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.
Water has been such a strong motif in the early chapters of John's gospel. The water had been turned into wine; it had featured strongly in John's baptism; the woman at Jacob's well had wanted living water; and at the pool of Bethsaida the water had been futile. In each case the word had prevailed over the water. But at the feeding of the 5000 where was the water? There had been food enough but nought to drink. Of course, there had been a great lake of the stuff for them to drink from, but here is Jesus' take on the water. Like salt that has lost its savor it is only fit to be trampled underfoot!
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