This is the second miracle of Jesus feeding a multitude and here there were 4,000 to feed. Still the disciples had little faith to believe that this could happen (v4). Are we like the disciples, slow to believe what Jesus can do?

The Pharisees (v12) bring out of Jesus a deep sigh of frustration and even anger. They have been given so much evidence, but they don’t want to believe. They are looking not for reasons to believe but excuses not to. Jesus warns the disciples of the influence of these people (v15) but they were too worldly-minded to understand. Leaven is small and acts slowly, but its impact can be tremendous. We need to be careful of subtle corrupting influences.

Jesus teaches them that from the two feeding miracles, they don’t need to focus primarily on material needs. God will provide materially, so they are free to concentrate primarily on the spiritual.

Here Jesus performs a very unusual healing miracle (v22-25), because the blind man was healed in two stages. It wasn’t that Jesus failed the first time, but by healing in two steps an important spiritual lesson is being given. People when they gain spiritual sight at salvation can still have much of their vision blurred. Peter illustrates this point vividly (v27-33). He knew Jesus was the promised Christ, the Saviour (v29), but He rejected the cross.

Do you see the absolute necessity of the cross, in Jesus’ life but also in ours (v34-38)? To follow Jesus means to suffer for Jesus and dying to self.