History records many tales of survival.

One is Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor left on the Juan Fernandez Islands off Chile in 1704. Fearing his ship would sink, he asked to stay behind. The captain, tired of his complaints, agreed — but soon after, he was proved right, and the ship went down.

Selkirk lived four years alone, catching fish and taming goats. His voice weakened from silence. Hunger stalked him, yet a worn Bible gave comfort. When rescued, his story inspired Robinson Crusoe. It reminds us we are fragile beings who depend on daily bread. Without it, we perish.

About 30 AD, on a grassy hillside near the Sea of Galilee, another crowd faced hunger. Five thousand men, plus women and children, had followed Jesus. A boy offered five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus gave thanks, broke the food, and fed them all. When everyone was satisfied, 12 baskets of leftovers were gathered. “Gather the fragments,” He said, “that nothing be lost,” (John 6:12).

This was no clever sharing. It was a sign — meaning an unmistakable act of God. Biblical miracles are not lucky breaks but open demonstrations of divine power; seas parted, manna fell from the sky, water sprang from rock. Around 1446 BC, God sustained Israel daily in the wilderness. They could not hoard manna; they had to trust Him each morning.

The people who saw Jesus’ miracle knew their history. Moses had promised, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me” (Deut. 18:15). Isaiah spoke of a banquet where death would be swallowed up (Isaiah 25:6–8). David wrote, “He makes me lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2). The crowd exclaimed, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come…” (John 6:14).

They were right — but only partly. Excitement grew. They wanted to crown Jesus as a warrior-king to overthrow Rome. Their Scriptures spoke of a ruler whose kingdom would never end (Psalm 2; Daniel 7), but they ignored another prophecy: the Servant who would suffer for sin (Isaiah 53). When Jesus spoke of His coming death, Peter couldn’t grasp this defeatist prediction and objected, “God forbid it, Lord!” but Jesus replied, “Get behind Me, Satan” (Matt. 16:21–23). Peter was more interested in man’s purposes than God’s.

The crowd’s hunger was not just for bread but for power. They wanted a Messiah who fitted their plans. Jesus withdrew. He had come first to save, not to conquer. Later, He said, “You seek Me … because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26).

We can be the same — wanting blessings without obedience. Yet, Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples” (John 8:31). Faith means walking in His lane, not asking Him to step into ours.

At the 2010 Winter Olympics, athletes lost gold medals for finishing in the wrong lane. They had trained for years but were disqualified. Life can be like that. Many live decently yet miss the only lane that leads to eternal life — Jesus Himself.

Jesus insists on one lane: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No-one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). He calls each of us to walk in His lane. What lane are you in today?

Ps David McAllan

Echuca Community Church

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Tuesday, 8th February 2028

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