Anchor My Faith

The Crowds Want Jesus as King

Scripture: Matthew 4:23; Mark 6:45; Jn 6:14-15

In the previous lesson the power of Jesus created the necessary food as the disciples took it to the groups of people. As the people eat this common food, but produced in a most unusual way, what do you think the people might be thinking? ^{Jn 6:14} “When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”’

Moses spoke of this prophet in Deuteronomy 18:18 (ESV) “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” Peter speaks of this in Acts 7:35 – 37 (ESV): 35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’

Moses was described as a ruler, judge and redeemer and led the people out of Egypt by performing wonders and signs. Jesus is this prophet Moses spoke of, who was so much like him, but Jesus was much more; he was also the Messiah. The title of prophet was not a common title for Jesus and was used primarily by people who knew little about him. The people, here with Jesus, see him only as a prophet, who like Moses could deliver them from their bondage to Rome. They don’t understand his role as Messiah because they don’t have a correct understanding of the true Messiah.

Jesus understands what the people are about to do and takes appropriate action. ^{Jn 6:15} “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king. ^{Mk 6:45} Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ^{Mt 4:23} And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.”

Jesus understands that the people are thinking about Moses and how with the use of miracles he delivered the people out of Egypt and that he was like Moses. Jesus could see their intent of making him king to free them from Roman control. That was not the assignment the Father sent Jesus on, so he had to move quickly and slow the people down. He commanded the disciples to get into the boat and go without him, across the sea to Bethsaida. Then, somehow, he dismissed the crowds and they apparently left because he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.

As we end this lesson, we find the disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, headed toward Bethsaida, the crowds on their way home, and Jesus up on the mountain praying. This prompts a question about how Jesus plans to meet up with the disciples, who have the boat.

Conclusion

The 5000 plus women and children have been fed and now they want to make Jesus king. He takes control of the situation by sending his disciples to Bethsaida by boat and the crowds to their homes and he goes up on the mountain to pray. In view of what the people are thinking, and considering the mission Jesus was sent on, what do you think Jesus prayed about? Where and how does Jesus plan to rejoin his disciples? Father guide us in our understanding of Jesus and our walk with him.