Larry the Lubber
The opinions expressed by Larry the Lubber do not necessarily reflect the views of the crew — mostly because Larry is a pompous, sanctimonious authority on Scripture whose pontifications tend ter offend most everyone, even when he is right — which is ter often. – Staff
A good while after healing a fellow by the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (“house of mercy” or “house of grace” and could also mean “house of shame” or “house of disgrace”), Jesus took the disciples with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida — which means “house of the fisherman / hunter.”
While there, Jesus fed 5000 men, plus women and children. The writer John makes an interesting comment prior to this feeding.
Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When Jesus looked up, he saw a large crowd coming towards him. (John 6:4)
John, rather curiously, never revisits his mention of the Passover, offering no further clarification as to why he introduced this detail. What we are left with is the knowledge that, following the first Passover, when the Jews departed Egypt on their way to the Promised Land, God provided them with manna—”daily bread”—in abundance each day. In a similar vein, Jesus fed the multitude with five barley loaves, miraculously multiplying the bread so that everyone was satisfied. After the feast, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered—a poignant reminder of the twelve tribes journeying toward their promised inheritance.
While Jesus dismissed the crowd, he instructed the disciples to board a boat and proceed to Capernaum. Following their departure, Jesus withdrew to a mountainside to pray alone. This was a time of mourning for him, having recently grieved the death of his cousin, John the Baptist. The crowd and the act of feeding them had interrupted his period of deep lamentation and prayer. Later that night, while the boat was adrift in the middle of the lake, Jesus remained on the shore.
As evening fell, a fierce wind stirred the waters into turbulence. From his vantage point on the mountain, Jesus observed the disciples struggling against the wind as they battled their way westward.
Just before dawn, Jesus approached them, walking on the lake. Despite having rowed three or four miles, the disciples saw him advancing on the water.
Consider this for a moment: following the Passover and the Jews’ flight from Egypt, they found themselves ensnared between the advancing Egyptian army and the Reed Sea. Yet, God parted the waters, allowing them to traverse the sea on dry ground. When the Egyptians pursued, the waters returned and engulfed them. Now, Jesus walks upon the water as if it were dry land. When John mentions that the Passover was near, he might have intended for readers to reflect on God’s provision—how He made a path through the sea and sustained His people with manna.
To bolster our faith, Jesus sometimes sends us into tempestuous situations where the outcome seems unattainable. Such was the case for his disciples: cast into a storm, they feared for their lives. And what did they behold approaching them?
Frightened, and with Jesus about to pass them by, they called out, “It’s a ghost!”
But Jesus replied, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter said, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
Bid me come to you. This, my dear friends, is a most fitting plea when one finds oneself in dire straits—when lives are on the line and a miracle is the only hope.
“Come,” Jesus said.
Then Peter departed the boat, walked upon the water, and approached Jesus. Of all mankind’s feats—traversing vast seas, scaling towering mountains, exploring uncharted lands—none surpasses the marvel of walking on water. Aside from Jesus, Peter alone achieved this extraordinary blessing.
But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid. Beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Some interpret these words as a rebuke, yet could it not be that Jesus was complimenting Peter? A small measure of faith can serve as the foundation for greater faith. Perhaps Jesus was saying to Peter—and to us—”You have faith. Why do you doubt?”
Then they welcomed Jesus into the boat. As soon as he was aboard, the wind ceased. At this juncture, John Mark adds a noteworthy observation:
They were completely amazed for their hearts were hardened and they had not understood about the loaves. (Mark 6:52)
Five loaves turned into a feast for thousands, water became a path to the Son of Man, and a storm was instantly stilled. What are we longing for today? What barriers obstruct our approach to Jesus? What blessings might he be offering us amid our current trials? Where do we need his calm, peace, and protection in the face of harsh circumstances?
Those in the boat worshipped him, declaring, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” Immediately, they reached the shore of Capernaum, the Plain of Gennesaret, and anchored.
The crowd remaining on the opposite shore realized only one boat had been present, and that Jesus had not boarded it with his disciples. The disciples had departed alone. Boats from Tiberias arrived near the spot where the people had eaten the bread (Bethsaida) after the Lord had given thanks. When the crowd discovered that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they embarked on boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. As soon as they disembarked, they recognized him.
Peter took a grave risk when he stepped from the boat—he might have drowned. Indeed, when he focused on the storm rather than Jesus, he did sink. Peter risked everything to approach Jesus. Will we?
Consider that today’s storm might be sent by Jesus to bolster our faith, reveal a grander vision of his power and glory, and lead us into a life of miracles.