City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, ¹⁷ got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. ¹⁸ A high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. ¹⁹ After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading.

John 6:16-21 (CSB)

Reflection

If you have been to Israel and traveled to the Sea of Galilee, you will notice that there are no houses on the shore. The Jewish people view the sea as a gate to Hades. Death is easily connected to the deep and cold waters because once you fall under, how do you come out? Death seems final and burial would be impossible to recover a body. For this reason, houses are built away from the shore and on higher ground.

Though, just like any groups of people who live close to water, it is a place where fishing is a requirement for survival and also a way to travel quickly between cities. If you cross a lake though, you would do so close to the shore. Travel through the middle was not something you did seldom, if at all.

Once you understand the metaphor of water and fishing, you can start seeing the connections quite easily. If water is a gate to Hades, then when Jesus says that the disciples would be “fishing for men” (Matthew 4:19), He literally meant that they would be saving people from the gates of Hades and eternal death.

So when Jesus came walking on the sea to the boat, you can see that death and Hades has no power over God. He could not fall under or be consumed by the darkness. Jesus became the bridge between death and life. Not only that, but he came down from Mount Arbel (the highest point in the region), to be with us on the churning waters on earth. He became human, so that He could rescue us and bring us “instantly” to the shore and salvation. It is instant because there is no works that we can do on our own to gain salvation, but only the saving grace of God through Christ Jesus.

This story has everything to do with Jesus’ humanity and how He saves us before we fall into the deep and dark waters of Hades.

Application

The meaning behind the words of this story shows us much more than what the text will tell us. The hardships of life make it difficult to truly look upon Jesus and His goodness while the waves crash and winds blow. Yet, His perfect life and humility provided a way for us and helped us see who God is, His great love and mercy. He is the only Truth, the only Way, and the only Life that can bring us to the Father. He will put us on solid ground and away from the gates of Hades.

¹⁷ Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Hebrews 2:17-18

As you go about this week and find the hardships of life settle in, take the time to focus on God and His goodness. Remember who you are in Christ and what He came to do for us on this earth.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to live with us on this earth. His humility and humanity helped show us Your goodness and love; to bring us salvation from an eternal separation from You. And through all our faults and failures, You still chose to come down to bring us out from the churning waters of Hades and put us on solid ground. May You forever be praised. In Jesus name, amen.