John 6:1-4 (WEL) After these things, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed him because they saw his miracles, which he did on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, a festival of the Jews, was soon.
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
(1) Christ feeds five thousand with five loaves and two small fishes, John 6:1-14.
(2) To avoid being proclaimed a king, he crosses the Sea of Tiberias, and walks on the water, John 6:15-21.
(3) The multitudes follow him in boats to Capernaum, John 6:22-25.
(4) He reproves them for the carnal and worldly views with which they sought him, and directs them to seek to enjoy spiritual blessings by believing on him, John 6:26-29.
(5) He represents himself as the bread of life, prefigured by, but far more excellent than, the manna, John 6:30-40.
(6) He enlarges on the necessity and benefit of feeding upon him as such, John 6:41-58
V1 After these things, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias).
There was evidently a number of months from chapter 5 to this incident. The Sea of Galilee was the Jewish name for that sea, while Tiberias was the Roman name.
Jesus has a plan. He doesn’t do ministry haphazardly.
Principle: Have a plan, but be flexible because while God knows the future, we do not.
V2 A large crowd followed him because they saw his miracles, which he did on the sick.
This is not a large gathering of people because of loyalty to Jesus, for they wanted physical healing and entertainment in seeing others healed. This is an example of commitment only for healing and miracles, not for loyalty, obedience, and worship.
J. C. Ryle:
“Tiberias was a town on the west side of the lake, built by Herod about the time of our Lord’s birth, and comparatively a modern place in our Lord’s time. In the days of Josephus, forty years after our Lord’s crucifixion, Tiberias had become an important city. It was spared by the Romans, when Vespasian’s army destroyed almost every other city in Galilee, for its adherence to the Roman cause, and was made capital of the province.”
V3 Jesus went up on a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
Jesus frequently went up on mountains/hillsides. Sometimes it was to teach; sometimes it was to rest. I believe this is the latter reason, but people wouldn’t let Jesus and His disciples rest. They followed Him.
Principle: There is a time for rest. God made the 7th day for rest. So make one day a week, whatever day is best for you, and rest. Always remember God and worship every day.
V4 Now the Passover, a festival of the Jews, was soon.
The Passover was a required feast and celebration of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt by God Himself. God delivered Israel from physical slavery to Egypt. Today, He delivers individuals from slavery to sin, God’s wrath, death, and eternal punishment.
Even though Jesus came to be the Messiah, pay the debts for sin (God’s wrath), provide salvation, initiate the New Covenant, etc., the time was close but not completed. So, Jesus kept Mosaic law perfectly in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. Now we live under the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34, 1 Corinthians 11:25, and Hebrews 8:6-13) and the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2 and Hebrews 7:12).
We learn:
- Jesus has a plan and a purpose.
- People like the show more than the substance of life, worship, and deliverance.
Questions:
- Do you follow Jesus’s method of having a plan, purpose, and goal?
- Why do you follow Jesus?