John 6:22-30 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone..... Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?...."
Let me set the rest of the scene for you. Jesus had just fed 5000 men (and unknown numbers of women and children) with 5 loaves and 2 fish after having spent unknown amounts of time preaching and teaching them. The disciples left without Jesus - for reasons unknown. Perhaps he sent them. Perhaps they thought he was already on the boat but didn't look for fear of disturbing his prayer time. So they left to go back across the large lake. The crowds were apparently still mingling around but it was night so they were possibly sleeping, certainly not actively looking for Jesus or more miraculous signs than all that food from the small amount that was provided.
When Jesus is done praying on the mountain (see verse 15) he heads for the boat - which has already left...and which is now being pitched in the rough water and strong wind (see verse 18). Jesus heads across the water, on top of the rough waves and in the strong winds, and in the dark. According to verse 19, they had rowed three to three and a half MILES across the lake when the disciples see something on top of the water, coming toward or at least near their boat. They yell at the whatever-it-is that's approaching, to scare it away? To determine what it is? To make sure it is really Jesus? Who knows but they yell and Jesus answers. (see verse 20)
Eventually they reach the other shore.
Then the next day, the crowd realized that Jesus and company had departed so they took off in search of Jesus. According to verse 25, they found him on the other side of the lake. They asked how he got there. According to verse 22 they knew that Jesus hadn't left in the same boat with his disciples and that there had only been one boat. So asking how he got there was a perfectly good question.
But in the way that Jesus did so frequently, he didn't answer the question exactly, with something like, "I walked over here on the water until I caught up to the boat". He answered by telling them that he knew why they were looking for him,that they wanted to see more miracles, not more Jesus. Eventually, they even ask for more miraculous signs. (see verse 30).
Did you catch the point of this post? Jesus disappeared from one side of the lake, then reappeared on the other side of the lake with no apparent way of having done so. There was a miracle in the night that the crowd completely missed and didn't even contemplate. One big miracle - feeding all of them with little food - followed by one more quiet one (walking on water). Yes, it was dark so they would not have been able to see Jesus walking on the water but they didn't even consider the possibility of a miracle OR they were already taking the miracles for granted. Not recognizing the miracles around them.
So I'm wondering how many miracles I miss because I make assumptions, have my eyes closed, or don't ask the obvious questions. I also wonder how much more do we need? God has provided so many things to guide us to Him, to point to Him as the only source, the only creator, the only sustainer. But we need more signs. I'll follow you, God, if you ..... I'll obey you, God, if you...... I know I am guilty of this.
Forgive me, Dear God, for looking at You as entertainment, as the holy Santa Claus, as my plaything. I am often ungrateful. Please forgive my over-indulgent living. Continue to guide me and teach me to be more and more thankful and to watch for all those places where You show up when I least expect it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?...."
Let me set the rest of the scene for you. Jesus had just fed 5000 men (and unknown numbers of women and children) with 5 loaves and 2 fish after having spent unknown amounts of time preaching and teaching them. The disciples left without Jesus - for reasons unknown. Perhaps he sent them. Perhaps they thought he was already on the boat but didn't look for fear of disturbing his prayer time. So they left to go back across the large lake. The crowds were apparently still mingling around but it was night so they were possibly sleeping, certainly not actively looking for Jesus or more miraculous signs than all that food from the small amount that was provided.
When Jesus is done praying on the mountain (see verse 15) he heads for the boat - which has already left...and which is now being pitched in the rough water and strong wind (see verse 18). Jesus heads across the water, on top of the rough waves and in the strong winds, and in the dark. According to verse 19, they had rowed three to three and a half MILES across the lake when the disciples see something on top of the water, coming toward or at least near their boat. They yell at the whatever-it-is that's approaching, to scare it away? To determine what it is? To make sure it is really Jesus? Who knows but they yell and Jesus answers. (see verse 20)
Eventually they reach the other shore.
Then the next day, the crowd realized that Jesus and company had departed so they took off in search of Jesus. According to verse 25, they found him on the other side of the lake. They asked how he got there. According to verse 22 they knew that Jesus hadn't left in the same boat with his disciples and that there had only been one boat. So asking how he got there was a perfectly good question.
But in the way that Jesus did so frequently, he didn't answer the question exactly, with something like, "I walked over here on the water until I caught up to the boat". He answered by telling them that he knew why they were looking for him,that they wanted to see more miracles, not more Jesus. Eventually, they even ask for more miraculous signs. (see verse 30).
Did you catch the point of this post? Jesus disappeared from one side of the lake, then reappeared on the other side of the lake with no apparent way of having done so. There was a miracle in the night that the crowd completely missed and didn't even contemplate. One big miracle - feeding all of them with little food - followed by one more quiet one (walking on water). Yes, it was dark so they would not have been able to see Jesus walking on the water but they didn't even consider the possibility of a miracle OR they were already taking the miracles for granted. Not recognizing the miracles around them.
So I'm wondering how many miracles I miss because I make assumptions, have my eyes closed, or don't ask the obvious questions. I also wonder how much more do we need? God has provided so many things to guide us to Him, to point to Him as the only source, the only creator, the only sustainer. But we need more signs. I'll follow you, God, if you ..... I'll obey you, God, if you...... I know I am guilty of this.
Forgive me, Dear God, for looking at You as entertainment, as the holy Santa Claus, as my plaything. I am often ungrateful. Please forgive my over-indulgent living. Continue to guide me and teach me to be more and more thankful and to watch for all those places where You show up when I least expect it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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