Today, we see that news of John’s death resulted in Jesus’ desire to pull away and be alone for a while with his disciples. I am sure that Jesus knew this sobering news was a foreshadowing of what awaited Him. Jesus and the disciples got into a boat and withdrew to a remote area. Luke says they went to Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). But the crowds would not let them get away, so they followed by land. As soon as Jesus landed, the rest was over because a vast crowd waited on the shore.
Far from feeling impatience and frustration toward these needy people, Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick. While Jesus had hoped to be alone with the disciples for a time of rest, he did not send away this needy crowd. He had compassion for the people and took it upon himself to meet their needs. Jesus knew that his time on earth was short, so he took advantage of every opportunity to teach the Good News of the Kingdom to those willing to listen. Would to God that the Lord would develop this kind of leadership and selflessness in me, my family and the people of COV.
Jesus had been teaching the people until evening. Sunset was approaching, and the disciples wondered what Jesus planned to do with this crowd that had come far from their homes to be with them in this desolate place. The disciples brought their suggestion to Jesus: “Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” The disciples were very concerned regarding the people’s needs. After all, the people would need to reach a nearby town before sunset if they were going to obtain food. Jesus’ answer both astounded and exasperated them: “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” My sense is that Jesus directly involved his disciples in the miracle so that it would make a lasting impression on them.
There was nothing in the crowd but five loaves of bread and two fish—common staples for the poor of Jesus’ day. Apparently, in their hurry, no one else in the crowd had thought to bring along food to eat. A young boy offered his lunch to the disciples (John 6:8), but the disciples could see only the impossibility of the situation. Jesus had an entirely different approach, and he asked the disciples to bring the loaves and fish to him.
Jesus, acting as the host of the soon-to-be banquet, took the loaves and fish, looked up to heaven, and asked God’s blessing on the food. As Jesus broke the loaves, the miracle occurred. He broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to then give to the people. The disciples acted as waiters to the groups of hungry people seated on the grass, taking bread and fish, distributing it, and then returning to Jesus to get more. They continued to serve the crowd until everyone had had enough to eat.
The five loaves and two fish multiplied so that all the people could eat as much as they wanted. Even the leftovers were more than they had begun with. The Greek word translated men is andres, meaning not “people” but “male individuals.” Therefore, there were five thousand men, in addition to the women and children. The total number of people Jesus fed could have been over ten-fifteen thousand. Jesus did what the disciples thought to be impossible. He multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed over five thousand people.
The miracles of Jesus walking on the water and calming the storm (8:23-27) were a double demonstration of Jesus’ power over nature. Matthew and Mark highlighted the effects of these miracles on those who witnessed them. As soon as the crowd had been fed and the disciples had picked up the scraps, Jesus immediately got his disciples and the crowd moving. His sudden desire to dismiss the crowd and send the disciples off in their boat is explained in John’s Gospel. Upon seeing (and participating in) the miracle of multiplied loaves and fish, the people wanted to take Jesus by force and make him king (John 6:15). Before the crowd could become an unruly mob, Jesus sent the disciples back into the boat and sent the people home.
Jesus wanted time to communicate with his Father. He often went off alone to pray, so this may not have surprised the disciples, who departed in the boat as instructed. The disciples had left sometime before sunset, so by the time night fell, they were far away from land. They got into trouble, however, facing strong wind and heavy waves. At least the last time this had happened, Jesus had been in the boat with them (8:23-27). This time, Jesus was alone on the land, and the disciples were left to fend for themselves (or so they thought) against another raging storm.
From evening until about three o’clock in the morning, the disciples had been out on the sea, much of that time fighting a strong headwind and high waves. Jesus came to them, walking on the water. The Old Testament often describes God’s control over the seas. Jesus’ walking on the sea was an unmistakable picture of his divine identity and power (see Job 9:8; 38:16; Psalm 77:19; Isaiah 43:16). The disciples were battling exhaustion even before they got into the boat to head back across the lake. Their anticipated rest in a solitary place had been interrupted by the crowds. They had been battling the buffeting waves for some time. Suddenly, in the predawn mist, Jesus came walking toward them on the water. They reacted in terror, imagining that they were seeing a ghost. Once again, Jesus was doing the unexpected - the impossible. And, once again the disciples were not ready to grasp what it meant.
Jesus called out to the disciples over the storm, telling them, “Don’t be afraid.” The literal reading for “It is I" (14:27 NIV) - is the same as saying “the I AM is here” or “I, Yahweh, am here” (see Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 41:4; 43:10; 52:6). Jesus, the “I AM,” came with unexpected help and encouragement during the disciples’ time of desperate need. Their need was real; their fear was real. But in the presence of Jesus, fear can be dismissed.
Peter was the only one in the boat who reacted in faith. His impulsive request to also walk on water led him to experience a rather unusual demonstration of God’s power. Jesus’ presence in the storm caused Peter to exercise a fearless faith. But notice that he did so only with Jesus’ command to come. Notice also that he asked only to do what Jesus was doing; that is, he wanted to share in Jesus’ power, some of which the disciples had already been experiencing.
Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the high waves around him. His faith was strong enough to trust that he could walk on the water. But when he realized that he was in a terrifying storm, his faith wavered. How true this is of us - at times, we start out with good intentions, but sometimes our faith is weak. In Peter’s faltering faith we can see the path of discipleship. We have to exercise faith to have the power, but often we stumble and fail to grasp it fully. When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Christ, the only one who could help. When you are apprehensive about the troubles around you and doubt Christ’s presence or ability to help, remember to fix your eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
After Jesus grabbed Peter, saving him from drowning in the waves, Jesus’ questioned Peter why he had allowed the wind and waves to overwhelm his faith. Peter's response is not recorded, but I imagine that question stayed with him the rest of his life. (why do the storms of life seem to overwhelm us?)
Jesus and Peter then climbed back into the boat with the rest of the disciples. Then, as had occurred once before when the disciples had experienced another storm, the wind stopped. Jesus had revealed to them his complete mastery over nature. The disciples’ declaration, “truly You are the Son of God!” indicates a progression in faith. While the disciples worshiped him, they still had much to learn about who Jesus was and what he had come to do.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read?)
There is so much to digest in this passage. The miracle of the multiplying of fish and loaves of bread. Lord, increase our faith. Teach me, teach us how you can multiply our gifts and talents and resources, if only we will come to You in Faith.
How awesome is it see how even though being exhausted physically, Jesus cared for the needs of people. He always put the needs of others first. Lord, continue to do that kind of work in me.
Everyday, strip me of me. Today, work through me to lead and love just like You did. You know I'm tired. You know I'm a bit weary. Give me Your power and Your sustenance.
PRAYER
Lord, day by day, teach me more about Your ability to do the miraculous. Raise people up here at COV who will, by faith, trust You to do the impossible in their lives nad families. Build our faith and grow our trust in you. Raise up leaders at COV who will love Your church and Your people. Raise up teachers of the Word at COV. Raise up people who will get out of the boats they are in, and with eyes fixed on You, follow You by faith.
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