H2O
The Gospel of John has more symbolism than the other Gospels combined. John forcefully uses bread, light, and water – all elements necessary for human life – to teach us that Christ alone is at the core of our being. Without food, water, and light, then we are without Christ.
In several consecutive chapters of John, the use of water is powerful. The following paragraphs can be used a devotional meditations during Advent or, as illustrated, during Lent. They can be used to bookend a week of meditations with the first and last used as sermon material and the middle ones as material to be read during the week.
John 6:16-21
Fifth Sunday of Lent
When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
- A storm on the water is fearsome because boats can get destroyed by the water and lives can be lost. Fear is one of the most basic human emotions. Some of the disciples were fishermen and had probably been on the Sea of Galilee during storms. The rough sea had already alarmed them but then they see Jesus, walking on water.
- A couple of times Jesus shows the disciples his power over the elements: he calms the sea one time and walks on it in this case. God is in control over everything, even the laws of nature which state that objects which are heavier than water (such as a person) will sink. The disciples saw Jesus standing on water and it just didn’t make sense to them. They were full of fear.
- All of us have fear in our lives: grades, getting married, children, jobs, finances, illness, death, and too many others to count. Jesus used the water this time to show that God controls everything about our lives and our deaths.
- God is greater than our fears. While it is natural and human to have fears, we should never let them overwhelm us to the point where we’re sinking under them. How do you handle your fears?
Water is essential to our lives. Living water is essential to our souls.
Lead On!