Reflection - Protection

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/043022.cfm
Acts 6:1-7
John 6:16-21

The Gospel reading for today is brief. In John’s Scripture text it is sandwiched between two, much better known events: the incident where Jesus feeds five thousand followers and the extended exchange concerning Jesus as the bread of life. As already said, the precursor to the Apostles traveling by night in a boat was the feeding of five thousand. In both Matthew and Mark, immediately following this incident, Jesus makes the Apostles leave via the boat. “Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Beth-sa'ida, while he dismissed the crowd.” (Mark 6:45) Matthew is similar. Neither evangelist tells us why Jesus did this. John does.

The feeding of so many people was a clear, recognizable sign of the presence of the Kingdom. The crowd was enormous. As they became aware of what Jesus had done, the excitement became intense. So too was the possibility of mob mentality taking charge. But their Messianic notions were at odds with the Messiah that Jesus actually was. Jesus himself will state the case just a few paragraphs later when he challenges their motivations: You seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

“Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by himself.” (John 6:15) So we see that Jesus was responsible for this late day journey across the water because he didn’t want the Apostles contaminated by the mistaken notions of the crowd.

The next day Jesus and the disciples are at a different city along the shore; but the crowd has followed them. It is then that Jesus calls out their true motivations which we hear the conversation whose beginning we just noted.

Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal."

Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"

Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."

So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? (NOTE: The request for a sign comes the day after the feeding of five thousand.)

Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ' He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "

Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." (John 26-33)

This is the beginning of an extended teaching in which Jesus repeatedly insists upon the necessity of consuming The bread of God . . . which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world. (John 6:33) Within moments that Bread will be specified as Jesus’ body and blood and many will then leave.

So our brief Scripture reading for today is sandwiched between two grave and potentially perilous situations. First, the crowd may attempt to make him into the king of their own choosing but then, later they will have to face the King that he is. In between is this brief account of the disciples in a boat . . . At night . . . With a storm brewing.

Jesus’ action in sending the Apostles on ahead by boat is not the first time Jesus would act to protect the chosen disciples. He did it when he told them to be silent about what they had seen. He did it when, in the Garden of Gethsemane, he told Peter to put away his sword. He did it when he promised to be with them always. In one situation after another he acts for their protection; and in the end he will pray at the Last Super: While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12) The reassurance that Jesus brings to those in the boat by his timely appearance is important in this context. The ministry and mission is on the verge of going haywire. But the truth which follows will be even more disruptive. Nevertheless, He is there and everything will be alright.

This reflection started off seeking to understand the significance of a few selected, but seemingly unimportant verses. When read in context I find them warmly inspiring, for they bring to mind the numerous times my Lord has protected me without my knowledge or understanding. He’s always there.