John 6:16-24

Jesus had withdrawn to the mountain (v 15) to be by Himself. Later the disciples got into the boat and headed for Capernaum. It was dark and a storm blew up. Some of the disciples were fishermen, and this storm was not that severe. Jesus came to them walking on the water. Not surprisingly this caused them some consternation. Mark records that they thought they were seeing a ghost. Sometimes people have the notion that the first century people were very gullible and would believe anything. This is not the case, they knew perfectly well how the world normally worked, and people did not normally walk on water.

Why did Jesus walk on water? Why did He feed the 5000 miraculously? In both cases there was a need, but in neither case does it seem to have been desparate. The crowds could have gone home and would not have died on the way. Jesus could have found some other way to get Capernaum, or made better arrangements in the first place. Perhaps this should challenge our whole attitude to miracles. Miracles should not be that unusual. In both cases a miracle provided the best solution. Perhaps we shiould be much more expectant of miracles happening. There does not need to be an absolutley dire need before God will do a miracle.

The crowds who had been part of the 5000 wanted to see more of Jesus, so they set off to find Him.