The Fifth Sign: Walking on Water
October 14, 2023
John 6:16-29 | 1 John 2:1-6
At this point in John, Jesus is performing signs left and right. But don’t blink, he soon won’t. We’re already on the fifth of only seven signs in the whole gospel.
But the signs continue to feel different than in the other gospels. Jesus points out to the people that the only reason they’re following him around is because they received the multiplied food (you have to admit it was pretty cool). But Jesus is redirecting us to see that the signs are just signs - they point to something (someOne) else - eternal life in God.
John 6:16-29
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.”
They asked, “What must we do in order to accomplish what God requires?”
Jesus replied, “This is what God requires, that you believe in him whom God sent.”
1 John 2:1-6
My little children, I’m writing these things to you so that you don’t sin. But if you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is God’s way of dealing with our sins, not only ours but the sins of the whole world. This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. The one who claims, “I know him,” while not keeping his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in this person. But the love of God is truly perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know we are in him. The one who claims to remain in him ought to live in the same way as he lived.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for Saturdays, a change in pace. We’ve gotten off a bit from the order and rhythm you established in creation. Help me to better understand the break that sabbath is. Give me not just rest, but your rest. Make my eyes shift and ears attuned not just to the absence of action and strife, but the peace that you give.
Restore my soul, Lord. Create in me the person I see in Jesus.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.