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A Night on the Lake
This chapter is based on Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John
6:14-21.
Seated on the grassy plain in the twilight of the spring evening,
the people ate the food Christ provided. The miracle of the loaves
appealed to everyone in that vast crowd. God had fed Israel with
manna in the desert, and who was this that had fed them that day, if
not the One whom Moses had foretold? They said one to another,
“This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
That crowning act was assurance that the long-looked-for De-
liverer was among them. He was the One who would make Judea
an earthly paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey. He could
break the power of the hated Romans. He could heal the soldiers
wounded in battle. He could supply whole armies with food. He
could give to Israel the long-sought rulership!
The people were ready to crown Him king immediately. They
saw that He made no effort to get honor for Himself, and they feared
He would never assert His claim to David’s throne. Consulting
together, they agreed to take Him by force and proclaim Him the
King of Israel. The disciples united with the crowd in declaring that
the throne of David was the rightful inheritance of their Master. Let
the arrogant priests and rulers be forced to honor Him who came
clothed with the authority of God.
But Jesus saw what was happening and what would be the result.
Violence and insurrection would follow, hindering the work of the
spiritual kingdom. He must stop the movement at once. Calling His
disciples, Jesus told them to take the boat and return right then to
Capernaum, leaving Him to dismiss the people.
Never before had a command from Christ seemed so impossible.
This seemed the golden opportunity to establish their beloved Master
on the throne of Israel. It was hard for them to go away by themselves
and leave Jesus alone on that desolate shore. They protested, but
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