Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger again” (JOHN 6:35).
1. How important was bread in biblical times?
BREAD was a staple food in biblical times (Gen. 14:18; Luke 4:4). It was so important that the Bible sometimes uses it to refer to food in general. (Matt. 6:11; Acts 20:7, nota de estudio). Bread was also a central element of two well-known miracles of Jesus (Matt. 16:9, 10). Let's examine one of those stories, found in John chapter 6, and see what lessons we can draw for our day.
2. On what occasion did thousands of people need food?
2 The apostles had finished a preaching tour. Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee with them by boat and took them to a secluded place near the city of Bethsaida so that they could rest (Mark 6:7, 30-32; Luke 9:10). But they were immediately surrounded by thousands of people who came to see Jesus. And he didn't ignore them. Kindly, he spent time telling them about the Kingdom and healing the sick. As it was getting late, the disciples wondered how all those people would get something to eat. Some perhaps carried a few provisions, but most would have to go to the villages and buy food. (Matt. 14:15; John 6:4, 5). What would Jesus do?
MIRACULOUSLY GAVE THEM BREAD
3. How did Jesus react when he saw the people's need? (See also cover image.)
3 Jesus told his apostles: “You do not need to leave. You feed them” (Matt. 14:16). This was a big problem because there were about 5,000 men, and, if women and children are added, there may have been about 15,000 people (Matt. 14:21). Andrés said: “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two little fish. But what is that for so many people? (John 6:9). Barley bread was common and cheap, and small fish may have been dry and salty. In any case, that amount would not be enough to feed so many people.
ILLUSTRATION
Jesus gives bread and fish to his disciples. The disciples distribute the food to a crowd of men, women and children. Jesus met the spiritual and physical needs of the people. (See paragraph 3).
4. What lessons do we learn from John 6:11-13? (See also images).
4 Because Jesus wanted to be hospitable, he asked the people to sit in groups on the grass (Mark 6:39, 40; read John 6:11-13). The Bible says that Jesus thanked his Father for the bread and the fish. It was very appropriate that he did so, because it was actually God who provided the food. This reminds us that we must follow the example of Jesus and pray before eating, whether we are alone or with others. Then Jesus had the food distributed, and the crowd ate until they were satisfied. Still, there was food left over and Jesus didn't want it to go to waste. That's why he ordered it to be collected, possibly for later use. In this way, Jesus taught us to make good use of our resources. Parents can review this story with their children to teach them to pray and to be hospitable and generous.
ILLUSTRATION
Images of brothers and sisters praying before eating: 1. A young Witness in the school cafeteria with classmates chatting behind her. 2. A brother who works in construction, on his midday break with his colleagues by his side. 3. A couple and their daughter in the dining room of their house. Ask yourself, “Do I follow Jesus' example and pray before I eat?” (See paragraph 4).
5. How did the people react to the miracles they saw that day, but what did Jesus do?
5 The people were impressed by Jesus' way of teaching and his miracles. They knew that Moses had promised that God would appoint a special prophet, so they may have wondered if it would be Jesus. (Deut. 18:15-18). In that case, they may have believed that Jesus would be a magnificent ruler, capable of feeding the entire nation. This explains why they were about to “take him by force and make him king” (John 6:14, 15). If Jesus had allowed it, he would have been participating in the political affairs of the Jews, who were under Roman rule. But he didn't do it. The story says that Jesus, without hesitation, “withdrew to the mountain.” Although they pressured him, he did not get into politics. What a great lesson for us!
6. How can we copy Jesus' example? (See also the image).
6 Of course, no one is going to ask us to multiply bread or miraculously cure diseases. Nor will they try to make us kings or rulers. But they may pressure us to participate in political affairs by voting for someone or otherwise supporting someone they believe will improve the situation. However, Jesus left a very clear example. He refused to intervene in political issues. And later he said, “My Kingdom is not part of this world” (John 17:14; 18:36). Christians do well to copy Jesus' way of thinking and acting. We loyally support the Kingdom of God, bear witness to it, and pray for its coming (Matt. 6:10). Let's see what else we can learn from Jesus' miracle of multiplying the loaves.
ILLUSTRATION
Pontius Pilate interrogates Jesus, who is guarded by two Roman soldiers. Jesus set an example for his disciples by not intervening in the political affairs of either the Jews or the Romans. (See paragraph 6).
“THE MEANING OF THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES”
7. What other miracle did Jesus perform, and how did the apostles react? (John 6:16-20).
7 After feeding the crowd, Jesus told his apostles to return to Capernaum by boat and withdrew to the mountain to avoid being made king (read John 6:16-20). During the boat trip, a storm broke out with strong winds and waves. Then, Jesus walked toward them on the water and told the apostle Peter to do the same (Matt. 14:22-31). When Jesus got into the boat, the wind calmed down. Filled with amazement, the disciples said, “You really are the Son of God” (Matt. 14:33). Even so, they still did not see the relationship between this miracle and what had happened before with the crowd. Mark adds the detail that the astonishment of the apostles was enormous, because “they had not grasped the meaning of the miracle of the loaves, and their hearts remained closed, unable to understand” (Mark 6:50-52). In fact, they could not understand all the power that Jehovah had given Jesus to perform miracles. Shortly after, Jesus would speak again about the miracle of the loaves, and thus teach us another important lesson.
8, 9. Why did the crowd go looking for Jesus? (John 6:26, 27).
8 What the crowd Jesus fed was most interested in was satisfying their physical wants and needs. It is true that, the next day, when they saw that Jesus and his apostles were gone, they got into other boats that were coming from Tiberias and went in the direction of Capernaum to look for Jesus (John 6:22-24). But did they do it primarily to hear Him speak more about the Kingdom? Clearly not. His main interest was to satisfy his need for bread. How do we know?
9 Let's look at what happened when the crowd met Jesus near Capernaum. Jesus told them clearly that their priority was to meet their physical needs. He indicated that they “ate the loaves until they were satisfied” with “food that spoils.” Rather, he encouraged them to work for “food that lasts and leads to eternal life” (read John 6:26, 27). He also told them that it would be their Father who would give them that food. The idea that a food could lead to eternal life must have been surprising to them. But what food would that be and how could they get it?
10. What “work of God” did people have to do to obtain eternal life?
10 It seems that those Jews believed that they had to perform some type of works to receive that food. It may be that they were thinking of the “works” of the Mosaic Law. However, Jesus told them, “This is the work of God, to show faith in him whom he sent” (John 6:28, 29). To have “eternal life,” it is necessary to demonstrate faith in God's representative. In fact, Jesus had already talked about this before (John 3:16-18, 36). And later he would speak again about what we must do to have eternal life (John 17:3).
11. How did the Jews demonstrate that they still planned to satisfy themselves with literal bread? (Psalm 78:24, 25).
11 Those Jews did not accept what Jesus taught them about this new “work of God.” That's why they asked him: “And what miracle are you going to do so that we can see it and believe you?” (John 6:30). Then they told him that their ancestors from the days of Moses had received manna, which could be compared to bread. (Neh. 9:15; read Psalm 78:24, 25). It is clear that they were still thinking of satisfying themselves with literal bread. That's why they didn't ask Jesus for an explanation when right after he spoke to them about the “true bread from heaven,” which was like manna from heaven that gives life. (Juan 6:32). They were so focused on their physical needs that they overlooked the spiritual truths Jesus was trying to teach them. What can we learn from this story?
OUR MAIN INTEREST
12. How did Jesus make clear what is most important?
12 An important lesson we find in John chapter 6 is this: our primary concern should be spiritual needs. Jesus had already highlighted this point when he rejected one of Satan's temptations (Matt. 4:3, 4). And in the Sermon on the Mount he had also emphasized that we must recognize our spiritual needs (Matt. 5:3). Therefore, let us ask ourselves: “Does my way of living demonstrate that I am more interested in my spiritual needs than in my physical desires?”
13. a) Why is it not wrong for us to enjoy food? b) What warning should we take very seriously? (1 Corinthians 10:6, 7, 11).
13 Of course, it is not wrong to ask God for the things we need and then enjoy them. (Luc. 11:3). The Bible says that hard work that allows us to eat and drink brings us joy and “comes from the hand of the true God.” (Ecl. 2:24; 8:15; Sant. 1:17). Still, we have to keep material needs in their proper place. That is what the apostle Paul reminded Christians living near the end of the Jewish systems. He wrote to them about events in Israel's history, such as those that took place near Mount Sinai. And he warned them not to desire “harmful things,” as the Israelites had done. (read 1 Corinthians 10:6, 7, 11). They let their desire to eat turn Jehovah’s miraculous provisions into “harmful things” (Num. 11:4-6, 31-34). And they did the same when they began to eat, drink and have a good time while worshiping the golden calf (Ex. 32:4-6). Paul cited this case as a warning to Christians living before the end of the Jewish systems, which would take place in the year 70 AD. Today we also live very close to the end of a system, and that is why we do well to take Paul's advice very seriously.
14. What does the Bible say about food in the new world?
14 When Jesus taught us to ask God for “our bread for this day,” he also spoke of the time when his will will be done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9-11). How do you imagine that time? The Bible indicates that God's will includes good food on Earth. Isaiah 25:6-8 promises that there will be plenty of quality food under Jehovah's Kingdom. And in Psalm 72:16 it is predicted that “in the land there will be grain in abundance, extraordinary abundance on the tops of the mountains.” Can you imagine using that grain to prepare your favorite bread or to try a new recipe? And do you see yourself enjoying the fruit of the vines you have planted? (Isa. 65:21, 22). Plus, you won't be the only one enjoying these blessings.
15. What will those who are resurrected have to learn? (John 6:35).
15 (Read John 6:35). What awaits the people who ate the bread and fish that Jesus miraculously multiplied? When the resurrection comes, perhaps we will meet some of them. They may be resurrected even if they did not demonstrate faith in the past (John 5:28, 29). They will have to learn what these words of Jesus mean: “I am the bread of life. “Whoever comes to me will never hunger again.” They must put their faith in the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus, that is, faith that he gave his life for them. At that time there will be a program of spiritual education for all those who are resurrected and any children born in the new world. How happy we will be to participate in that teaching program! It will give us much more satisfaction than eating bread. Without a doubt, the most important thing will be the spiritual.
16. What will we analyze in the next article?
16 So far we have only analyzed part of John chapter 6. But Jesus had much more to say about “eternal life.” It was a topic of great interest to the Jews and it is also a topic of great interest to us. In the next article we will continue analyzing chapter 6 of John.
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
What do we learn from what Jesus did before commanding the bread and fish to be distributed to the crowd?
The Bible says that Jesus thanked his Father for the bread and the fish. It was very appropriate that he did so, because it was actually God who provided the food. With this we learn that we must follow the example of Jesus and pray before eating, whether we are alone or accompanied.
What example did Jesus leave us when they wanted to make him king?
The people were impressed by Jesus' way of teaching and his miracles. That explains why they were about to “take him by force and make him king.” The story says that Jesus, without hesitation, “withdrew to the mountain.” Although they pressured him, he did not participate in politics.
How can we apply the advice of 1 Corinthians 10:6, 7, 11?
Not desiring “harmful things,” as the Israelites had done. They let their desire to eat turn Jehovah’s miraculous provisions into “harmful things.” And they did the same when they began to eat, drink and have a good time while worshiping the golden calf. Paul cited this case as a warning to Christians living before the end of the Jewish systems, which would take place in the year 70 AD. Today we also live very close to the end of a system, and that is why we do well to take Paul's advice very seriously.
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