Jesus’ miraculous signs are piling up now (walking on water is the 5th).
John 6 is a long chapter and it stretches from a huge crowd of 5000+ getting fed by Jesus to a much smaller crowd by the end, so many having moved on because Jesus said they must eat his flesh.
It seems like discipleship can often be this. People are really (truly!) thankful for what Jesus can do for them. But when it comes to the sacrifice of being his disciple, they want no part.
But we aren’t there yet. Here we are with Jesus walking on water in front of only the disciples. But even here, the crowds can tell something is going on.
John 6:16-27
When evening came, Jesus’ disciples went down to the lake. They got into a boat and were crossing the lake to Capernaum. It was already getting dark and Jesus hadn’t come to them yet. The water was getting rough because a strong wind was blowing. When the wind had driven them out for about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He was approaching the boat and they were afraid. He said to them, “I Am. Don’t be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and just then the boat reached the land where they had been heading.
The next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the lake realized that only one boat had been there. They knew Jesus hadn’t gone with his disciples, but that the disciples had gone alone. Some boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they had eaten the bread over which the Lord had given thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus replied, “I assure you that you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don’t work for the food that doesn’t last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life.”
Prayer
God,
Thank you for this day and all it will bring. Help me to do my best.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.