14 When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

15 Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

16 When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was already dark, and Jesus had not yet gone out to them. 18 A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated.

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. 20 But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Lauren Sing

In today’s passage, we see the glory of Jesus, who the Old Testament prophets wrote about, and we also see the response of those who have been expecting him.

The Jews were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the great Prophet who Moses spoke about in Deuteronomy 18:15, and they had been looking for signs of his coming. Jesus’ teaching and miracles have rightly convinced them that Jesus IS the prophet they were expecting. But Jesus is so much more than just a prophet. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, born as a man to fulfil God's plan to save us. The crowd are also misguided in thinking that Jesus came to be a political leader and to sit on an earthly throne. That is why Jesus, the heavenly king, departs from the approval of the crowd.

Jesus then shows his disciples another miracle. Through the disciples' trust in Jesus and Jesus’ care for them, he is able to bring them safely through the storm, back across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. Despite their initial fear at the supernatural help they are receiving from Jesus, he is able to calm them by reassuring them of who he is. Jesus, the Messiah, has complete control over nature and is able to perform miraculous wonders.

In response to what we’ve read in John 6, we can thank God for the gift of Jesus, and that Jesus perfectly fulfils the Old Testament covenants and prophesies – fully man and fully God, that He is trustworthy and deserving of all praise and glory. Even in dark times, when it feels like we are rowing a boat against a fierce current in the pitch black of night, may we be able to fully trust in God’s timing and that he will sustain us in His power and strength.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lauren is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.