JesusX30 Challenge—Scene 15: THE SURGE & THE SIFTING
1. Key Texts
Matthew 14:13–36—Feeding the 5,000, Walking on Water
Mark 6:30–56—Feeding and Sea Miracle
John 6:1–71—Bread of Life Discourse and Mass Defection
Exodus 16—Manna in the Wilderness
Job 9:8—God “walks on the sea”
Psalm 89:9–10—God rules the raging sea
2. Outline / Notes
Date & Place
• Summer 28 AD, northeast side of the Sea of Galilee near Bethsaida-Julias.
• Jesus and the Twelve retreat after John the Baptist’s death and their mission journey.
Main Accounts
A. The Feeding of the 5,000–Power and Expectation
• The only miracle recorded in all four Gospels.
• A crowd of thousands, hungry and exhausted, gather around Jesus.
• The disciples urge him to send them away; Jesus replies, “You give them something to eat.”
• To the people, this echoes Moses feeding Israel in the wilderness—God’s new Exodus seems to have begun.
• The crowd tries to seize Jesus to make him king by force (Jn 6:15).
• Jesus withdraws. He will not be crowned by popular demand.
B. The Walking on the Water–Chaos and Confession
• While Jesus prays, the disciples battle wind and waves through the night.
• Around the fourth watch (3–6 a.m.), Jesus walks on the Sea toward them.
• In the ancient world, the Sea symbolized chaos and death.
• The Gospels use the same phrase as Job 9:8—God “walks on the sea as on dry land.”
• Jesus speaks: “Take courage. I AM (egō eimi). Do not be afraid.”
• Peter steps out and joins him but falters when fear takes over. Jesus lifts him up: “Why did you doubt?”
• The storm ceases.
• The disciples respond, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
• For the first time in Matthew, this confession comes from the disciples.
C. The Bread of Life–The Sifting of the Crowd
• The next day, the crowd tracks Jesus to Capernaum.
• They want more bread, not more truth. Jesus exposes their motives: “You seek me because you ate your fill.”
• Then he deepens the metaphor: “I am the Bread of Life.”
• When he adds, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you,” many turn away.
• His teaching forces a decision—consumer faith or covenant faith.
• The crowd leaves; Jesus asks the Twelve, “Do you also want to go?”
• Peter answers: “Lord, where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
3. Main Point
• Scene 15 is the hinge of Jesus’ Galilean campaign.
• The crowds surge with excitement, but Jesus sifts them with truth.
• He rejects worldly kingship, redefines divine power, and reveals his identity as the true Son of God—the one who walks upon chaos and gives life through himself.
4. Exegetical Insight
• Greek egō eimi (“I AM”) = divine self-revelation, echoing Exodus 3:14.
• Peripatōn epi tēs thalassēs (“walking on the sea”) parallels LXX Job 9:8—Jesus enacting divine authority.
• “Twelve baskets” (Mt 14:20) = symbolic fullness—provision for all Israel.
• “Eat my flesh and drink my blood” = covenant language of participation.
• The verb anebē (“he went up the mountain”) recalls Moses and Elijah—moments of divine encounter preceding revelation.
5. Reflection Questions
• What kind of king do you want Jesus to be?
• When has following him challenged your assumptions about success or comfort?
• Are you seeking him for what he gives—or for who he is?
• What storms has he called you to step into, and what fears hold you back?
6. Action Step / Challenge
• Read John 6 this week—note the shift from excitement to disillusionment.
• Identify one way you’ve been following Jesus for “bread” rather than transformation.
• Pray for courage to trust him when the crowd walks away.
• Reflect on Peter’s words: “Lord, where else would we go?”
Buy the books!
This 30-day challenge is based on my book trilogy entitled Jesus: The Strategic Life and Mission of the Messiah and His Movement (3 Volumes, Hekhal Publishing Co., 2025).
You can buy or borrow the trilogy at:
hekhal.co
Amazon (print or ebook)
Barnes & Noble (print or ebook)
Hoopla (borrow)
