WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.240 We're actually going to be spending a few weeks on this chapter. 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:13.859 We've really been kind of going through the chapters pretty quickly through the Gospel of John. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:18.260 Because John, as you may have noticed, really hammers home his main point, 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:20.600 which is Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:24.640 So really, every message I preach, I could have said that over and over again, 00:00:24.780 --> 00:00:27.600 and it would have been correct. That's what John is trying to get at. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:30.520 But this chapter, there's a lot in there. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:33.880 So I'm going to go up to 35, verse 35 today, 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:39.939 and then preach from a shorter section of the same passage on Christmas Eve 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:41.420 as an evangelistic sermon. 00:00:41.820 --> 00:00:46.040 We're told people who are going to come to visit on Christmas Eve. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:53.660 And then we'll cover the rest of the chapter from 36 to 71 next Sunday, this coming Sunday. 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:56.480 But before I start, let me pray for us. 00:00:57.600 --> 00:01:04.740 God, as we sang earlier, we say again, speak, O Lord. 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:12.480 We want to be people who are governed not by our own ideas, 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:18.460 not by the whims and the shifting directions of the culture, 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:20.219 but by your word. 00:01:20.219 --> 00:01:23.200 So speak, O Lord. 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:28.659 We are listening. 00:01:29.539 --> 00:01:31.420 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:31.539 Amen. 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:41.200 Sigmund Freud, the renowned psychologist and atheist, 00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:47.620 once accused people of creating God in their own image. 00:01:47.620 --> 00:01:50.340 He said, no, God did not create man in his own image. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:54.219 No, rather, men, they created God in their own image. 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:58.719 But to his credit, that's partially true, 00:01:58.820 --> 00:02:02.060 because that's what we, in fact, do oftentimes. 00:02:02.740 --> 00:02:04.900 We try to create God in our own image. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:07.040 We try to put him in our own box 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:11.099 and use him for our own purposes, 00:02:11.700 --> 00:02:12.879 rather than submitting to him 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:15.319 and being governed by him as our Lord and King. 00:02:16.020 --> 00:02:19.040 And that's exactly what's going on here in this passage 00:02:19.040 --> 00:02:21.580 as these men who have been following Jesus, 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:24.540 they try to peg Jesus down, 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:26.439 put him in a box of their own making, 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:30.140 and Jesus is unwilling to yield to that. 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:32.739 And he consistently defies their expectations, 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:34.799 as we will see throughout this passage. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:38.939 And what Jesus teaches us instead 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:42.079 is that he is the bread of eternal life, 00:02:42.199 --> 00:02:46.339 who alone can satisfy our true hunger and thirst. 00:02:46.839 --> 00:02:49.039 We believe that we have hunger and thirst 00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:50.539 that we want to satisfy for ourselves, 00:02:50.619 --> 00:02:52.779 but Jesus reveals a deeper hunger and thirst. 00:02:53.119 --> 00:02:55.939 And he says that he is the one who alone can satisfy it 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:57.959 as the bread of eternal life. 00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:01.460 And to do that, John gives us three vignettes, 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:02.840 kind of portraits of Jesus, 00:03:03.020 --> 00:03:04.120 who he is, his identity. 00:03:04.980 --> 00:03:07.040 First one is in the first 14 verses. 00:03:07.460 --> 00:03:10.100 It tells us that Jesus is the prophet like Moses. 00:03:11.140 --> 00:03:13.620 And the second is from verses 16 to 21. 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:15.819 It tells us that Jesus is the I am. 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:18.300 And then third and finally, 00:03:18.520 --> 00:03:20.379 it tells us in verses 22 to 34 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:23.100 that Jesus is the bread of life. 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:26.480 And we'll see after, 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:30.659 we just talked about how Jesus healed an invalid of 38 years. 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:32.620 So after having done that, 00:03:32.739 --> 00:03:34.599 there was a confrontation that ensued 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:37.739 between him and the Jewish leaders about the Sabbath. 00:03:38.079 --> 00:03:41.419 And so Jesus moves on to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:43.479 And read with me here in verse 2. 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:44.019 It says, 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:55.439 If you've been with us for the series in John so far, 00:03:55.520 --> 00:03:58.520 you know that coming because the signs is a dangerous thing. 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:00.640 So people here are not coming 00:04:00.640 --> 00:04:03.820 and having realized the significance of the signs, 00:04:03.960 --> 00:04:06.080 the identity of Jesus that it points to. 00:04:06.160 --> 00:04:08.780 Rather, they've come to see a spectacle, 00:04:08.980 --> 00:04:09.760 to see a show. 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:12.099 They're coming to follow the signs in and of themselves 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:15.539 and not to see and to know Jesus as he is. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:18.899 And as this crowd comes to him, 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:20.079 Jesus sees an opportunity, 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:21.319 a teaching opportunity. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:23.420 And he asks one of his disciples, 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:24.779 Philip, in verse 5, 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:26.500 Where are we to buy bread 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:28.860 so that these people may eat? 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:34.740 Not because he actually intended to buy bread from somewhere, 00:04:35.020 --> 00:04:37.300 but as it says in verse 5 or verse 6, 00:04:37.580 --> 00:04:38.980 in order to test them, it says. 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:40.480 Jesus wanted to test his disciples. 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:43.540 And Philip answers in the most predictable way. 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:44.100 He says, 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:46.340 Two hundred denarii worth of bread 00:04:46.340 --> 00:04:49.840 would not be enough for each of them to get a little. 00:04:50.600 --> 00:04:53.480 And one denarius is a day's wage 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:55.080 for a common worker during that time. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:56.639 So this is, 00:04:56.819 --> 00:04:58.659 if you were to calculate it, 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:00.279 to contextualize it to our time, 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:03.039 the amount of money that they're saying 00:05:03.039 --> 00:05:04.659 they need to feed just these people 00:05:04.659 --> 00:05:05.719 just a little bit of food 00:05:05.719 --> 00:05:07.019 is about $30,000. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:08.379 And so, of course, 00:05:08.539 --> 00:05:10.300 people don't normally carry $30,000 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:11.279 just in their wallets. 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:12.439 So they don't have that. 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:13.740 So Philip's shocked. 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:16.579 There's no way you could buy enough bread 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:17.560 to feed these people. 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:19.219 And not only is there no place 00:05:19.219 --> 00:05:20.199 that sells that much bread, 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:21.379 even if there was such a place, 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:22.680 we would not be able to afford it. 00:05:23.019 --> 00:05:24.279 So what are you talking about, Jesus? 00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:25.579 And at this point, 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:27.179 another disciple interjects. 00:05:27.239 --> 00:05:27.699 In verse 9, 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:28.459 Andrew, 00:05:29.099 --> 00:05:30.199 there is a boy here 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:32.259 who has five barley loaves and two fish. 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:35.839 But what are they for so many? 00:05:36.339 --> 00:05:38.279 You could hear the tinge of despair 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:40.339 at the end of his sentence. 00:05:40.479 --> 00:05:40.599 He said, 00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:41.679 well, there is a boy here 00:05:41.679 --> 00:05:42.859 who's got some food 00:05:42.859 --> 00:05:44.599 and he's willing to share it with us. 00:05:44.799 --> 00:05:46.219 But that might be enough 00:05:46.219 --> 00:05:48.159 for Jesus and his disciples, 00:05:48.579 --> 00:05:51.419 perhaps if they share it, 00:05:51.599 --> 00:05:52.919 just a little bit of food. 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:55.460 But what is that for so many? 00:05:57.240 --> 00:05:59.400 And Jesus is not daunted. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:01.140 He tells the crowd to sit down. 00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:02.120 And verse 10, 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:04.500 it tells us that there were 5,000 men. 00:06:05.640 --> 00:06:07.259 And that there's a distinction there 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:09.400 between men and people in general. 00:06:09.520 --> 00:06:10.360 And all the Gospels 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.980 that record this miracle 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:13.420 make the same distinction. 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:14.400 And here, 00:06:14.580 --> 00:06:16.439 because Jesus says in verse 10, 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:18.000 have the people sit down. 00:06:18.080 --> 00:06:19.200 That includes women and children. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:20.560 But later, 00:06:20.659 --> 00:06:21.599 it notes in the same verse, 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:24.079 the men sat down about 5,000 in number. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:26.300 So that shows that they only counted the men, 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:27.899 as was customary at the time, 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:29.399 especially large gatherings, 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:31.379 to make it easier to count. 00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:32.300 For convenience sake, 00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:33.219 they count only the men. 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:35.819 So if there are 5,000 men, 00:06:36.099 --> 00:06:37.839 considering that most were probably married, 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:39.339 they married early, 00:06:39.339 --> 00:06:41.259 and many of them had children. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:42.560 And they had more children 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:44.339 back then than they do now 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:45.659 in Cambridge in particular. 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:47.679 So if you were to kind of guess 00:06:47.679 --> 00:06:48.639 how many people were there, 00:06:48.719 --> 00:06:50.399 it's probably over 20,000 people. 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:52.139 It's not a small gathering. 00:06:52.219 --> 00:06:53.319 It's a large crowd. 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:56.000 And Jesus is telling them to sit down 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:58.379 and then he prays for the, 00:06:58.719 --> 00:06:59.379 prays, 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:00.779 thanks God for the food 00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:02.459 and then begins to distribute the food. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:02.959 I mean, 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:04.319 can you just picture it with me? 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:04.699 This is, 00:07:05.019 --> 00:07:06.459 it's so easy to just read this 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:08.159 because we're familiar with the story, 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:09.160 but this is ridiculous. 00:07:09.660 --> 00:07:11.580 He has this five loaves of bread, 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:12.000 two fish, 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:12.820 he's breaking it, 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:13.960 starts to give it up. 00:07:14.080 --> 00:07:15.140 And you could just look at, 00:07:15.380 --> 00:07:16.680 imagine the disciples' faces 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:18.980 just staring at him aghast in disbelief. 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:20.260 What are you doing? 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:21.160 I mean, 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:22.680 this is not going to end well. 00:07:23.320 --> 00:07:24.900 People are going to be very unhappy 00:07:24.900 --> 00:07:27.180 at the end of this distribution, right? 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:29.220 And so they're staring on in disbelief 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:31.980 and he's not even just giving a little bit. 00:07:32.280 --> 00:07:35.760 He says that he gave as much as people wanted, 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:37.080 says in verse 11. 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:38.000 I mean, 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:39.560 if you have only a little food, 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:40.740 you give them a little bit at a time, 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:41.099 but instead, 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:41.279 no, 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:42.339 just as much as you want, 00:07:42.419 --> 00:07:43.159 he's giving them out. 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:46.079 And to their amazement, 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:47.740 as he does that, 00:07:48.099 --> 00:07:48.479 somehow, 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.740 there's always more food to give out. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:52.120 There's more bread. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:53.379 There's more fish. 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:55.839 Somewhere in that process, 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:56.899 a miracle had occurred 00:07:56.899 --> 00:07:59.360 and Jesus is able to give food 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:00.459 to all the people 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:01.500 as much as he wanted. 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:03.779 And not only that, 00:08:03.919 --> 00:08:05.079 verses 12 to 13, 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:05.620 says, 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:07.079 when they had eaten their fill, 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:08.079 they gathered up 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:10.139 and filled 12 baskets 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:11.180 with fragments 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:12.659 from the five barley loaves 00:08:12.659 --> 00:08:14.719 left by those who had eaten. 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:16.399 There was more food 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:17.360 left over at the end 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:18.279 than there was 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:19.099 at the beginning. 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:21.879 And it's almost certainly significant 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:23.899 that they filled 12 baskets 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:26.199 because there's 12 tribes 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:26.959 of Israel. 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:29.159 So in filling 12 baskets 00:08:29.159 --> 00:08:31.099 full with the leftover bread, 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:31.840 that Jesus shows 00:08:31.840 --> 00:08:33.019 that he is the one 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:34.279 who can fulfill the need 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:35.060 and meet the need 00:08:35.060 --> 00:08:36.399 of all his people, 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:37.879 all of God's people, 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:38.259 Israel. 00:08:39.540 --> 00:08:41.100 And so we're going to come back 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:42.019 to this main point, 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:43.100 what the meaning 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:43.899 of this miracle is 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:44.560 in a second. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:45.500 But before we do that, 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:46.580 I want to make two, 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.820 it's a digression, 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:49.899 but two side points 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:52.100 that are illustrated here 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:53.240 about how Christians 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:54.120 have to relate to food 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:55.740 and what Jesus does here. 00:08:55.820 --> 00:08:56.360 It's interesting. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:57.840 And first is, 00:08:57.980 --> 00:08:58.220 of course, 00:08:58.220 --> 00:08:59.580 the familiar practice 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:00.700 of thanking God. 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:02.740 We thank God for the food. 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:05.820 And throughout the Bible, 00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:07.180 we see more examples of, 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:08.080 there is one instance 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:10.019 where Jesus blesses the food, 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:11.700 but almost every other instance, 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:13.440 Jesus rather blesses God 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:14.200 for the food. 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:15.639 He thanks God for the food. 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:16.899 That's as if he prays. 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:20.019 And this is so familiar 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:20.980 to many Christians 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:21.980 that we don't think 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.120 it's very radical at all. 00:09:23.180 --> 00:09:23.879 But if you think about it 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:24.460 from the perspective 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:25.460 of an unbeliever, 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:28.200 it's a very radical practice. 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:29.680 to pray and to thank God 00:09:29.680 --> 00:09:30.240 for your food. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:30.740 Because, I mean, 00:09:30.800 --> 00:09:31.460 in their mind, 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:31.740 they're saying, 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:33.259 well, I worked hard 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.000 to get the money 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.240 and I used the money 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:36.220 to buy the ingredients 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:37.879 and I used the ingredients 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:38.840 to make the food, 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:40.980 so why do I have to thank God for it? 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:41.180 I mean, 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:42.399 I did everything 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:42.940 that I need to do 00:09:42.940 --> 00:09:43.300 to thank, 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:44.360 why should I thank God 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:44.820 for this food? 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.139 But Christians, 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:47.519 so this is a very subversive thing. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:48.700 That's the way 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:49.519 we are conditioned 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:51.080 to thank in this culture. 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:52.200 But by thanking God 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:53.139 before our meals, 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:54.100 we are acknowledging 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:55.160 that even something 00:09:55.160 --> 00:09:55.960 as ordinary 00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:56.780 and customary 00:09:56.780 --> 00:09:58.259 as everyday food 00:09:58.259 --> 00:10:00.240 is ultimately from God. 00:10:00.920 --> 00:10:02.180 We're recognizing that 00:10:02.180 --> 00:10:02.780 as we pray, 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:03.720 as we thank God for it. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:05.160 It's not a meaningless 00:10:05.160 --> 00:10:06.000 road exercise. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.000 As we do that, 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:08.639 we're forming habits 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:10.340 that form our affections 00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:11.420 and understanding of God. 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:14.060 And that's the first thing. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:14.840 And the second thing 00:10:14.840 --> 00:10:17.300 is that after performing 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:18.259 this amazing miracle, 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:19.920 John takes care to note 00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:20.960 that Jesus said, 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:21.980 in verse 12, 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:24.700 gather up the leftover fragments 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:26.779 that nothing may be lost. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:28.399 Isn't that interesting? 00:10:28.940 --> 00:10:29.940 Jesus just multiplied 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:30.980 five loaves of bread 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:31.860 and he didn't have 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:33.019 to pay a dime for it. 00:10:33.460 --> 00:10:36.060 He'd fed 20,000 people with this. 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:36.680 He could do that 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:37.580 whenever he wants. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:38.740 Why is he so concerned 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:39.600 about gathering up 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:40.139 the leftovers? 00:10:41.539 --> 00:10:42.759 And it's not because 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:43.399 he's preparing 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:44.460 for future scarcity. 00:10:45.019 --> 00:10:45.320 Rather, 00:10:45.420 --> 00:10:46.580 he's trying to teach 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:48.120 a principle of stewardship. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:50.420 The idea of Christian stewardship. 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:51.339 Here, 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:52.559 that the heart of Christian stewardship 00:10:52.559 --> 00:10:53.179 is the idea 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:54.939 that God ultimately exercises 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:56.459 discretionary right 00:10:56.459 --> 00:10:57.740 over all of creation. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:58.879 It's his. 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:00.079 He's the owner. 00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:01.139 It belongs to him. 00:11:01.219 --> 00:11:02.179 Everything we have. 00:11:02.939 --> 00:11:03.659 And that means 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:05.019 we are just managers 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:06.120 or stewards 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:08.439 of what belongs to God. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.019 So think about it this way. 00:11:10.079 --> 00:11:11.719 A property manager of a house 00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:13.039 can't do whatever 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.199 he wants to do with the house. 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:14.879 He can't make 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:15.620 whatever renovations 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:16.419 he wants with the house 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:17.500 because the house 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:18.659 doesn't belong to him. 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:19.799 He's a manager. 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:21.120 He's not the owner. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:22.679 In the same way, 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.859 a financial advisor 00:11:23.859 --> 00:11:25.259 can't do whatever 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:26.279 he wants with the money 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:27.599 that his clients have given him 00:11:27.599 --> 00:11:28.740 because that's not his money. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.439 But he needs to maximize 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:30.939 the profit, 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:32.299 the interest for his client. 00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:33.559 He's just a steward, 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:34.399 just a manager. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:36.059 In the same way, 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.079 for us as Christians, 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:37.740 we have to recognize 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.519 that everything we have, 00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:40.759 every relationship, 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:43.039 every hour, minute, 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:45.099 we have everything we eat, 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:46.199 all that we have 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:47.139 is ultimately from God. 00:11:47.219 --> 00:11:48.139 He's the owner. 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.500 We're just stewards. 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:50.879 We're managers. 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:52.740 And that, 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:53.699 it's a simple 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:54.699 but profound concept. 00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:55.579 If we get that right, 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.620 it radically changes 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.819 the way we understand 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:59.279 and do a lot of things. 00:11:59.959 --> 00:12:00.620 For example, 00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:01.679 if our bodies are given 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:02.559 to us by God 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:02.979 and they belong 00:12:02.979 --> 00:12:03.939 ultimately to him, 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:05.579 we should neither abuse it 00:12:05.579 --> 00:12:06.919 nor indulge it. 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:10.139 And if all the money 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.759 that we have 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.719 has been given to us 00:12:11.719 --> 00:12:12.179 by God, 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:13.120 they belong to him, 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.219 ultimately we're just stewards, 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:15.659 then we neither have 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:16.959 the right to be stingy with it 00:12:16.959 --> 00:12:17.579 when an opportunity 00:12:17.579 --> 00:12:18.779 to be generous arises. 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:20.319 But we also don't have 00:12:20.319 --> 00:12:23.339 the right to be spent with, 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:24.059 to spend it on 00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:24.839 whatever we wish. 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.259 We're just stewards. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:27.919 We manage God's money. 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.259 In the same way, 00:12:30.339 --> 00:12:30.639 food, 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.679 Jesus says here, 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:33.799 ultimately belongs to God. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.939 So we should steward, 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:36.439 not buying or eating 00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:37.259 more than we need 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:38.179 and not wasting 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.019 what we have left. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:39.860 That's what Jesus 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:40.699 is talking about here. 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:42.600 So there might be 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.360 a pertinent lesson 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.360 for the kids 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.420 if you have parents 00:12:45.420 --> 00:12:45.980 who have kids 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:46.660 and keep believing 00:12:46.660 --> 00:12:47.160 leftovers. 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:47.900 It's a good way 00:12:47.900 --> 00:12:48.440 to teach them 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:49.200 about stewardship, 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.160 about God 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:51.480 and how he is the owner 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.120 of all things. 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:53.379 But now, 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.520 getting back to the main point, 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:55.460 that's the end 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.040 of that digression. 00:12:56.180 --> 00:12:57.400 What's Jesus' 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.420 multiplication of the bread 00:12:59.420 --> 00:13:00.400 and fish mean? 00:13:00.640 --> 00:13:01.680 Why did he perform 00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:02.200 this miracle? 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:03.500 Because a sign 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.280 by its nature 00:13:04.280 --> 00:13:05.420 points to something, 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:05.920 right? 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:06.780 It points to something 00:13:06.780 --> 00:13:07.700 beyond itself. 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:09.379 So what does this sign 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.280 of Jesus multiplying 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:11.000 the bread and the fish 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:11.640 point to? 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:13.740 And people, 00:13:14.020 --> 00:13:14.540 it's the clues 00:13:14.540 --> 00:13:17.780 in verses 15 and 14 00:13:17.780 --> 00:13:18.620 because it says, 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:20.340 when people saw the sign 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:21.340 that he had done, 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:21.920 they said, 00:13:22.420 --> 00:13:23.540 this is indeed 00:13:23.540 --> 00:13:24.320 the prophet 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:25.180 who was to come 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.400 into the world. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.540 The prophet 00:13:28.540 --> 00:13:29.140 who was to come 00:13:29.140 --> 00:13:29.680 into the world 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.879 is an allusion 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:32.320 to Deuteronomy 18, 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.400 15 to 9, 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:35.040 which prophesied of 00:13:35.040 --> 00:13:35.920 and promised 00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:37.580 a prophet-like 00:13:37.580 --> 00:13:38.139 Moses. 00:13:38.520 --> 00:13:38.759 He said, 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.320 another prophet 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:39.980 arrives who is 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.920 a prophet-like 00:13:40.920 --> 00:13:41.920 Moses. 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:43.580 And Moses, 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.400 if you recall, 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:45.580 gave Israelites 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.280 manna, 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.360 bread from heaven 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:48.060 in the wilderness 00:13:48.060 --> 00:13:49.460 after the Exodus. 00:13:50.060 --> 00:13:51.040 And in a similar way, 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:51.960 Jesus here 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:52.960 provides bread 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.900 for the Israelites 00:13:53.900 --> 00:13:54.900 in the wilderness. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:55.720 And he leaves 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.840 12 baskets full 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:57.460 to indicate 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:59.660 that his provision 00:13:59.660 --> 00:14:00.160 is sufficient 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:01.220 for all of Israel. 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:02.100 And moreover, 00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:02.860 the fact that 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:03.440 it's mentioned 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:04.140 in verse 4 00:14:04.140 --> 00:14:04.720 that this happened 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.540 during the Passover 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.900 is also making 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.439 this connection 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:08.179 even stronger 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.100 because Passover 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:10.399 was the last event, 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.699 the last sign 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:12.899 that God performed 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:14.079 that led to 00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:15.120 Israel's ultimate 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.319 exodus and liberation 00:14:16.319 --> 00:14:17.360 from slavery in Egypt. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.579 And it happens 00:14:18.579 --> 00:14:19.179 during that time. 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.019 So people have that 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.579 in their minds 00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:21.399 and they see 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:22.000 that Jesus 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.019 is the promised 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.759 prophet like Moses. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:26.840 And so they're making 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:27.819 the correct connection 00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:29.279 here with biblical prophecy. 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:30.019 However, 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:30.939 they take it 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:32.500 one step further 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.939 than they should have 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:35.320 because they make 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:35.760 the deduction 00:14:35.760 --> 00:14:37.160 that since Moses 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:38.320 let God's people 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:39.700 out of slavery in Egypt, 00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:41.020 then this new Moses 00:14:41.020 --> 00:14:41.820 that we have here, 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:43.160 this new Messiah, 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.640 should also lead us 00:14:44.640 --> 00:14:46.480 out of our servitude 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:48.220 to the Roman Empire. 00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:50.340 And so they have 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.040 it in their mind. 00:14:51.760 --> 00:14:52.120 Look, 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.640 we have 20,000 people here, 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.960 5,000 men, 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.780 perhaps more will gather 00:14:56.780 --> 00:14:57.800 once we have a cause. 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:58.940 That's a sizable, 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.200 that's a formidable militia. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.760 Maybe they could have 00:15:01.760 --> 00:15:02.700 waged successful 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:03.680 guerrilla warfare. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:04.419 Right? 00:15:04.479 --> 00:15:05.620 So they come to, 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.459 they put their heads together 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:06.639 and say, 00:15:06.739 --> 00:15:06.859 well, 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:07.919 let's force him 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:08.479 to be our king. 00:15:08.599 --> 00:15:09.819 Let's make him our king 00:15:09.819 --> 00:15:10.959 to lead us 00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:12.559 into the new exodus 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:13.979 out of this servitude 00:15:13.979 --> 00:15:15.079 to Roman Emperor. 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:17.000 But Jesus 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.199 doesn't want anything 00:15:18.199 --> 00:15:18.919 to do with that. 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.599 Because he's not interested 00:15:21.599 --> 00:15:22.099 in creating 00:15:22.099 --> 00:15:23.439 his own earthly kingdom, 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.500 but rather he has come 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:24.899 to announce 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:26.579 a spiritual kingdom. 00:15:26.979 --> 00:15:27.599 He doesn't want 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:28.199 to stage 00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:29.599 a military rebellion. 00:15:30.199 --> 00:15:30.679 And so it says 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:31.500 in verse 15, 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:32.659 perceiving then 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.339 that they were about 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:33.780 to come 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:34.340 and take him 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:35.000 by force 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.800 to make him king, 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:37.560 Jesus withdrew again 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.160 to the mountain 00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:39.040 by himself. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.280 Suppressed in 00:15:41.280 --> 00:15:42.019 by a crowd 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:43.560 that wants to make him 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:44.720 fit their mold 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.519 and expectations. 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.580 Jesus withdraws 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.019 the mountain 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.580 by himself. 00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.820 That's the first vineyard. 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.720 Jesus is the prophet 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.720 like Moses, 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.620 but not what people 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.540 expect of him. 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.360 And the second 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.620 vineyard begins 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.379 in verse 16. 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.740 Read verses 16 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.740 to 21 with me. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.180 When evening came, 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.279 his disciples 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.200 went down 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:05.799 to the sea, 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:07.039 got into a boat, 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:08.320 and started across 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:09.480 the sea to Capernaum. 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.360 It was now dark 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.360 and Jesus had not 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.440 yet come to them. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.220 The sea became 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:15.680 rough 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:17.580 because a strong wind 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.159 was blowing. 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:19.240 And when they had 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.000 rowed about three 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.740 or four miles, 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.840 they saw Jesus 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.960 walking 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:24.320 on the sea 00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:25.700 and coming 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.879 near the boat. 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.040 And they were 00:16:28.040 --> 00:16:28.480 frightened. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:30.340 But he said to them, 00:16:30.760 --> 00:16:31.640 It is I. 00:16:32.280 --> 00:16:33.420 Do not be afraid. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.240 Then they were glad 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:35.860 to take him 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.379 into the boat. 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.300 And immediately 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:38.300 the boat was at 00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:38.820 the land 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:39.300 to which 00:16:39.300 --> 00:16:40.240 they were going. 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:43.040 The Sea of Galilee 00:16:43.040 --> 00:16:44.160 lies about 00:16:44.160 --> 00:16:45.440 600 feet 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.300 below sea level. 00:16:46.780 --> 00:16:47.640 And it happened 00:16:47.640 --> 00:16:48.280 quite frequently 00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:49.240 that the wind 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.140 from the 00:16:50.140 --> 00:16:51.480 Southeastern plains 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.320 would come 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.100 and it would 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.120 just interact 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.379 and displace 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.879 the warm, 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.519 moist air 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:56.960 in the lake 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.539 and that would 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.360 cause a violent 00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:58.759 squall. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.340 So that was 00:16:59.340 --> 00:16:59.899 very common 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.519 for storms 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.080 to just suddenly 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:02.179 come in the 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:02.840 Sea of Galilee. 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:03.679 And that's what 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.099 seems to have 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:04.599 happened here 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:04.980 to Jesus' 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:05.460 disciple. 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:05.960 They're caught 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.559 in one of these. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:07.940 And so in verse 18, 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.660 the sea became 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.220 rough because 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.740 a strong wind 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.259 was blowing. 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.259 But as they're 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:11.900 struggling with 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.400 their oars, 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.160 because in this 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:13.640 kind of wind 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:14.519 sail is useless, 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.099 so they're using 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:15.940 oars to get out 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:16.799 and they're being 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.579 tossed to and fro 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.220 by the waves, 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.519 they see Jesus 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:21.779 walking on the sea 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:24.000 and coming near 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.420 their boat. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.079 And they are 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.019 understandably 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.519 frightened. 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.880 Because Jesus is 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:29.279 doing something 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.819 that humans are 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.460 not supposed to 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:30.700 do. 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.299 They're not 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:31.740 supposed to 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.240 walk on water. 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.680 In the same 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.319 way, if we're in 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:33.680 our room, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.240 somebody just 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.799 suddenly started 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.319 levitating, 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:35.900 we'd be frightened 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.200 too. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.480 What's going on? 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.180 Why is that 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:38.519 happening? 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.599 So they're 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:39.980 frightened. 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.559 But Jesus 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.500 reassures them 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.420 in verse 20, 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.220 saying, it is 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:44.600 I. 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.920 Do not be 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.519 afraid. 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:46.980 He's saying, 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.360 it's me. 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.000 Don't worry. 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:49.720 But to the 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.900 people, that's 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:52.640 the normal way 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:53.200 to say, that's 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:53.400 me. 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.100 It's me, so 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:54.460 don't worry 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:54.800 about it. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.460 But for the 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:55.960 people that are 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:56.720 reading, the 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.640 people that John 00:17:58.640 --> 00:18:00.380 intended this 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.620 gospel to speak 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:03.259 to and to be 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:05.460 read by, this is 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.160 more than a 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:06.900 simple phrase, 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.660 it is I. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:09.120 Because the 00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:10.060 phrase for it 00:18:10.060 --> 00:18:10.900 is I literally 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:12.540 is I am. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.480 And that's 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.460 the name of 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.280 God revealed 00:18:16.280 --> 00:18:17.259 to Moses at 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.040 the time of 00:18:18.040 --> 00:18:18.460 the Exodus. 00:18:18.620 --> 00:18:19.140 Again, another 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.860 Exodus connection 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:20.860 in chapter 3, 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:22.019 verse 14, where 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.580 God said to 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.740 Moses, I am 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.740 who I am. 00:18:25.100 --> 00:18:25.940 Say this to 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.500 the people of 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:26.960 Israel. 00:18:27.300 --> 00:18:28.540 I am has 00:18:28.540 --> 00:18:29.680 sent me to 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.100 you. 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.480 So by 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.580 connecting Jesus' 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:33.920 self-identification 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.840 with God, 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.600 with God's 00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:37.380 self-revelation 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:37.880 in Exodus, 00:18:38.040 --> 00:18:38.740 John's declaring 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.920 that Jesus is 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.580 God. 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.759 He is the 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.180 Son of God. 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.040 He is the 00:18:43.040 --> 00:18:44.740 great I am. 00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:46.320 And this is 00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:46.800 all the more 00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:47.320 pertinent in 00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:48.100 this particular 00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:48.980 miracle because 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.019 Jesus is 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.900 walking on 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.400 the water. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.280 If you 00:18:52.280 --> 00:18:53.700 peruse the 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.280 Old Testament, 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:55.320 there are many 00:18:55.320 --> 00:18:56.100 prophets who 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:56.940 do miracles 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.440 related to 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:57.840 the water. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.280 So Moses 00:18:59.280 --> 00:18:59.860 parted the 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.420 Red Sea, 00:19:00.800 --> 00:19:01.320 Elijah and 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:02.019 Elijah both 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.620 parted the 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.360 rivers. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.840 They part 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.940 water, but 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.820 no one 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:08.300 walks on 00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:08.620 water. 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.740 In fact, it 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.160 says in 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.059 Psalm 77, 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.240 19, only 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.599 God is 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:14.059 seen as 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.720 walking on 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.000 the water. 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:15.500 Water is 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:15.740 seen as 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.339 his path. 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.620 It says, 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.420 your way was 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:17.839 through the 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.440 sea, your 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.079 path through 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:19.440 the great 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.240 waters, yet 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.920 your footprints 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:22.000 were unseen. 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.519 Water is 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.779 frequently seen 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.099 in the Old 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.519 Testament as a 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.859 place of 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.359 chaos and 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.079 disorder, and 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.839 only God 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.440 was understood 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:28.859 to be able to 00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:29.819 control it, to 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.339 tame it. 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:30.980 And Jesus 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.079 shows here his 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.000 mastery over 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.180 the storm, over 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.440 the elements, and 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.480 proclaims that he 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.160 is the divine 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:38.420 I am. 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.960 So we saw 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.400 that he was 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:40.820 the prophet 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.720 like Moses, and 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.279 we see here 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.120 that he is the 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.680 great I am. 00:19:46.040 --> 00:19:46.620 And then 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.279 finally, in the 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:47.920 third and 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.500 climactic 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:49.279 vignette, we 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.000 return to the 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.900 original sign of 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.380 the multiplication 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:51.940 of the bread. 00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:53.680 So noticing 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.300 that Jesus and 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:54.800 his disciples 00:19:54.800 --> 00:19:55.779 had gone, they 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.560 had eaten 00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:57.140 their fill, and 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.340 they were 00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:57.900 talking amongst 00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:59.220 themselves, and 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.779 they lost 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.360 track of 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:00.800 Jesus, and 00:20:00.800 --> 00:20:01.140 they finally 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.240 follow him, they 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.860 track him down, 00:20:03.080 --> 00:20:04.040 and find him, and 00:20:04.040 --> 00:20:04.980 in verse 25, they 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.240 say, Rabbi, when 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:06.700 did you come 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:06.900 here? 00:20:07.580 --> 00:20:07.900 So they're 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.480 wondering, okay, so 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.120 how long have you 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.460 been here? 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:09.940 When did you 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.160 leave? 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.680 And why did 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.040 you leave? 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:11.860 How, well, we've 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.340 been looking all 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.900 over for you. 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:13.880 They come to 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:15.279 Jesus, but Jesus 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.500 responds to these 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:18.060 seekers is 00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:19.140 surprisingly sharp. 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.080 He responds in 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:23.080 verse 26, truly, 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.960 truly, I say to 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.060 you, you are 00:20:26.060 --> 00:20:27.380 seeking me, not 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.400 because you saw 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.460 signs, but 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.420 because you ate 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.860 your fill of 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.460 the loaves. 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:36.220 on a superficial 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:37.440 reading of the 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.660 text, you might 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.480 think that this 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.380 flies in the face 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.319 of verse 2, which 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.200 said that a large 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.140 crowd was following 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.500 him because they 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:46.360 saw the signs that 00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:46.960 he was doing on 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.259 the sick. 00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.420 So verse 2 says 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.039 they came because 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.539 of the signs. 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.620 Verse 26 says that 00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:51.400 people follow Jesus 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.299 not because of the 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:52.940 signs, but because 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.759 they had their fill 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.340 with the loaves. 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:56.120 But that's not a 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:57.319 formal contradiction 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.000 because they're 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.220 essentially saying 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.119 the same thing, 00:21:00.159 --> 00:21:00.659 just in different 00:21:00.659 --> 00:21:01.079 words. 00:21:01.419 --> 00:21:02.000 What they're both 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.700 saying is that 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.779 people came to be 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.379 dazzled by and to 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.839 benefit from the 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:08.220 signs in and of 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.819 themselves without 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.859 paying any attention 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:12.019 to what the signs 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.299 pointed to, the 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.919 Christ identity, and 00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:15.779 who he is. 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.579 So it's kind of like 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.579 people who go to 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.839 grocery stores just 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:20.619 to sample the free 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:21.480 food, like they go 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.259 to free sample food, 00:21:22.659 --> 00:21:23.639 and they go around 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.279 and sample all the 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.019 food, but they're not 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.679 willing to buy 00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:26.759 anything that those 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.460 samples were supposed 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.099 to point to. 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.059 It was the actual 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.759 product, which is 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.640 right next to it. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.559 So it's kind of like 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.379 this, these people 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:32.839 are coming, they're 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.480 just sampling the 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:33.980 free food, they're 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.039 coming for the 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.819 signs, to see the 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.420 signs, to have 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:38.579 wonder and be amazed 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.740 by the signs, and to 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.740 eat the things, the 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.420 benefits that come 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.440 from the signs, yet 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.539 they have no interest 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:45.259 in who Jesus truly is 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.660 and claims to be. 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.839 The thing that the 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.619 signs were supposed 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.559 to point to. 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:51.940 And so he says, 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.799 no, you came here 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:55.279 because you ate your 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.740 fill of the loaves. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:22:00.359 And then Jesus 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.259 continues in verse 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.920 27. 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:04.859 Do not work for the 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:06.559 food that perishes, 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.619 but for the food that 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:10.039 endures to eternal 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:12.720 life, which the Son of 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:14.099 Man will give to you. 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:16.960 For on him God the 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.559 Father has set his 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:18.920 seal. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.700 Jesus is telling 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.920 people, stop following 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:23.740 me around for signs, 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:24.940 stop following me 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.539 around for food, like 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.600 I'm a cheap crowd 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.759 pleaser or a magician. 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:30.660 I am the Son of God. 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:32.059 I'm the great I am. 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:32.779 I'm the promised 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.779 Messiah, the prophet 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.519 like Moses. 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.980 Come to me for the 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.059 food that endures to 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:38.600 eternal life. 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:42.180 And we have a knack, 00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:43.240 don't we, for getting 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.320 caught up in lesser 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:45.620 things and losing 00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:46.580 sight of the most 00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:47.360 important things. 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.220 Right? 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:51.059 Even with things that 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.860 are not eternal, we 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:53.000 lose sight of the most 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.620 important things. 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:55.100 For example, we work so 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:56.339 hard for the food that 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.680 perishes. 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.720 We work hard to make 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.460 money so that we can 00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:00.759 provide for the best 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.860 possible environment for 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.319 our children. 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.380 Right? 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:05.740 But in doing so, because 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.839 we're so busy, we neglect 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.279 our children. 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.680 Right? 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:11.160 We sacrifice our health to 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:12.920 study hard and to work 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:14.059 long hours to ensure a 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.339 successful career, make a 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.759 lot of money, and then 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.799 only to spend that hard 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.420 on our money to recuperate 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:19.900 our health. 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.660 And even if we get to 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.859 keep our money at the 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.799 end of our life, we 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.799 realize it does nothing 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.460 for dead people. 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.599 We can't take any of it 00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.119 with us. 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:35.019 We idealize and even 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.500 idolize our boyfriend, 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:38.039 girlfriend, husband, 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:43.440 wife, family, but only to 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.359 find that even they can't 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.740 ultimately fulfill us. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.740 or satisfy our deepest 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.279 longings. 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.640 We indulge ourselves in 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.980 various pleasures, whether 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.759 it's, you know, overeating 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:56.379 or binge-watching on 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:58.019 Netflix or drugs or 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.319 excessive drinking or 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.859 illicit sexual relations 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:02.099 or activities, thinking 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:03.519 that more is always 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.680 better and that with more 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.599 and more, we could have 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.539 more and more pleasure, 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:08.799 not realizing that the 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.680 more we do that, we 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.000 become more desensitized. 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.900 In fact, they bring less 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.640 and less pleasure. 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:18.100 We grovel for the approval 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:21.820 of people about our 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:23.360 appearance, intelligence, 00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:24.300 or sociability. 00:24:25.300 --> 00:24:26.580 And we're devastated by the 00:24:26.580 --> 00:24:27.420 slightest hint of 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:29.160 disrespect, disapproval from 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:31.240 those people, not recognizing 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.220 that their approval is 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:34.500 fickle and fleeting and 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:36.020 ultimately unfulfilling. 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:39.299 we work so hard, don't we, 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.420 for the food that 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:40.859 perishes. 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:44.039 When there's food that 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.519 endures to eternal 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:48.259 life, Christ promises us 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.740 eternal life, 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:51.160 eternal riches, 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.799 and eternal love and 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:54.139 esteem of the 00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:55.480 triune God who never 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.139 changes. 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.539 Yet why are we so 00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.639 desperately and frantically 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:00.940 working for the food that 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.339 perishes? 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:04.720 And so Jesus 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.579 wrongly rebuked these 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:08.000 people for their 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.379 materialistic notions of 00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:10.959 life and the kingdom of 00:25:10.959 --> 00:25:11.259 God. 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:13.019 But they misunderstand 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.539 Jesus still further. 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:16.619 Jesus told them, 00:25:16.939 --> 00:25:17.919 instead of working for 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.839 that, it worked for 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:20.099 this, worked for 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:21.299 eternal life, but 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.399 instead of focusing on 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:23.839 the goal, the reason 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:25.139 why they work, they 00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:26.220 get back, they focus 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.759 their entire attention on 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.359 the work that they're 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.899 doing themselves. 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.679 So verse 28, they say, 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.480 what must we do to be 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:34.100 doing the works of God? 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.519 There's a naive confidence 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.400 about their response. 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.100 They say they have no 00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.779 doubt about their 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.560 ability to meet any 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:40.220 challenge that God 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.880 sets before them. 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.640 Oh, just tell us what 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.160 he requires. 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.080 We'll do it. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.500 That's their attitude. 00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:46.039 But Jesus sets them 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:47.240 straight in verse 29. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:50.380 This is the work of God 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:52.740 that you believe in him 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:54.140 whom he has sent. 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.700 Eternal life that 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:59.120 Christ offers is first 00:25:59.120 --> 00:26:00.560 and foremost a gift. 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:02.880 not a wage. 00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:04.759 So the quote-unquote 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:06.380 work that God requires 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:07.480 is simply faith. 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:10.019 To believe in him 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:12.400 whom he has sent. 00:26:12.840 --> 00:26:13.820 And this is yet another 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:14.620 way in which Jesus 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:15.840 defies our expectations 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:17.039 and refuse to be boxed 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.060 in by our own 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:19.140 imaginations. 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:21.259 He says, we like to 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.200 be able to earn things. 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.920 We like to be able to 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.620 work for things. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.279 We like to be able to 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.299 say, well, I had a part 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:25.720 in that. 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.420 I deserve that. 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.920 It is my right, my 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.539 entitlement. 00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:32.560 But God chooses another 00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:32.880 way. 00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:34.200 He says, no, you simply 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.580 must believe and depend 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:36.259 on me. 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.759 And I give you this 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:39.360 eternal life. 00:26:40.100 --> 00:26:41.120 And that's a radical 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:43.920 reason why God does that. 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:47.019 And a pastor in New York 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.140 named Kim Keller once 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:49.680 told a story in his book 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:51.320 about a woman that he 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:51.860 talked to. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.440 And this woman had not 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.400 grown up in the church. 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.660 And she had never heard 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.740 the distinction between 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:58.700 the gospel, which is the 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.019 good news of Jesus Christ, 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:01.080 the fact that salvation 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:02.519 comes to us by grace 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:04.300 through faith, and works 00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:05.519 righteousness, which 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.580 teaches that, no, you 00:27:06.580 --> 00:27:07.800 earn your salvation by 00:27:07.800 --> 00:27:08.980 working hard and becoming 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:10.000 a righteous person in your 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.680 own strength. 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.940 And when she first 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.880 heard this distinction, 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:14.000 she said she was 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.519 frightened. 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:17.080 And she was scared. 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:20.000 And the pastor asked 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.019 him, well, what's so 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.640 scary about this? 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.380 This is good news. 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.400 Like, what's wrong? 00:27:23.840 --> 00:27:24.660 And this is what she 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:24.960 said. 00:27:25.080 --> 00:27:27.880 Well, if I was saved by 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:29.940 my good works, then there 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:31.680 would be a limit to what 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:33.259 God could ask of me or put 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.620 me through. 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.500 I would be like a 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.299 taxpayer with rights. 00:27:37.840 --> 00:27:39.019 I would have done my 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.940 duty, and now I would 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:41.259 deserve a certain quality 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.799 of life. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.220 But if I'm a sinner, 00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:47.259 saved by grace, then 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.180 there's nothing you 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:50.340 cannot ask of me. 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.539 If we're honest with 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.880 ourselves, we're wary of 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:57.680 and sometimes feel badly 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.900 about receiving free 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.880 things from people. 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:01.279 Like, oh, no, just take 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.960 this at least. 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.660 The reason why is because 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.380 we don't like feeling 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.019 indebted. 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.500 We don't like feeling 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.380 like we owe someone 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.860 something. 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:13.860 But God's way is, is 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:15.799 by fully, by His grace, He 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:17.360 gives us the gift of 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.480 eternal life, salvation. 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:20.100 All we have to do is 00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:21.200 believe in Him and take 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.299 hold of it in faith. 00:28:23.100 --> 00:28:24.140 And God does that because 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.500 then when we do that, God 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:28.220 becomes supreme, sovereign, 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:30.160 Lord over our lives, and we 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:32.299 owe our allegiance to Him in 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:34.259 every way, in everything. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.880 He becomes our God and 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.880 Lord, and that's what He 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.700 wants for us. 00:28:38.600 --> 00:28:39.760 That's what we cannot say. 00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.540 That is my right. 00:28:40.600 --> 00:28:41.400 That is my entitlement. 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.400 I demand it of you. 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.500 We cannot say that to God. 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:45.140 He gave it to us as a gift. 00:28:51.020 --> 00:28:52.700 And the people, and this is 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:54.400 the moment when we might 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.860 roll our eyes and palm our 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:58.260 foreheads, in people's 00:28:58.260 --> 00:28:59.880 response, verses 30 to 31, 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:01.240 they respond with this 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.640 question. 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:05.320 Then what sign do you do 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:07.560 that we may see and believe 00:29:07.560 --> 00:29:07.800 you? 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:09.900 What work do you perform? 00:29:10.780 --> 00:29:12.340 Our fathers ate the manna in 00:29:12.340 --> 00:29:12.780 the wilderness. 00:29:13.040 --> 00:29:14.560 As it is written, He gave 00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:17.080 them bread from heaven to eat. 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:21.340 So after all of this, we're 00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:22.860 back to square one. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.360 The sign. 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.140 They want more signs. 00:29:27.520 --> 00:29:28.780 Jesus just performed a sign. 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:30.800 He just fed 20,000 people with 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.940 five loaves of bread and two 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.419 fish. 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.720 In fact, just before that, He 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:37.079 healed an invalid of 38 years. 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.799 And just before that, He healed 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:40.240 a dying son of an official. 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.799 And just before that, He turned 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:43.000 water into wine. 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.839 In fact, the whole book up to 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:46.359 this point, the book of John, 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:48.559 has been a book of signs. 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:50.519 The signs that point to Jesus' 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.599 identity as the Son of God, and 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:54.119 yet here they are, like they've 00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:54.659 seen nothing. 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:56.359 They ask for a sign. 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.980 And Jesus is far more patient 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:01.059 than I would have been. 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.559 Verse 32 to 33. 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:05.200 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:07.640 it was not Moses who gave you the 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:09.559 bread from heaven, but my Father 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:11.700 gives you the true bread from 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:11.960 heaven. 00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:14.000 For the bread of God is He who 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:16.579 comes down from heaven and gives 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:18.680 life to the world. 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:22.380 Then people then ask for this bread. 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:24.599 And Jesus says in verse 35, 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:27.639 I am the bread of life. 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.779 Whoever comes to me shall not 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:31.759 hunger, and whoever believes in me 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:33.939 shall never thirst. 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:38.039 Jesus does give them another sign. 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:41.740 He says, I am the bread of life. 00:30:41.939 --> 00:30:44.119 And He points to His cross when He's 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:46.839 going to give His life, His body 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:49.219 broken for us, His blood shed for us, 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.619 that He is going to be that bread, 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:53.159 that bread that sustains us and gives 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:55.540 us eternal life, makes us whole again, 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:58.060 makes us new again, spiritually. 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:02.580 Again, another way which God defies, 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:04.480 Jesus defies our boxes and 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.060 expectations. 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:08.620 No, Jesus is not going to come and 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:10.519 just rule over us with an iron fist 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:12.140 and rule the nations to submission. 00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:14.540 No, He brings us into His kingdom, 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:18.000 not with that, but by dying for us, 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:22.240 paying the penalty for our sins Himself 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:26.380 so that we can be reconciled to God, 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:28.559 so that we can be brought into His kingdom 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:31.519 willingly and freely out of our love for Him 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.980 and faith in Him. 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:37.220 And how do we eat this bread? 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:39.619 Well, it's not by physical eating, 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:41.319 chewing, or drinking, 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:43.720 because it says 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:47.879 that those who will no longer hunger 00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:49.319 are not those who eat, 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:52.019 but those who come to Jesus, it says. 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.599 Those who will no longer thirst 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:56.099 are not those who drink, 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:58.859 but it says those who believe in Him. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:32:01.000 So that's how you know this is a metaphor. 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:04.220 Jesus is using the bread as a metaphor. 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.919 Jesus is the bread of life. 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:07.859 That's the ultimate sign that He offers, 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:09.879 and He's pointing to His sacrificial death 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.400 on the cross. 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:12.380 And the way we eat this bread 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:13.560 is we come to Him, 00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:16.060 and we believe in Him. 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:19.680 Like the promise that God had given 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:21.080 in Isaiah 55, 1, 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:22.980 Come, everyone who thirsts, 00:32:23.020 --> 00:32:23.760 come to the waters, 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:25.140 and he who has no money, 00:32:25.260 --> 00:32:26.500 come buy and eat. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.540 Come buy wine and milk 00:32:28.540 --> 00:32:31.160 without money and without price. 00:32:32.620 --> 00:32:34.600 Because Jesus paid for that price. 00:32:35.060 --> 00:32:36.640 We can come without pay, 00:32:36.840 --> 00:32:37.680 without charge, 00:32:38.040 --> 00:32:38.920 without price. 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:43.680 And if you are not a believer 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:45.220 with us this morning, 00:32:45.340 --> 00:32:45.960 you don't know, 00:32:46.780 --> 00:32:47.960 you have not experienced 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:49.860 this eternal life that Jesus offers. 00:32:50.800 --> 00:32:52.820 You can come to Him this morning. 00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:55.020 You can come and believe in Him 00:32:55.020 --> 00:32:55.780 for your salvation. 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.780 Forsake all your own righteousness 00:32:57.780 --> 00:32:59.420 and all your own schemes 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.340 at getting to God 00:33:00.340 --> 00:33:00.960 and say, 00:33:01.060 --> 00:33:02.020 No, I need Jesus, 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:03.040 and He's the only way. 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:04.400 Because He's the bread of life. 00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:05.440 There's no other food. 00:33:07.540 --> 00:33:08.560 That's the only way. 00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:10.040 Come to Him. 00:33:10.320 --> 00:33:10.920 Believe in Him. 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:14.640 And if you have already placed 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.500 your trust in Jesus 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.460 and your faith in Him, 00:33:18.860 --> 00:33:19.420 yes, 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:22.080 that's a once and for all event 00:33:22.080 --> 00:33:24.060 that we are saved by grace through faith. 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:26.759 But it's also an everyday event. 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.720 We come to Him again 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:29.679 and again. 00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:31.399 We believe again 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:32.259 and again. 00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:33.759 And we eat that bread again 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.200 and again, 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:36.099 just like we need sustenance 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:36.779 daily. 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:39.099 Yes, 00:33:39.179 --> 00:33:40.379 we are saved once and for all 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.779 when we place our faith in Jesus, 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:43.639 but we must believe every day. 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:45.740 Because the world that we live in, 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.879 the culture that we're in, 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.179 the people around us, 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.419 they challenge us, 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.819 they wear our faith down, 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:52.379 and they tempt us 00:33:52.379 --> 00:33:54.220 to disbelieve at every point. 00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:56.720 So it must be our effort 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.439 to believe, 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:59.119 to come to Him again 00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.200 and again. 00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:03.439 And we can do that 00:34:03.439 --> 00:34:05.559 not begrudgingly, 00:34:05.879 --> 00:34:06.759 but with joy 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:08.039 and gratitude 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:10.319 because Christ is the Lord, 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:11.759 the bread of life 00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:13.579 who offered Himself for us. 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.719 So let's pray together. 00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:16.779 Amen. 00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:24.220 God, we are so grateful 00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:32.640 that you speak to us 00:34:32.640 --> 00:34:37.460 in a way that we understand very well. 00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:41.200 It's that when we go without food, 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:41.920 we go hungry. 00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:45.539 When we go without food for a while, 00:34:45.620 --> 00:34:46.019 we die. 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:46.120 Amen. 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:52.760 And spiritually even more so, 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.160 Lord. 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:56.260 We are already dead 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:57.120 apart from you 00:34:57.120 --> 00:34:59.039 and we need the bread of life 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.640 to live. 00:35:07.740 --> 00:35:09.059 Thank you for giving us 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.360 this bread in Jesus Christ. 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:13.300 And grant us unflagging faith 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.280 so that we may persevere 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.120 to the end 00:35:15.120 --> 00:35:16.200 for your glory. 00:35:18.100 --> 00:35:19.420 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:20.220 Amen. 00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:20.340 Amen. 00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:20.960 Amen.