A PICNIC LUNCH

John 6:1-13

There were times when Jesus desired to withdraw from the crowds. He was under continuous strain and needed rest. Moreover, it was necessary that sometimes he should get his disciples alone to lead them into a deeper understanding of himself. In addition, he needed time for prayer. On this particular occasion it was wise to go away before a head-on collision with the authorities took place, for the time of the final conflict had not yet come.

From Capernaum to the other side of the sea of Galilee was a distance of about 4 miles and Jesus set sail. The people had been watching with astonishment the things he did; It was easy to see the direction the boat was taking ; and they hastened round the top of the lake by land. The river Jordan flows into the north end of the Sea of Galilee. Two miles up the river were the fords (shallow part of the sea, shallow place in a stream where men & animals can cross on foot) of Jordan. Near the fords was a village called Bethsaida Julias, to distinguish it from the other Bethasaida in Galilee. Near Bethasaida Julias, almost on the lakeside, was a plain where the grass always grew. It was to be the scene of wondrous happening.

At first Jesus went up into the hill behind the plain and he was sitting there with his disciples. Then the crowd began to appear in droves. It was nine miles round the top of the lake and across the ford, and they had made the journey with all speed. We are told that the Feast of the Passover (pasak in greek) was near and there would be even bigger crowds on the road at that time. Possibly many were on the road to Jerusalem by that route. Many Galilean pilgrims traveled north and crossed the ford and went through Perea, and then re-crossed the Jordan near Jericho. The way was longer but it avoided the territory of the hated and dangerous Samaritans. It is likely that the great crowd was swelled by detachments of pilgrims on their way to the Passover Feast.

At sight of the crowd Jesus’ sympathy was kindled. They were hungry and tired, and they must be fed. Philip was the natural man to whom to turn, for he came from Bethsaida (John 1:44) and would have local knowledge. Jesus asked him where they can get food. Philip’s answer was despairing. He said that even if food they could get food it would cost them more than two hundred denarii to give this crowd even a little each. A denarius was worth about 4p and was the standard day’s work wage for a working man. Philip calculated that it would take more than 8 month’s wages to begin to begin to feed a crowd like this.

Then Andrew appeared on the scene. He had discovered a lad with five barley and two little fishes. Quite likely the boy had brought them as a picnic lunch. Maybe he was out for the day, and as a boy might, was bringing people to Jesus. The boy had not much to bring. Barley bread was the cheapest of all bread and was held in contempt. There is a regulation in the Mishna about the offering that a woman who has committed adultery must bring. She must, of course, bring a trespass offering. With all offerings a meat-offering was made, and the meat-offering consisted of flour, wine and oil intermixed. Ordinarily the flour used was made of wheat; but it was laid down that, in the case of an offering for adultery, the flour could be barley flour, for barley is the food of beasts and the woman’s sins was the sin of the beast. Barley bread was the bread of the very poor. The fishes would be no longer than sardines, called apsaria in Greek, they are dried and pickled fish from Galilee and are known all over the Roman Empire. In those days fresh fish was an unheard-of luxury, for there was no means of transporting it any distance and keeping it in an eatable condition. Small sardine-like fish swarmed in the Sea of Galilee. They were caught and pickled and made into a kind of savory. The boy had his little pickled fish to help the dry barley bread down.

Jesus told the disciples to make the people sit down. He took the loaves and the fishes and he blessed them. When he did that he was acting as father of the family. The grace he used would be the one that was used in every home. “Blessed art Thou, O Lord, our God, who causest to come forth bread from the earth.” Then the people were filled. When the people had eaten, Jesus bade his disciples to gather up the fragments left. Why the fragments? At Jewish feast the regular practice was to leave something for the servants. That which was left was called peah; and the people left their usual part for those who had served them with the meal. The fragments of twelve baskets were taken up. No doubt each of the disciples had his basket. It was bottle shaped and no Jew ever traveled without this. The Jew carry this bag partly because he needed to carry his own food if he was going to observe the Jewish rules of cleanness and uncleanness. From the fragment each of the disciples filled his basket.

We may regard it simply as a miracle in which Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes. Some may find it hard to conceive of, and some may find it hard to reconcile with the fact that, that is just what Jesus refused to do at his temptation. There was explanation in this regard. It may be that this was really a sacramental meal. According to this explanation it could be that at this meal it was just a morsel, like the sacrament, that each person received; and that the thrill and wonder of the presence of Jesus and the reality of God turned the sacramental crumb into something which richly nourished their hearts and souls.

The second explanation is a lovely one. It could be thought that the crowd left on a nine-mile expedition without making any preparations at all. If there were pilgrims with them, they would certainly possess supplies for the way, but no one would produce what he had for HE SELFISHLY AND VERY HUMANLY WISHED TO KEEP IT ALL FOR HIMSLEF. The life of the boy was an example to the people around him, with the faith of the Lord Jesus that he thank the good God for providing this generous boy by giving what he had. The greatest miracle in which the presence of Jesus turned was the change in attitude of the people, the crowd of selfish men and women turned into a fellowship of sharers and givers. This is the biggest miracle one which changed not the loaves and fishes, but men and women.

Hattie, a little girl came to a small Sunday school and asked to be taken in, but it was explained that there was no room for her. In less than two years she got sick. Beneath her pillow was found a torn pocketbook with fifty seven coins in it, wrapped in scrap of paper on which was written “TO HELP BUILD THE LITTLE TEMPLE BIGGER, SO THAT MORE CHILDREN CAN GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL.” For two years she kept her money for the cause which was nearest to her heart.

The pastor told her story to the congregation and the people began making donations for the enlargement of their church building. And today in Philadelphia, can be seen a great church, the Baptist Temple, seating 3,300 people; a Temple College; a Temple Hospital; and a Temple Sunday School so large that all who wish may come and be comfortable. This is also the call to all of us to support and participate in the Ministry of our Church. We are all stewards of our own resources. We are called to respond.

A lad of 16 years of age named William left home to seek his fortune, all his possessions tied in a bundle carried in his hand. He met an old canal boat captain. William told him his father was too poor to keep him and the only trade he knew was soap and candle making.

The captain kneeled and prayed earnestly for the boy and advised; “Someone will soon be the leading soap maker in New York. It can be you as well as someone else. Be a good man, give your heart to Christ , pay the Lord all that belongs to Him, make an honest soap, give a full pound, and I’m certain you’ll be a prosperous and rich man.”

Into the city he remembered the captain’s words, and though poor and lonesome he united with a church. The first dollar earned gave 1/10 to God. Having a regular employment, he soon became a partner and latter the sole owner of the business.

He made an honest soap, gave a full pound and instructed his bookkeeper to open an account with the Lord of 1/10 of all income. The business grew so he gave 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, 5/10 and finally he gave all his income. This is the story of Mr. William Colgate.