVES TO WHOM HE CHOOSES!!!”

However, Spirit-born people can desire or ask for a certain Spiritual Gift but be sure your desired Gift comes from GOD.

Friends of mine had the gift of speaking in tongues. I thought I needed to speak in tongues and tried. Our LORD led me to explore tongues to a point until the still small voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “You do not need the gift of tongues. I speak in many different ways, through music, poems, paintings, the written word, My Word, through others, sunrises, sunsets, and so many ways. If you ever need another language, I will give it to you.” I have traveled to a number of countries and have been able to get around. This is not to say that “tongues” is not important. I know people who speak in tongues. Ms. Corrie ten Boom had a prayer language and some in my family.

The key is what JESUS taught HIS disciples as in Matthew 17:20

“Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

We must keep in mind that JESUS told us in John 5:19-23:

¹⁹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father^[e] does, the Son likewise does these things. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. ²¹ And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants. ²² The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, ²³ so that all people may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

Bottom line “The TWO are ONE” and in fact the Three are ONE/Trinity – FATHER-SON and HOLY SPIRIT. When a person is “Spirit-born” he or she becomes one with GOD/JESUS/Holy SPIRIT.

In studying for this study, I came across the word “filial” in reference to JESUS and GOD, JESUS’ FATHER. The definition of “filial - is “Filial comes from Latin filius, meaning "son," and filia, "daughter"; in English, it applies to any gender. The word has long carried the dutiful sense "owed to a parent by a child," as found in phrases as "filial respect" and "filial piety."

Thus, JESUS and GOD are in lock step with each other and trust each other completely. When JESUS gave up HIS human life, HE had to trust GOD, HIS FATHER to give HIM eternal life.

The same is true for everyone who places their faith in JESUS as the promised Messiah. Because in doing so, it triggers the miracle of Spiritual Birth. The Holy Spirit, the Divine sperm unites with the human spirit, for example, the egg. Spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye! Thus, the term “born-again” and this conception is eternal.

Guess what? All who are Spirit-born will have an eternal body fashioned by GOD, which will be released at the instant, as a born-again person, you die physically.

In our series of lessons, we are building a foundation of why a person can place his/her faith in JESUS and know that JESUS is the promised Messiah.

Let’s read John 9:1-33:

The Sixth Sign: Healing a Man Born Blind

9 As he (JESUS) was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Keep in mind that the trinity is GOD, The FATHER, GOD, The SON and GOD, The Holy Spirit. The three are ONE! In JESUS, all three are present. Full and complete communication is taking place.

GOD had a plan which would be revealed through this person blind since birth that would confirm JESUS as The Promised Messiah then and all days to follow.

³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him. ⁴ We^[a] must do the works of him who sent me^[b] while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

JESUS is still The Light of the world and we who have been “born-again” are still the light in Spiritual darkness and the battle for the souls of people still rages. “Spirit-born” people are the light of the world.

Dear FATHER, all who have been Spirit-born know they are secure in their faith in JESUS, they are the light that still shines in our world. Give each “Spirit-born” person the strength to let the light of JESUS be a beacon of hope to those who do not know JESUS as their Savior.

⁶ After he (JESUS) said these things he spit on the ground, made some mud from the saliva, and spread the mud on his eyes. ⁷ “Go,” he told him, “Wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent” or “gushing forth.”). So, he left, washed, and came back seeing.

⁸ His neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit begging?” ⁹ Some said, “He’s the one.” Others were saying, “No, but he looks like him.”

He kept saying, “I’m the one.”

Miracles are hard to reconcile in our human minds.

¹⁰ So they asked him, “Then how were your eyes opened?”

¹¹ He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So, when I went and washed, I received my sight.”

He made mud and put it onto your blind eyes? He told you to go to Siloam and wash and you receive your sight?

Miracles cannot be explained because they come from The ONE TRUE GOD, YAWEH.

¹² “Where is he?” they asked.

“I don’t know,” he said.

Why did the man blind since birth not know who healed him?

It was those who had religious authority to explore and dig deeper with the hope of finding truth. That is why people search for truth. When truth is revealed, all have the choice to accept it or reject it.

The Healed Man’s Testimony

¹³ They brought the man who used to be blind to the Pharisees. ¹⁴ The day that Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes was a Sabbath. ¹⁵ Then the Pharisees asked him again how he received his sight.

“He put mud on my eyes,” he told them. “I washed and I can see.”

¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a sinful man perform such signs?” And there was a division among them.

¹⁷ Again they asked the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he opened your eyes?”

A clue finally comes out from the man blind since birth.

“He’s a prophet,” he said.

The blind man did not know until he did what JESUS told him to do that his sight would be healed. The blind man was obedient to the command of JESUS, and he was healed.

¹⁸ The Jews did not believe this about him—that he was blind and received sight—until they summoned the parents of the one who had received his sight.

¹⁹ They asked them, “Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”

²⁰ “We know this is our son and that he was born blind,” his parents answered. ²¹ “But we don’t know how he now sees, and we don’t know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he’s of age. He will speak for himself.” ²² His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jews, since the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed him as the Messiah, he would be banned from the synagogue. ²³ This is why his parents said, “He’s of age; ask him.”

²⁴ So a second time they summoned the man who had been blind and told him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”

²⁵ He answered, “Whether or not he’s a sinner, I don’t know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I can see!”

²⁶ Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

²⁷ “I already told you,” he said, “and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t want to become his disciples too, do you?”

²⁸ They ridiculed him: “You’re that man’s disciple, but we’re Moses’s disciples. ²⁹ We know that God has spoken to Moses. But this man—we don’t know where he’s from.”

³⁰ “This is an amazing thing!” the man told them. “You don’t know where he is from, and yet he opened my eyes. ³¹ We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he listens to him. ³² Throughout history^[c] no one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of a person born blind. ³³ If this man were not from God, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.”

³⁴ “You were born entirely in sin,” they replied, “and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.

Spiritual Blindness

³⁵ Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, and when he found him, he asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”^[d]

³⁶ “Who is he, Sir, that I may believe in him?” he asked.

³⁷ Jesus answered, “You have seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

³⁸ “I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped him.

WOW! The man blind from birth knew he had encountered a special person who had the power to heal him of his blindness. When JESUS placed the mud on his eyes, he could not see who did it.

³⁹ Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see will see and those who do see will become blind.”

Those who seek will find and those who are self-sufficient become blind.

Are you a seeker or have you found the pearl of great price?

JESUS still seeks those who are lost Spiritually. Sadly, there are those who have made up their minds about eternity and it does not include placing their faith in JESUS.

⁴⁰ Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things and asked him, “We aren’t blind too, are we?”

⁴¹ “If you were blind,” Jesus told them, “you wouldn’t have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart? If not, now is that opportunity for you to be Spirit-born and become an eternal child of GOD through faith in JESUS.

Dear JESUS forgive me for all of my sins and come into my heart that I can have eternal life through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

If you prayed that prayer or something similar, then thank JESUS for saving you and making you an eternal child of GOD.

Just as a new-born baby needs nourishment and care so do you.

Reading and applying GOD’S Word, The Bible to your life is Spiritual nourishment, and prayer is communication with GOD and JESUS. Ask JESUS to lead and guide you to the church or fellowship where you can grow Spiritually and apply what is being revealed to you as you walk with JESUS.

My prayer is that you will grow Spiritually as you obediently walk with JESUS in HIS Power.

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - Signs (5) - The Sign of HIS Presence - John 6:16-21 + Others - March 30, 2025

 

Bible Study – Signs (5) – The Sign of HIS Presence – John 6:16-21 – March 30, 2025 (Excellent)

In JESUS’S presence, we have no need to fear.

Last week, we studied sign 4, the feeding of the 5,000.

In John 6: ¹⁵ Therefore, 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.

JESUS knew that HIS calling from GOD, HIS FATHER, was to be KING of King’s and LORD of Lord’s but not as the world thinks but according to GOD’S redemptive plan for all people.

Often in our life’s journey, Satan offers us alternatives to GOD’S plan for our lives and we have to decide whether or not to trust HIM and stay the course.

JESUS stayed the course according to GOD’S Redemptive plan.

JESUS doing so, resulted in all peoples having the opportunity to become God’s eternal Children by the miracle of Spiritual birth. This is possible through faith in JESUS, as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit and confirmed with Spiritual Gifts as we grow Spiritually. All Spirit-born people are to use their Spiritual Gift or Gifts, as they faithfully walk with GOD and JESUS upon earth.

Folks, this is Good News!!! Being Spirit born means all who are “born-again” in his or her spirit continue serving GOD, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Their final destination is to live eternally in Heaven with GOD, JESUS and all who are in Heaven.

Our focus scripture is John 6:16-21.

Let’s read John 6:16-18:

The Fifth Sign: Walking on Water

¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, ¹⁷ got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. ¹⁸ A high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. 

Often, the storms in our lives are designed to help build our faith in JESUS and guide us to a deeper walk with HIM.

Let’s read John 6:19-20:

¹⁹ After they had rowed about three or four miles,^[c] they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I.^[d] Don’t be afraid.” 

The vast majority of scripture translations state that JESUS responded with “I,” “I AM” a very few translate “me.” I believe “I” or “I AM” is the correct translation. The disciples knew that GOD’S name was “I AM” and JESUS was helping HIS disciples to connect the miracles and what they were encountering where acts that only GOD could accomplish.

In the original Greek, I understand this passage reads, “JESUS appeared as if HE was going to walk pass them.” When I first read that years ago, I laughed and thought how neat. JESUS had/has a sense of humor.

The thought came to me that JESUS was walking on water, and HIS disciples were struggling against the wind and waves and JESUS shouting out to them, “Hey guys, I am making better time walking than you are rowing.” That is my speculation.

Actually, we read in Mark 6:45-52 Walking on the Water

⁴⁵ Immediately he (JESUS) made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After he said good-bye to them, he went away to the mountain to pray. ⁴⁷ Well into the night, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. ⁴⁸ He saw them straining at the oars,^[h] because the wind was against them. Very early in the morning^[i]  (About 3-6 AM) he came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. ⁴⁹ When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ⁵¹ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, ⁵² because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

It seems that JESUS had an impulse to walk past HIS disciples, but HE chose not. It was a teaching moment not to be wasted. Plus, HIS disciples seemed to be trying to figure things out i.e., why did JESUS send us out into a storm and then come to us walking on water? The disciples knew what they saw, JESUS walking on the water during a terrible storm that they witnessed with their own eyes. Plus, they witnessed JESUS taking ordinary bread and fish and feeding thousands of people, with baskets of food leftover.

When we obediently follow JESUS, HE will show us extraordinary things and teach us. We have to trust and obey as we journey with HIM. Things will come up that will cause us to discern how to manage.

We also read in Matthew 14:24-33, Matthew’s account of this event.

Matthew 14:24-33: Walking on the Water

²² Immediately he^[f] made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 

Notice: JESUS compelled HIS Disciples to get into the boat! Why? There was a vital teaching moment in the making.

This event brought to my mind that it was time for the disciples of JESUS to move from being spectators to participants. They needed to see JESUS as the true SON OF GOD. They had been, so-to speak, on the outside observing miracles, now it was time for them to participate in a miracle and broaden their knowledge of just who JESUS was and HIS mission.

I recall when I soloed. I was flying with my instructor for a lesson and made two of the worst landings since taking flying lessons. My instructor told me to stop the plane at the end of where we had been landing and got out of the plane. My first thought was “I have scared my fight instructor.” He motioned for me to take off and watch for a commercial flight that was due to land. I did and thought oh gee, “I am on my own.” It was not a good feeling, but the only way down was to land the aircraft, which I did, and I remember when the wheels touched down all fear went out of me and knew I could do it again.

I taxied to where I had left my instructor. His first words were, “Where you surprised that I told you to take it around again? YES, I said. My instructor said, “you made two terrible landings when I was with you, but you recovered from them. I knew then that you were ready to solo. When you can take care of yourself and the plane you are ready to solo and fly.”

JESUS was building a team that would have to function when HE was no longer physically with them. The Holy Spirit would be their guide at the right time after HE ascended into Heaven.

The Holy Spirit is still the assurance and guide for all who are redeemed by faith in JESUS and by HIS shed blood. Once saved, always saved.

I know, I rejoice with you!!!

²³ After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. ²⁴ Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance^[g] from land,^[h] battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. ²⁵ Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning.^[i]  (3-6 AM) ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.

²⁷ Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ He said, “Come.”

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind,^[j] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

So, what do we learn? When we step out in faith, we must KEEP OUR EYES UPON JESUS, less we begin to sink.

The Apostle Paul stated it best in Ephesian 6: ¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Fellow Christians, we are in a battle, and we must suit up each day to fight in the spiritual realm, especially as the day approaches for the return of JESUS to rapture all Spirit-born Christians.

JESUS is our sustainer, comforter, protector, and redeemer.

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

JESUS loves for us to have the desire to increase our faith in HIM as we serve, but we must be careful not to test our faith. Let JESUS push our boat into the water when our faith needs to be increased.

Notice, Peter asked JESUS’ permission for him to get into the water. JESUS said “Come on in.” When we see JESUS at work, that is our invitation to join HIM but equally as important is when we step out on faith for us to keep our eyes fixed on JESUS.

Our human mind takes over when we do things or witness things contrary to what is supposed to be normal according to the world.

Let’s read John 6:21:

²¹ Then they were willing to take him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading.

When we trust JESUS along life’s journey, and we bring HIM onboard in our situation(s) suddenly we find we have arrived safely where we were supposed to be.

Trust and obey when we so-to-speak, “walk on water,” less we sink.

This is especially true as we approach the return of The LORD JESUS TO EARTH.

Keep in mind, in the end-times as recorded in Matthew 24:24

For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Read and study GOD’S Word, “The Holy Bible,” pray and walk with JESUS as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The storms in life, allowed by GOD, are designed to build our faith and trust in JESUS and GOD. However, there are times we create our own storms. May we discern the difference!

My prayer is for all who are going through the storms that life brings are comforted by our LORD JESUS because you are precious to GOD, JESUS and of excellent value to the kingdom of GOD.

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - Signs (4) - The Sign of HIS Provision - John 6:1-15 - March 23, 2025

 Bible Study – Signs (4) – The Sign of HIS Provision – March 23, 2025

JESUS meets the needs in our lives.

Our focus scriptures are John 6:1-15, Matthew 15:29-38 and Mark 8:1-13.

Let’s read John 5:31-47: (This scripture leads us to our focus scripture in John 6.)

Witnesses to Jesus

³¹ “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. ³² There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. ³³ You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. ³⁴ I don’t receive human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. ³⁵ John^[f] was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

A number of years ago, our young son and I went spelunking with his Scout troop. We were accompanied by a guide who informed us that the cave we were to explore was considered a "wild" cave. The guide had been in the cave and helped map the cave. We learned the importance of having multiple sources of light when a person enters a cave.

As I was working my way around the narrow rock wall several feet from the floor of the cave lined with various sizes and shapes of rocks. As soon as the person ahead of me traversed around the corner of the wall there was darkness. I thought to myself it would not be a good place for my light source to fail, because it had given me a problem.

It came my turn to traverse the corner. As I began traversing the wall, my head lamp went out and I was in total darkness. I stopped for several brief seconds and thought “What do I do?” When suddenly the person behind me was working his way to the same corner and his head lamp gave me enough light for me to see where I needed to hold and work my way around the corner. Fortunately, once around the corner there was a ledge, and I could work with my head lamp to get it working again. After exploring this wild cave, we went to a cave which had been mapped, and they would allow you to spend the night. It is very dark in a cave but also remarkably interesting.

It was a valuable lesson. Often, along life’s journeys we need the light of others to help us through the tough/dark times in our lives.

Be a light to others who are or may be experiencing darkness.

Remember, JESUS is the light of the world and all who have been Spirit-born are also lights and represent truth.

The world offers multiple sources of light, but JESUS is the only true light WHO guides all who are “born-again” as they travel through life. The HOLY SPIRIT leads all to seek the true light, JESUS.

Reflect back over your life’s journey and ask GOD to reveal times when HE guided you through dark times.

John the Baptist was the forerunner for JESUS, John was the Hearld for JESUS.

When a King was approaching a town or village; a forerunner would go before the King to announce to the people that the King was coming, get ready to greet him.

John the Baptist was the forerunner or Hearld for JESUS. John the Baptist was also the cousin of JESUS.

Let us continue reading John 5:36-47:

³⁶ “But I (JESUS) have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father (GOD) has given me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about me that the Father has sent me. ³⁷ The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have not heard his voice at any time, and you haven’t seen his form. ³⁸ You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one (JESUS) he (GOD) sent. ³⁹ You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. ⁴⁰ But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.

If you have not placed your faith in JESUS, what is your excuse for not coming to JESUS? Salvation is clear. A person must believe that JESUS is the promised Messiah and place his/her faith in HIM and HIS Passion? Doing so results in you being “born-again” in your human spirit which results in a new you that will live eternally, through the miracle of Spiritual Birth, as GOD’S Son or Daughter.

Let’s Continue with our scripture John 5:41 -----

⁴¹ “I (JESUS) do not accept glory from people, ⁴² but I know you—that you have no love for God within you. ⁴³ I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. ⁴⁴ How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? ⁴⁵ Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. ⁴⁶ For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. ⁴⁷ But if you don’t believe what he (Moses) wrote, how will you believe my (JESUS)words?”

The Jews had their minds made up about who the Messiah would be when GOD sent HIM to earth and JESUS did not meet their criteria.

What are your criteria for JESUS, GOD’S Messiah?

This is the fourth sign as revealed in John 6:1-15.

The scripture records two separate feeding miracles. Were they the same or different miracles? We will explore.

They were different. The feeding of the 5,000 was populated for the greater part by Jews. The feeding of 4,000 was in an area populated by mostly Gentiles. GOD reaches across the isle to minister to all people.

Let’s continue to explore!!!

Let’s read John 6:1-15:

The Fourth Sign: Feeding of the Five Thousand

The feeding of these 5,000 people occurred on the northwestern shore of the sea of Galilee, primarily populated by the Jews.

6 After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). ² A huge crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was performing by healing the sick. ³ Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with his disciples.

⁴ Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near. ⁵ So when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward him, he (JESUS) asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat?” ⁶ He asked this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.

⁷ Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii^[a] worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.” (A denarii was one day’s wage for a laborer.)

Often, a shortage of funds forces us to seek other alternatives to solve the problems we encounter in life.

⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ⁹ “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?”

Keep in mind that JESUS only did what HE saw HIS FATHER doing.

¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”

There was plenty of grass in that place; so, they sat down. The men numbered about five thousand. ¹¹ Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks he (JESUS) distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted.

¹² When they were full, he told his disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” ¹³ So they collected them and filled twelve baskets (handbaskets) with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.

¹⁴ When the people saw the sign^[b] he had done, they said, “This truly is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

¹⁵ Therefore, 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.

The people likely saw JESUS as a provider of free food and a miracle worker.

Is that all they or we need? NO!!! All humans need redemption from eternal death which all humans received when Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD. Their disobedience condemned all humans to eternal death.

This was the feeding of 5,000:

Matthew 14: ¹⁷ “But we only have five loaves and two fish here,” they said to him.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ Then he commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰ Everyone ate and was satisfied. They picked up twelve baskets full of leftover pieces. ²¹ Now those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Mark 6: ³⁸ He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”

When they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” ³⁹ Then he instructed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ⁴¹ He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² Everyone ate and was satisfied. ⁴³ They picked up twelve baskets (handbaskets) full of pieces of bread and fish. ⁴⁴ Now those who had eaten the loaves were five thousand men.

The feeding of the 5,000 refers to the same group.

Luke 9: ¹³ “You give them something to eat,” he told them.

“We have no more than five loaves and two fish,” they said, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” ¹⁴ (For about five thousand men were there.

Then he told his disciples, “Have them sit down^[b] in groups of about fifty each.” ¹⁵ They did what he said, and had them all sit down. ¹⁶ Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke them. He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd. ¹⁷ Everyone ate and was filled. They picked up twelve baskets (hand baskets) of leftover pieces.

John 6: ⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ⁹ “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?”

¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”

There was plenty of grass in that place; so, they sat down. The men numbered about five thousand. ¹¹ Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks he distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted.

¹² When they were full, he told his disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” ¹³ So they collected them and filled twelve baskets (handbaskets) with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.

¹⁴ When the people saw the sign^[b] he had done, they said, “This truly is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

The feeding of the 5,000 is the same miracle recorded by the four gospels.

Now, we consider:

The feeding of about 4,000 men

Matthew 15:32-38 - Feeding of the Four Thousand

³² Jesus called his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with me three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, otherwise they might collapse on the way.”

³³ The disciples said to him, “Where could we get enough bread in this desolate place to feed such a crowd?”

³⁴ “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked them.

“Seven,” they said, “and a few small fish.”

³⁵ After commanding the crowd to sit down on the ground, ³⁶ he (JESUS) took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ³⁷ They all ate and were satisfied. They collected the leftover pieces—seven large baskets full (Larger than a handbasket). ³⁸ Now there were four thousand men who had eaten, besides women and children. 

Mark 8:1 - In those days there was again a large crowd, and they had nothing to eat. He (JESUS) called the disciples and said to them, ² “I have compassion on the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with me three days and have nothing to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a long distance.”

⁴ His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to feed these people?”

⁵ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked them.

“Seven,” they said. ⁶ He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves, he (JESUS) gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. So, they served them to the crowd. ⁷ They also had a few small fish, and after he had blessed them, he said these were to be served as well. ⁸ They ate and were satisfied. Then they collected seven large baskets (Larger than handbaskets) of leftover pieces. ⁹ About four thousand were there. He dismissed them.

JESUS was teaching HIS disciples then and HIS Children today that HE is sufficient to meet our needs when we present our needs to HIM.

HIS provisions come in many different ways. As we, who have experienced Spiritual birth, walk with JESUS and seek to learn from HIM, HE provides. The manner that HE provides may surprise us but nevertheless, HE provides and in doing so, HE teaches us and builds our trust in HIM.

Many people are experiencing tight times but rejoice our LORD provides for those who trust HIM.

In the Old Testament you may recall the 1 Kings 17:14:

For thus says the Lord the God of Israel, ‘The jar of meal shall not be spent, and the cruse of oil shall not fail, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’”

As GOD’S chosen, through faith in JESUS, GOD still provides.

FATHER, we thank YOU for YOUR care for YOUR children, both physically and Spiritually, through challenging times. We see YOUR compassion and love for all people through the miracles of JESUS and HIS Passion.

FATHER, give those who know the truth opportunities to share YOUR truth and light.

Blessings!!!