Sermon: John 6:1-21: Bread from Heaven

Reading of God’s Word

“After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.” (John 6:1–21, ESV)

Introduction

Do you like bread? I certainly do! One of my favorite things is to walk into the house after my wife has made a fresh loaf of bread. I love the smell of it. I love the way that it satisfies when you eat it. Bread is one of those very simple and yet wonderfully pleasing things.

But have you ever stopped to ask the question, what is bread for? Why is it here? Why do we have it?

On one level you may respond saying, well that’s a ridiculous question. Bread is food! It nourishes the body. It’s purpose is to sustain us, to strengthen us, to give us life. And that is true. Bread does indeed serve the physical body. But may I suggest to you that bread serves another more important purpose – a higher purpose. Bread serves, not only the body, but, in a way, it also serves the human soul. Read the rest of Sermon: John 6:1-21: Bread from Heaven »