RBWords

  

     In the gospels of Mark and Matthew and John, the story of Jesus walking on the water takes place after the multiplication of the loaves.  However, in the Gospel of John, the story is much reduced and the "nature miracle" aspect of it is almost missing.  Clearly, the evangelist John has a different purpose for the story.  That purpose is related to the multiplication of the loaves but is found in the words, "It is I.  Do not be afraid." 

 

     Throughout the Gospel of John, the words, "I am!" serve as a revelation of who Jesus is by echoing the words from the burning bush in Exodus 3, when God reveals God's self to Moses.  The crowd in the previous scene at the multiplication of the loaves misunderstood Jesus' identity by considering him a kind of political "messiah."  He will soon challenge them in the "bread of life" discourse.  On the water, he reveals himself in words that echo, "I am."

 

     Like the crowds and others whom Jesus encounters in the Gospel of John, we are challenged to put aside our expectations of him and focus on what he is saying to us about his identity.  If we focus on "walking on water," or multiplying bread and fish, we are missing the point.  It is not a matter of what he does, but who he is!  AMEN