The Seven Signs in John: The Fourth Sign: Feeding 5,000 & Walking on Water

The proposition of this sermon is to find assurance in hardships by remembering we are chosen by God. The proposition is supported by explaining that the two signs point to Jesus as the divine messiah who is the prophet predicted by Moses (Deut. 18:15), but who is greater than Moses. Just as Moses gave Israel manna from heaven, so Jesus is the bread of life, and just as Moses parted the waters, Jesus walks on them. Further, the sermon argues that the feeding and walking on water signs function together as the fourth sign. In the Fourth Discourse, “The Bread of Life Discourse,” Jesus’ symbolism in explaining how the sign points to him as the divine messiah is offensive to both his opponents and his disciples. Consequently, some of his disciples desert him. Jesus responds to their desertion by assuring his remaining disciples that they will endure the hardship because he has chosen them. Remembering that we are chosen by God provides an assurance that results in comfort, endurance, and hope in times of hardship.