John 6:12-15 - Leftovers

6:12,13

Jesus then instructed the disciples to gather up what was left. So in this whole episode while the miracle itself is clearly the primary point, we should also note how order plays its part from beginning to end. The people were arranged into groups, the food was distributed, and then everything left over was collected. Just because there is order does not mean there cannot be supernatural intervention, and just because there is supernatural intervention does not mean we do away with order.

6:14,15

The people were amazed at what had happened. There have been some who have suggested that the boy giving the five loaves and fish prompted others to share what they had. There are no grounds for thinking this at all, except a complete rejection of miracles. A miracle had occurred and the people recognised it. They also drew the conclusion that Jesus was special, thinking that He must be the Prophet. The Prophet is prophesied in Deut 18:15-18. There the emphasis is that the people should listen to the Prophet. We also must listen to Jesus.

The people’s recognition might have been thought good, but Jesus knew that there understanding was very incomplete and had serious flaws. The people wanted to make Him king by force. Now why did they want to do this, and why did was Jesus not going to let this happen? They were an oppressed people, the Romans occupied the land, which they would resent, they were probably not all that impressed by their religious leaders either. In their culture and history there was a deeply held belief that God had something better for them, and now they saw their chance to get this freedom. Freedom from Rome, and a leader who was Godly yet somehow far better than any religious leaders they had known.

Jesus knew that there was a far deeper problem and need that all the people had, the sin within their hearts. And the same is true of all of us. There may be times when the circumstances are bad, but the real problem, the biggest problem, is the problem of sin, and like the Jews we can often have little interest in addressing this problem.

Jesus knew what His primary purpose was and was not going to be diverted from it. So He withdrew to a mountain by Himself.