How did the people respond to His miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, and how did Jesus use this to try to teach them who He was? John 6:14-15,26-36

 

In John 6:14-15, 26-36, the people witness Jesus perform the miracle of feeding the five thousand, and their response is telling. Let’s break it down.

 1. The People's Response to the Miracle (John 6:14-15)

After Jesus miraculously fed the multitude with just five loaves of bread and two fish, the crowd immediately recognized the significance of what He had done. They said:

 Verse 14: "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."

 They saw Jesus as the promised prophet foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15, likely with the expectation of a political or military leader who would free them from Roman rule.

 Verse 15: "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself."

 Their enthusiasm was focused on earthly concerns—they wanted to make Jesus a king, expecting Him to lead them in rebellion against the Romans, rather than understanding the spiritual significance of His mission.

 2. Jesus’ Teaching (John 6:26-36)

After the miracle, the crowd follows Jesus to Capernaum. Jesus uses the opportunity to redirect their focus from physical to spiritual matters.

 Verses 26-27: Jesus rebukes the crowd for seeking Him because of the food rather than for the spiritual truth. He says, "You seek me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life."

 Jesus challenges their materialistic view, urging them to seek something far more important—eternal life, which He can give.

 Verses 28-29: The people ask, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus replies, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.”

 He emphasizes faith in Him as the key to salvation, not just performing works.

 Verses 30-31: The people demand another sign, referring to the manna their ancestors ate in the wilderness.

 They still misunderstand, focusing on material provision and comparing Jesus to Moses, who provided manna.

 Verses 32-35: Jesus clarifies that the true “bread from heaven” is not the manna but Himself. He says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

 Jesus reveals that He is the source of spiritual sustenance and eternal life, not just a provider of physical needs.

 3. Key Lesson

 The miracle of feeding the five thousand was meant to point to Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God, the one who gives eternal life. However, the people were fixated on the immediate, physical benefits (food, earthly kingship).

 Jesus used this moment to teach them that He is the "bread of life," offering something far greater than physical sustenance—eternal life through faith in Him.

Jesus was trying to shift their focus from the temporary (earthly bread, physical needs) to the eternal (spiritual nourishment and salvation through Him).