“They were filled” John 6:12
[John 6:5-14 NASB] 5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. 12 When they were filled , He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
Upon reading this story in the book of John, I was impressed with the simple yet profound words written at the beginning of verse 12: they were filled . In a story that shows a clear need that we can all relate to at least in some measure and no possible solutions, the words are thrilling to think that the need was not only met, but the people were completely satisfied in the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Significance of this Sign Let us know for a minute, the prominence of this miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. This miracle is the only miracle that is mentioned in all four of the gospel records, apart from the resurrection of the Lord Jesus himself. Also of note is the placement of this sign or miracle in the gospel of John. If you include the miracle of the resurrection, this miracle is the central miracle of seven that were recorded by the apostle John. I would suggest that we are to take note of the significance of this miracle that took place.
The Staggering Need It’s interesting to note that in all four gospel records, the number of people that partook in the feast: 5000 men. And that didn’t include the woman and children. Every year at conference time, I see the work the goes into feeding about 300 to 400 people, but this crowd was enormous and from a human standpoint the amount of food that was needed was extraordinary. Where would this amount of food come from? How could this amount of people even get a little bit to eat? Never in their wildest imagination did the disciples think that this huge crowd would be filled and their hunger completely satisfied!
The Solutions of Men didn’t work Look at this story! There were a number of solutions that were proposed by the disciples. When we read this story in the synoptic gospels we are told that the disciples first suggestion was to send the crowd away. Furthermore when we read the story here in John, we are reminded of Phillip’s suggestion of buying food for the crowd. When you see these suggestions, it’s clear that the need was too great for the disciples to take care of themselves.
The Small Lunch that was given The Lord involved the disciples in searching for this lad that had a small lunch to give. But once again, the disciples are sure that this small lunch will not be the solution that is needed. Matthew writes that it was only two fish and five loaves. Mark writes we have no more than five loaves and two fish, and it seems to be summarized with the question of Andrew here in John, “but what are these for so many people?”
The Satisfaction of what the Lord provides! It’s very important to note that the Lord, as the one who is in perfect communion with His father, looks up to heaven and blesses the food. It’s a very good reminder to us to look to heaven and give thanks for our food! But the need for prayer goes beyond our need for nourishment – we have the great privilege to lift up all our needs to our Father in heaven! He is the One who is able to meet our needs. We are familiar with the words in Is 40, but what encouragement to us:
[Isa 40:28-29 ESV] 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
But what I have really been enjoying about this story is that people were filled ! Sometime when we are hungry, we get a little snack, and although it takes away some of the need, the need is not completely met. However, that is not the case with the Lord: The resources met the need completely! The greek word used here in John is different from what is used in all of the other gospels and reminds us that they were filled to the full and satisfied.
And isn’t that a great reminder of what we have in Christ when it comes to our eternal salvation. Not only have we been saved from the punishment that we deserve, but we have been filled. Filled with peace, filled with joy and completely satisfied. We love the words of the hymn:
Now none but Christ can satisfy, None other name for me! There’s love, and life, and lasting joy, Lord Jesus, found in Thee
And it is also a very important reminder to us in troubling times. When we read the news and listen to the leaders of our day, it’s obvious that they are looking for solutions, and they are trying, but the need is great and they can’t meet that need. People are still dying and the virus is still spreading, but even more our world is full of fear of what is going to happen next and crippled by the stress because of what is happening in the economy. But what about for us as believers? May we be able to rest in the One who is able to meet our every need! I don’t know what those exact needs are for you, but I can be sure of this – the needs are great and the solutions that are from men will not work. We need to turn to Christ – he is the ONE who is able to fill us, make us full and satisfy!