March 15 | John 6:1-24
- Elaine Pierce
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
He's Not Safe - He's the King!
By Elaine Pierce
In these 24 verses Jesus is busy: he feeds 5,000 people with 5 small loaves of bread and 2 pieces of fish, and he walks across the Sea of Galilee to join the disciples in their boat. John doesn't record what the reaction of the disciples was when he turned such a small amount of food into enough for 5,000 with plenty left over (although I imagine they were amazed and almost incredulous: how did he do that??). John does tell us, however, that when the disciples saw Jesus approaching their boat, walking on foot while a strong wind was blowing and the water was rough, that they were terrified.
Terrified. Wouldn't you be? Is this really Jesus, or is a ghostly apparition come to do them harm? How does Jesus calm their fears? He says, quite simply: "It is I; don't be afraid (v. 20).' [ Matthew's account of this same incident adds the phrase 'take courage!']
Has Jesus ever frightened you? Does that seem like the kind of question a "good Christian" shouldn't ask? Proverbs 9:10 says The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And Isaiah 55:8 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD." Jesus was not just a skilled rabbi, teaching us to love each other. He was truly God and truly man, and he came not to bring us comfort and ease, but to offer us so much more - eternal life for starters!
God is both terrifying and good. When the children meet Aslan, the lion, in C. S. Lewis's wonderful book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, they are fearful, and they wonder if they will be safe. After all, lions are fearsome beasts. But Mr. Beaver, who has met Aslan, is quick to set them straight:
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."
Jesus loves you and me far more than we can fully comprehend on this side of heaven. But he's not a lucky charm you put in your pocket and pull out when you think you need a little extra something. He's the King of the Universe! He's not safe - thanks be to God!
PRAYER
So often Lord, I make you smaller and safer than you are. I fail to trust you, and at times I am frightened when I see you walking on water toward my little boat that is tossed about in the sea. Help me to trust you even when I don't see where you want me to go, when I don't see the final outcome. You are good, you are the King of King and Lord of Lords. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELAINE PIERCE
It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!
These two events connect to John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." First, on our own, we are insufficient. The boy's resources are meager, but with Jesus' intervention, they are more than enough. Second, Jesus' walking on the water, to me, was meant to demonstrate his power over the natural world so that the disciples and, by extension, the world, would understand. Literally, with God, nothing is impossible. The gospel of John continues to amaze me.