“Signs of Multiplication and Authority”
John 6:1-21
“Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.” [John 6:2]
Signs 4 and 5 in our Gospel of John passage this morning. These are the only two [of seven] that are not unique to John. They are radical miracles that only God can do, thus equating Jesus with God.
The fourth sign is a miracle of multiplication. God takes what we have by faith to give; physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and then multiplies through His Son.
“The generous soul shall be enriched, and he that gives water shall be watered himself.” [Prov. 11:24] “There is one who gives freely, and yet increases; and there is another who withholds what is due, yet it leads to poverty.” [Prov. 11:25] “He that has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.” [Prov. 22:9] “He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” [2 Cor. 9:6]
Scripture goes on and on about the blessing of giving. There is a connection between sacrificial giving and multiplication. God does both.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” [2 Cor. 8:9] “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” [Jn. 12:24]
The Cross is the greatest act of sacrificial giving and the ultimate work of multiplication. In the death of One, many are alive; they have become born again. And this fourth sign points to more than physical feeding. It directs us to the Bread of Life, Jesus, which is the more important message in 6:22-59 that we will cover next Sunday.
Sign 5 is Jesus walking on water. It is a picture of the walk of faith. When Peter came to Jesus on the water, he was fine until he looked away from Jesus and onto his surroundings.
What a great lesson [and warning]. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we walk above our situation and circumstances. But as soon as we take our eyes off Jesus the situation drowns us, and we find ourselves in serious trouble.
What a powerful message this fifth sign provides. Surely if Jesus has authority over the laws of nature, He can calm the storms in our lives. Trust Him and look to Him, and He will faithfully strengthen you amid the storm.
