Good Book Club: John 6:1-21
6 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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A reflection by Jody Hronek, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Valentine, NE
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Valentine, Nebraska is located in the majestic Niobrara River valley. We’re blessed with lush, green country due to this year’s ample moisture. Whether fishing, boating, kayaking, farming, ranching or travelling our highways and byways, locals and tourists alike can rejoice in God’s generous provision.
This past winter, spring and summer, our Cornhusker state, Valentine included, received an over-abundance of moisture. Rivers, lakes, valleys, sandhills and highways have been affected by snow, ice jams, rain and hail. These conditions wreaked havoc with damaged and destroyed bridges, flooded highways, dangerous waterways, and swamped hay meadows. Environmentalists, construction contractors, farmers, ranchers, numerous government entities have debated, and are fielding a deluge of questions and concerns about how to stabilize problematic issues associated with stormy circumstances.
John 6: 16-21 tells us of Christ’s disciples sailing home to Capernaum in the evening. A terrifying storm arose, and they were in distress, the darkness causing the storm to seem more dangerous and uncomfortable. Calling for Jesus, they see an apparition walking on the water toward them. Upon recognizing Jesus, they welcome Him, and receive Him. He joins them, the seas are calmed and they speedily arrive safely at their destination. We are comforted by the knowledge that when we’ve welcomed and received Jesus, our difficulties, dangers and threats, whether in lush meadows, raging rivers, or flooded highways, are diminished as we trust and are comforted by our Savior.