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even only interiorly. This is a metaphor for taking your troubles to Jesus.
What is odd about these two pairings is that John tries to explain in this Epistle that Jesus did
come in the FLESH. Yet it is used with a miracle working Gospel of Jesus WALKING ON WA-
TER and CALMING THE SEA. Two events not very likely to happen to anyone else IN THE
FLESH. Only God could perform this “magic”, surely no human could do such a thing.
In the first part of the Gospel we see that after the big event of feeding five thousand, Jesus
went away to be alone and pray. I personally can relate as I move through weekly events, I
too notice how I must balance the “out in front of the crowd” with my alone time. Time to my-
self, whether I think I’m in prayer or not.
Jesus was alone on the shore. And what does it mean, “He meant to pass by them”? Does it
mean Jesus had no intention of stopping? Maybe not, until he saw their fear. But their fear
was about HIM, not the angry sea. Their fear was they thought they were seeing a ghost.
And Jesus’ classic line, “Do not be afraid.” Again, this is something we are told many times
whether in mass, at funerals, or even songs have been written about, do not be afraid. And
when Jesus got into the boat the sea calmed. When Jesus joins us in our battles, our daily
excursions, the seas calm.
Then again, it says they didn’t understand the incident of the loaves.
Didn’t believe it? Didn’t know how it could happen, so here again, right
in front of their faces, in case there be any doubt, Jesus creates two
more miracles.
I like miracles. I like the thought that they happen, can happen, and
will happen when you least expect it. A famous TV evangelist likes to
say, “Get up each morning expecting a miracle.” Expecting your life to
be affected, expecting your life to change.
Remember in this scenario, Jesus had sent the disciples out into the
boat to go BEFORE him to the other side. He sent them into the storm
so to speak but he knew the end of the story.
Where is God sending you? Sending me? Where am I going today,
that is going to get rocky before it is over? Where is God sending me
that I’ll have to batten down hatches and ride the waves a bit before I
SEE Him join me. I have to have the courage to set out, to being in the
boat ride while He waits on the shore alone.
I have to cross over on my own. I have to at least startB.or how am I
going to witness the miracle of the “water
-
walking” Jesus?
Prayer
I pray WE get up each morning expecting to see someone walking on
water towards us. Expecting the storm to die down, expecting some-
thing to grab me by the hand and say “take courage”.
_____
Nancy Bevins
Video Ministry