“Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick.”
They followed Christ because He healed the sick. Not because He shouted at people. Sometimes He did shout at people. But they came to Him because of His miracles of healing.
“ Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”
He saw five thousand people ascending the mountain to be with Him because they had seen His healing work. Imagine five thousand people walking toward you, wanting to see you. Imagine that all of them want either a favor for themselves, or to witness you do a magic trick. And He didn’t shoo them away because they wanted earthly favors and interesting signs from Him instead of being serious Christians who hold fast even in times of darkness and suffering. He just started to make them a meal, because they were hungry.
“Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”
He did then what He still does to this day. He found one of His followers who was willing to be generous and help– a little boy with five rolls and two fish. He accepted the boy’s kindness and generosity. He worked a miracle, through that kindness, and everyone had enough to eat. The whole multitude ate their fill.
And then He did another thing He still does to this day. He sent His apostles out to gather up everything left over, with nothing wasted or left behind. They didn’t go out into the field saying “Good riddance, you should have read a book” to bits and pieces that were broken or gnawed or unappetizing. They gathered every single trampled, miserable crumb into baskets and took them to Christ because Christ asked for them specifically. Each apostle came back with a basketful of his own. Twelve baskets, where there had been five barley loaves and two fish.
That’s what you get for reading John Six. You realize that John Six is not a scourge to hurt people who are losing their faith. John Six is a solemn command to members of the Apostolic churches to go out and gather in the broken fragments who have fallen away. The unappetizing ones. Christ wants them, even if they make you say “Good riddance.”
There you have it.
It’s almost never okay to tell someone who’s leaving the Church to read John Six, but you yourself should read it.
John Six tells us what to do with those people who are leaving the Church.
Have compassion, meet their needs, and keep trying to gather them back if you can.
That’s what you get for reading the Gospel.
Now, go and do.
(image via Pixabay)
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