Thoughts on the Gospel of John (66) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews was near.
John 6: 1 - 4.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (66)
The evangelist John reports basically events that the other three evangelists do not mention. The great exception is the feeding of the five thousand, which all four evangelists report. It clearly has special significance from all four angles of their accounts of the life of Jesus Christ.

The scene has changed from Jerusalem (ch. 5) to the eastern bank of the Lake of Genessaret in the north of the land. A multitude has been following the Lord because of His miraculous signs on the sick. This was not the first time that people felt drawn to Jesus. In Jerusalem, too, . But seeing Jesus as a mighty benefactor to mankind is not sufficient. We must accept Him for His divine glory and allow His Word to speak to our hearts, or we shall not profit spiritually.

Jesus withdrew to higher regions, not wanting to be in the spotlight of the public. He intended to teach His disciples, which He generally did sitting. The writer omits the fact that other motives played a part here, e.g. the beheading of John the Baptist, the apostles' return from their mission or the much needed rest after their strenuous work. Jesus is the central figure: everything is in His hand, and He takes the initiative. To this aspect the Holy Spirit gives great emphasis in this gospel.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today‘s reading: 2 Kings 25: 18 - 30 · Psalms 112: 1 - 10