September 26, 2026 - John 6-8

With his disciples, Jesus went up on the mountain on the far side of the Sea of Galilee.  Paul and I have been there; there’s a large sort of level indentation on the side of the mountain, and the great crowd that followed sat down there along with Jesus and his disciples.  After a long day, the people would be hungry, and the disciples were concerned that there was no food to give them.  Philip said to Jesus, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little” (6:7).  I love Jesus’ instruction, then, to the disciples:  “Have the people sit down” (6:10).  That’s great, isn’t it?  I just want to smile.  There’s a decisiveness, a finality about the matter!  No need for discussion.  No deliberation about what to do.  No elapsed time while things are figured out.  In fact, if I can point this out without being unduly worldly, there was not even a time of prayer.  Why would there be?  Jesus was right there before them!  Just this:  “Have the people sit down.”  You have to love it!  Jesus was there on the mountain side with the disciples and the crowd.  All was good.  And to his disciples in the boat in the midst of the storm, Jesus said, “It is I; do not be afraid” (6:20).  It’s good to have Jesus with us in this world!

Guide me, O my great Redeemer,

pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but you are mighty;

hold me with your powerful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,

feed me now and evermore,

feed me now and evermore.   –William Williams (1745)