This illustration of Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee was prepared by Gustave Doré. My research on this one is a little sketchy, but I think it is from an 1866 edition of the Latin Vulgate, in which 241 of his wood engravings were included. The biblical account describes the winds as being contrary. Notice that Jesus is being buffeted from the front and the distant boat carrying his disciples is being blown away from Jesus. The wind seems to be blowing two directions at once. Notice also that, though he is on the water and there are large waves, Jesus himself appears to be dry and he is clearly walking on top of the water, whether on top of a wave or at the bottom of a wave. His raised hand calls to mind Moses' upraised staff at the crossing of the Red Sea, when Israel crossed on dry land. One of the people in the boat also has an upraised hand. Presumably this is Peter, who normally is the spokesperson of the disciples. Notice that Jesus' image is very clear and focused, even down to his reflection in the waves, while, if we follow the diagonal line to the boat, Jesus' followers are not in focus. Our attention, as theirs, is drawn to Jesus, who is the master of the waves.
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 6. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. At the start of chapter six Jesus teaches a large crowd of people, then provides them with food. There is more left over than he had when he started feeding them. What does this passage tell us about Jesus and his relation to humans and the natural world?
2. Why might Jesus not want to be taken and made a king by the crowds (v. 15)?
3. What does John intend us to understand about Jesus, his disciples, and the world based on verses 16-21, when he crosses the lake?
4. Verses 22-59 are a long and involved interaction. It is only at the end that we learn Jesus has ended up in a synagogue speaking these things with the people. How do you summarize what Jesus is talking about? Why is the setting important?
5. At the end of the chapter, many people are leaving Jesus, but his disciples realize he is the one who "has the words of life." Is that your realization? Why or why not?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 6. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. At the start of chapter six Jesus teaches a large crowd of people, then provides them with food. There is more left over than he had when he started feeding them. What does this passage tell us about Jesus and his relation to humans and the natural world?
2. Why might Jesus not want to be taken and made a king by the crowds (v. 15)?
3. What does John intend us to understand about Jesus, his disciples, and the world based on verses 16-21, when he crosses the lake?
4. Verses 22-59 are a long and involved interaction. It is only at the end that we learn Jesus has ended up in a synagogue speaking these things with the people. How do you summarize what Jesus is talking about? Why is the setting important?
5. At the end of the chapter, many people are leaving Jesus, but his disciples realize he is the one who "has the words of life." Is that your realization? Why or why not?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
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