October 18 (Daily reading: John 6) Jesus often taught by doing the unexplainable. All four gospels give the story of feeding the five thousand. The disciples saw only the problem of a large hungry crowd, but Jesus challenged them to find a solution. When He fed the crowd by multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish, with twelve baskets of food left over, He taught that God’s provision is more that sufficient, it is over-abundant!
Jesus then continued His lesson on doing the unexplainable by walking on the water, something that he, as God, could do that they could not do. Mark told us why He did it: “They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened” (Mk. 6:51-52). Here is the lesson that they had not understood: “With man, this is impossible, but now with God; all things are possible with God” (Mk. 10:27). He taught this lesson in every miracle He did! Paul understood: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).
When the crowds came to Him because He could give them bread, He said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (v. 35). The Jews did not like that Jesus claimed to be the bread that came down from heaven (v. 41). They did not understand when He said: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life” (v. 54). I find meaning in what Jesus said by returning to verse 35. We “eat His flesh” by coming to Him: “He who comes to Me will not hunger.” We “drink His blood” by believing in Him: “He who believes in Me will never thirst.” Coming to Him and believing in Him must be our daily activity!
– Al Gary
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