Who would leave Jesus behind?
by Danielle Shroyer
Gospel Reading: John 6:1–21
For Sunday, July 29, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 17
I really wish, just for this week, this blog was called "The Strangest Question," because I’d know immediately what it would be: why did the disciples get into a boat and leave Jesus behind?
Seriously, where did they think they were going? What exactly did they plan to do without him? And what kind of friend leaves Jesus to a crowd that was trying to take him by force? Oh...I guess we do get the answer to that last one soon enough. Awkward.
Back to the Baskets
Alas, it’s still "The Hardest Question," so let’s return to our story and see what we’ve got. We actually have two stories from which to choose, the first being the feeding of the 5000 and the second is Jesus walking on the water—which he had to do, mind you, because they left him behind for some completely baffling and unknown reason. Good thing he had that trick up his sleeve.
The crowd that had gathered by the Sea of Galilee/Tiberias did so because they had seen the signs he was doing for the sick. Jesus saw the big crowd and started asking his disciples how they were going to feed them. After Andrew brought him a boy who was willing to share his lunch of a few loaves and fish, Jesus distributed them until all were satisfied, and then had enough to gather twelve baskets of leftovers. Jesus said, “Gather up the fragments, so that nothing may be lost,” which is ironic when you think about how in a few short hours he would be lost on the shore while his disciples set sail for Capernaum without him.
Then the crowd got eager after this sign, and they wanted to take him by force and make him king, so Jesus had to withdraw to the mountain until the dust settled.
So, basically in these verses a crowd rallies around Jesus seeking miracles and a political savior. It’s interesting that there’s no mention of a sermon or a shared parable. Just desired outcomes, even if some of them are actualized. That seems weird, doesn’t it? Do you really think Jesus didn’t talk that whole time? It’s almost as if the desired outcomes are the only thing the crowd can see or hear.
Maybe this story is about leaving Jesus behind after all.
Meanwhile, On the Boat...
As I said, it gets dark and the disciples get into the boat even though Jesus hasn’t returned yet. No disciple is dispatched to see if he’s alright or perhaps waiting in line for the bathroom. Nobody takes a quick look around the car to make sure everyone’s in before heading out of the gas station parking lot. Off they go to Capernaum. Maybe they had late dinner reservations.
The sea became rough and a strong wind starts blowing, and they don’t go more than a few miles before they see Jesus walking toward them. John says this terrified them, and I don’t blame them. But Jesus announces himself and tells them not to be afraid. And then verse 21 says, “Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.”
It’s interesting that the minute they wanted to take Jesus into the boat, they actually got where they had intended.
A Loave-ly Way to End Things
If we’re focusing on the ways Jesus gets left behind in these verses, I don’t think this story properly ends until verse 33, because the next morning the crowds notice that Jesus and the disciples are gone, and they follow them to Capernaum.
When they ask Jesus how he got there—a question for which they should receive brownie points, because they knew Jesus wasn’t in the boat when it left. To his credit he doesn’t say, “Well I had to walk on water because these idiots left me—just left me—on the shore last night.” He says, “Truly, you’re looking for me not because you saw signs but because your belly was filled. Don’t work for food that perishes but the food that endures.”
In other words, if you’re going to follow me, maybe don’t try to lead with your own motives.
In other words, please look at me when I’m talking to you.
In other words, next time you set out for a new shore, give a look around to make sure I’m actually on the boat with you.
The Hardest Question
Seriously- who leaves Jesus behind?
Danielle Shroyer is the Pastor of Journey Church in Dallas, TX. She is the author of The Boundary-Breaking God: An Unfolding Story of Hope and Promise (Jossey-Bass, 2009) and blogs at www.danielleshroyer.com. Danielle lives with her husband, two children, and two wild and crazy dogs in Dallas.
