John 6:19-21 Walking on water_

When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. John‬ ‭6:19-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

John 6 contains a parade of the miraculous — the food multiplied, walking on water, the boat immediately transported to their destination. Amazing things!

God is love. Like his Father, Jesus was motivated by love. His disciples were in trouble and he cared deeply for them. He didn’t call them only to lose them in a freak accident. On the mountain praying, I can imagine his spirit being aware of the storm, both outside and inside making them afraid. Go to them. Help them. Bring peace. Yet even in the doing, he did something else that would help them in the future— he demonstrated again that without a doubt he came from God.

Although I’m not surprised that Jesus has authority over the elements, I still don’t understand it. It is easy to read these verses like I read any book — it’s an amazing story, but it’s not something I can readily relate with because I have not experienced it. These are incredible words with incredible implications. But it’s different than if I were the one watching it happen to me. And today, if Jesus asked me to walk on water like he did, the way I respond would tell me a lot about myself.

The laws of earth are not restrictions for him. In fact, the elements are the skin, a thin veil, over a more profound reality of heaven. When I see something occurring on earth, there is always something occurring in heaven. As much I have held a view of heaven more suited to children’s books, I recognize that I need my understanding to grow up. “Heaven” is not simply the afterlife. It’s a reality today, even if I don’t see it. The kingdom of heaven is in transition and it’s a great stage where an epic drama is playing out. And I am part of this drama. There is an adversary that has freedom to roam about and he accuses us before the Father every day. I understand that in matters of justice, God is not a respecter of people, even his own. He is an impartial judge. This great drama of the kingdom is unfolding before me and is not as simple as my kindergarten mind would like to make it. Yes, “God is in control.” Yes, “heaven is a good place.” But there is also a kingdom under siege by our opponent. And it is this drama in which we see the earth in upheaval — and the upheaval of the wind and waves — yet our Lord Jesus has overcome the world. He has authority to affect this earth and its environment. He may walk on water… and do whatever else the imagination permits him to do. And as much as this may cause me to pause, his followers are at the focus of His attention. Christ has overcome. Heaven is now waiting for me. Will I also overcome? He taught us to pray, “…thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,” and it will as I allow him to invade my heart.

It helps to understand the broader context. Jesus had a mission to accomplish: to embed faith deeply, unshakably into the hearts of the 12 disciples. Besides offering his life for sin, his “work” or job description was to generate belief. To help his followers see, taste, and touch the living Messiah, the payment for sin, and believe in him. One of his last prayers before being crucified he said:

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. John‬ ‭17:4, 6-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

He did these things for his disciples to consider. Believe. And then emulate. Jesus grew up with a transparent view of the kingdom and all of it’s possibility. Yet these disciples had different perspectives embedded from their observation of life on the earth. And how deep and gnarly are the roots of that perspective. Even at the end of this story, Mark makes a comment, ”…they understood not, for their heart was hardened.” Imagine, they saw all this but it did not penetrate their heart. Good kingdom seed, even great seed! But it did not take root. The miracles alone were not doing the job. The soil was still hard. If you are a farmer, then the analogy is apt: the plow would have to churn things up. In fact, a lot. Later in this chapter, Jesus challenged all of his disciples as any good plow would do. And ultimately the cross and the resurrection would create deep furrows in their soul of humility and grace into which a seed finally takes root. Irrevocably. But one thing for sure, all of these instances of heaven and earth colliding, blowing their minds, would be logged and registered internally that when the Holy Spirit took up residence, their souls and spirits would be informed and emboldened to believe and behave as sons of God.

Adversity and stormy seas don’t rock Jesus’ boat. In another instance, he was asleep. Here, he is impervious to the threat. And those he loves do not need to be rocked either by stormy seas, or stormy life. I personally love how visually and spiritually this demonstrates his authority over the elements and his tender care for his own.

These miraculous events were for the disciples, but they speak of the possibilities for me and others today. If I want to be his follower, I too must have my own stories. Miraculous stories of his provision, rescue, and help getting where I want to go — instantly. If the disciples had troubled being convinced after watching Jesus from a front row seat, do I think I can simply choose to believe and then be transformed the same way? He doesn’t change… he wants me to see first hand his greatness and dominion today and every day.