The story of feeding the five thousand is made popular because we know Jesus as full of compassion. Many is Sunday school will identify with the young lad you gave his lunch for the great miracle. But the greater picture was that only Jesus can provide where no other solution is provided. We see here a picture of the critics, the crowd and the committed.
We also see another Sunday school favorite with Jesus walking on water. John makes no mention of Peter also walking on water. The emphasis must remain of Jesus. Jesus is in control of the storms.
Jesus is the bread of life. Jesus is I AM.
Finally, Jesus teaches hard doctrine that purposely divides the people from continuing to follow Him. We must in the group of the committed.
Jesus never selected who would be wise or pure of heart or “elect”. That division began at John chapter 1. By John 6 the masses are already clearly divided – the critics, the crowd and the committed. The committed were already identified by already knowing the Father. Those who knew the Father would most naturally be drawn to the Son.
