After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to some into the world.”  Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew to a mountain by himself (John 6:14-15).

Notice the details.

The Feeding of the 5000 is the only one of Jesus’ miracles reported in all four Gospels.  The outline is the same: A crowd has followed Jesus to a “remote” place.  Day is waning, and there is nowhere to go for food.  The disciples are anxious—this situation could get dicey.  Woefully inadequate resources are available, just five loaves of bread and two small fish.  Jesus receives the “little” that is offered and turns it into a more-than-enough meal for the entire crowd, with twelve basketsful left over (presumably one for each formerly anxious, now well-fed disciple).

Each Gospel writer notices and includes some unique details.  For Matthew, Jesus has compassion on the crowd and heals their sick, even before the miraculous feeding.  Mark notices that the grass the people sat on was green, Luke that Jesus welcomed the crowd and spoke to them about the kingdom of God.

John draws our attention to how things ended.  The other Gospels say that Jesus dismissed the crowd; John tells us why.

We’ve noticed earlier this week that John 6 is filled with Exodus language and Exodus references.  This crowd has noticed it, too: who miraculously fed God’s people in a remote place?  Moses!  And what had God promised his people (see Deuteronomy 18:15, 18)?  Another Moses, a new Moses!  

The people have witnessed, participated in, a miracle!  A miracle that clearly connects to a yet-unfulfilled promise!  Connect the dots: this Jesus must be “the new Moses,” the promised Prophet – the Messiah!

When a new king ascends to the throne, what do his loyal subjects do!  Cheer, have a parade, big celebration: “Long live the King!”  If the King seems a bit, well, shy (“Why do such a mighty wonder in the middle of nowhere?  You don’t belong here in the boonies; you belong in Jerusalem.  We know how to get you there.  Let’s go!”), the people are prepared to “help.”  Jesus knew that they intended to make him king by force – and will have none of it.

Jesus is not a king, not even the king (the current occupant of a throne).  He is The King.  He does not fit into our mold for “king.”  Everything we think about “king” needs to be melted down and poured into the mold that is Jesus.

We think we know what “God” means; Jesus shows us that God is not who we think God is, God is who Jesus is.  

Everything is redefined by Jesus, recreated in Jesus, remade through Jesus.  Beginning with us, and what we think it looks like when God becomes king.

What’s one way you could receive Jesus as the King he already is rather than trying to mold him according to what you think “king” means?

If you’d like to read or re-read the overview/summary of this week’s passage, you can find it here.