The Feeding of the 5,000 - Parallels to Moses and The Old Testemment - John 6:1-14

 

In John 6:1–14, the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 has several parallels to Moses and the deliverance of the Israelites, specifically the miracle of manna in the wilderness.

Here are the key parallels

Feeding the People Miraculously

 Moses: In the wilderness, Moses led the Israelites after their escape from Egypt. The people were in need of food, and God provided manna (bread from heaven) to sustain them (Exodus 16).

 Jesus: Similarly, in John 6, Jesus feeds a large crowd (5,000 men, plus women and children) in a remote place. He miraculously multiplies five loaves of bread and two fish, providing abundant food for all present.

   Parallel: Both Moses and Jesus acted as intermediaries through whom God provided food miraculously in the wilderness. Jesus' act of providing bread should have reminded the people of God's provision through Moses.

 Sign of Divine Provision

 Moses: The manna was a divine provision for the people’s physical needs in the wilderness, symbolizing God’s care and sustaining power.

 Jesus: Jesus' miraculous feeding also symbolizes God's care, but it points toward a deeper, spiritual provision that He will later expound on as being the "bread of life" (John 6:35), signifying that Jesus Himself is the ultimate source of life and sustenance.

   Parallel: In both instances, the provision of bread points to God's sustaining power, but Jesus’ miracle points to a greater fulfillment—eternal sustenance through Himself.

 Abundance and Leftovers

 Moses: With the manna, the Israelites were given exactly what they needed daily (Exodus 16:16-18). No more and no less, symbolizing God’s sufficiency.

 Jesus: In contrast, after feeding the 5,000, there were twelve baskets of leftovers (John 6:13), which represents the overflowing abundance of Jesus' provision, beyond what was immediately necessary.

   Parallel: While manna was a daily provision that met the immediate needs, Jesus' miracle was abundant and overflowing, pointing to the superabundance of God’s grace through Jesus.

Expectation of the Prophet Like Moses

 Moses: Deuteronomy 18:15 speaks of a prophet like Moses whom God would raise up. The Jewish people were waiting for this prophet.

 Jesus: After the miracle, the people declare that Jesus is "the Prophet who is to come into the world" (John 6:14), recognizing the parallel between Jesus and Moses.

   Parallel: The people saw Jesus’ miracle as a sign that He was the fulfillment of the promise in Deuteronomy, the new Moses who would lead them to deliverance.

 Deliverance

 Moses: Moses led the Israelites out of physical bondage in Egypt, an act of deliverance.

 Jesus: Jesus’ miracles point to a greater deliverance from spiritual bondage—freedom from sin and death. The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 foreshadows the spiritual sustenance and deliverance Jesus offers.

   Parallel: Just as Moses led the people to freedom, Jesus offers ultimate deliverance, not just from hunger, but from spiritual death.

In summary, the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 should have reminded the people of Moses' role in God's provision of manna in the wilderness. Jesus, like Moses, provides miraculous food, but He also surpasses Moses by offering a greater, eternal sustenance and deliverance. This event foreshadows Jesus’ identity as the true Bread of Life who provides not just for physical needs but for the deepest spiritual needs of humanity.