Doctrinal & Spiritual Application of John 6:1-14 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

In this lesson we study the doctrinal and spiritual applications of this passage.

The doctrinal application of this scripture is prophetic.  Look at verse 14.  The people say that Jesus was the prophet that should come into the world, a reference to Deuteronomy 18:15-18. This prophet was to be like Moses.  Jesus demonstrated his likeness by feeding the five thousand in the wilderness, like Moses (John6:31).  This event is so important because it points to the tribulation when God feeds the Jews in the wilderness during the reign of the Antichrist (Ezekiel20:35).

In Revelation 12, there is a woman wearing a crown.  The woman isIsrael, as evidenced by the twelve stars.  She is pregnant, a reference toIsraelgiving birth to a nation in Isaiah 66.  In Revelation 12:6 the woman flees to the wilderness to a place prepared of God, where she is fed for three and a half years (Revelation 12:14).  During this time, there is no rain (Lamentations 5:9).  Each morning, the Jews must gather manna and return to hiding so that they are not caught by the antichrist.  Interestingly, the plagues in the book of Exodus will be repeated in the tribulation (Micah7:14-15).

The spiritual application: There are at least three things that we can learn from this. Through study, you can find any number of spiritual truths.

Jesus knew it would be impossible for the people to buy enough food. In Matthew 14:16 Jesus had already given the command to give them food, even though there wasn’t any. Jesus will put all Christians into impossible situations to see what you will do. Until you are in an impossible situation, you will never know your personal limits and God’s limitless grace.  In Mark 10:27, he says, “With men it is impossible, but not with God.”  God had put them in an impossible situation and proved himself to them that he was capable of doing the impossible.  God will do the impossible for you, but not until he gives you an impossible command.

That was a very little amount that the lad gave, but it was all he had.  If you give what little you have, God can use it.  The widow gave two mites, which was all her living.  Many preachers are looking for the big money.  This passage shows that a little money can be used for God in a great way (2 Cor 9:6-11).  If all you have is a dime, and you are willing to give it to God, he can do great things with it.

God gave the food to his disciples, and they gave to the people. We are just conduits for God’s material.  God will trust you with a little bit and you can give that little bit to some one else.  After the meal the disciples had twelve baskets left over, enough for each of them to eat later.