June 9, 2019 -- John 6:14 -- Jesus The Prophet

When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 

“This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

John 6:14 ESV

According to Deuteronomy 18 when God the Father raises up a prophet from among the people of God, this man must: accurately prophesy and if his words do not come true he is not be feared nor obeyed. However, if the man speaks truly he is to be honoured as the prophet of God. Such prophets in the Old Testament pointed to Him Who would be The Prophet—the final Truth-bearer to be believed and the One Who leads us to the Father in heaven.

In the Gospel of John one of the titles for Jesus is “The Prophet”. In chapter 1 John the Baptist denied he was “The Prophet” instead he was proclaiming “The Prophet” is near at hand. In our brief text today a crowd of five thousand men (so one would guess it was an even greater number of people when you consider the women and children who were there also) was fed by Jesus. He took the five barley loaves and two fish which a boy gave to Him and miraculously Jesus used this to feed the whole multitude. By the signs of feedings crowds, speaking truthfully, prophesying perfectly Jesus proved He is The Prophet.

Jesus is The Prophet because the signs He performed pointed to the work of God.

Jesus is The Prophet because He faithfully told the people how the Old Testament prepared the world for His coming in power.

Jesus is The Prophet because He is the last, perfect Word the Father has given to the world. No other prophet is needed.

Jesus is The Prophet because He is fully human, as required by Deuteronomy, raised up from among the people, and the works He performed are right and true. Jesus is the Prophet Who He teaches the people the one way to salvation by which their sins will be forgiven. Jesus is that way.

The Mohammedans of the world claim they have the prophet but their teaching is blasphemous. The Prophet is Jesus Christ and there is no other Name under heaven by which men can be saved (Acts 4:12).

Jesus, Our True Prophet, thank You for opening the way to God. Thank You for Your Word which is truth. Thank you, Jesus, for the Spirit, poured out at Pentecost, by Whom we understand and are empowered to believe the veracity of Your claim. Spirit of the Living God, on this Lord’s Day, let the words of The Prophet, have great effect to the glory of the Father. Amen.