“That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.”
John 6:16-17 NLT
“Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.”
Matthew 14:22-23 NLT
There are slight differences between Matthew’s and John’s account of what happened after the miraculous feeding of five thousand men and their families. John gave us the facts, and Matthew put in a few extra details. But such differences bring the Gospels to life, because they typically provide genuine witness statements. In a court of law, different people, witnesses, will provide different perspectives of an event, building a picture for the court’s benefit.
But the next part of Jesus’ ministry was over on the Western side of the Sea (or Lake) of Galilee. He had accomplished all that His Heavenly Father had asked Him to do for the people East of the Northern part of the Sea. They had heard His message, seen miraculous signs, but it was now up to them. It is the Holy Spirit who brings a change in people’s lives, and He was soon to come to the world, after Jesus had departed on the Day of Ascension. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me” (John 16:8-9). Those people would have made the journey back to their homes, stomachs full, minds buzzing with all they had seen and heard. Spiritually elated, they returned home to find the same hard and difficult way of life that they had had before. As we pilgrims know, after every Sunday there is always a Monday morning.
As the disciples started the journey back to Capernaum in an open boat with oars, there was nothing unusual there that they hadn’t done many times before. They were probably wondering why Jesus wasn’t going with them, but perhaps assumed He had some other business to attend to and would join them in a week or two. Jesus did have some very important business on His agenda – spending time with His Heavenly Father in prayer. And it wasn’t a short prayer at all because “night fell” while He was up in the hills on His own. In a small way I can relate to praying with a natural environment all around me. In the countryside around my home in the West of Fife, it is sometimes very quiet and deserted, especially early in the morning. God’s wonderful creation is all around and, somehow, it provides an altar before God better than any church building. I find myself worshipping God with Him all around me, bringing answers to prayer, comfort and assurance when needed, and a confirmation that in this new day, God is still on His throne.
Jesus instructed His disciples to cross the lake. There was work to do on the other side. But I’m reminded that we pilgrims have work to do as well. Are we still on the Eastern part of our Seas, or have we heard the voice of God telling us to “cross the lake”? Life, as I have come to experience, is full of different “seasons” in God’s plan for us. I know people who are still in a church when God has told them to move on to another. We must always ask ourselves the question, in prayer, where God wants us to be, and what he wants us to do. And listening ears will hear answers that might frighten or surprise us. But with God behind a new season, excitement in the Spirit is guaranteed.
Father God. You have many plans for Your people. Please quicken our ears to hear Your voice so that we are always walking in Your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 