John 6:15 - Meaning and Application

Here, first, we see Christ withdrawing from the crowd. He knew that those who believed him to be the prophet who was to come into the world would seize him and try to make him king (John 6:15). Their zeal was sincere in one way, because they wanted to honor Christ and correct the contempt the Jewish leaders showed toward him. Since the Messiah was expected to be a king, they wanted to lift him up with royal honor.

But their zeal was out of order. They misunderstood the nature of Christ’s kingdom, as if it were an earthly rule with outward splendor, a crown, and an army. They were also moved by selfish desire, since he had fed them so generously without their labor. In addition, they hoped to use him for a political purpose and throw off Roman rule. Religion is often abused for worldly gain, and Christ is used only to serve a private aim.

This was also a noisy and rebellious move that could have stirred up war and brought Roman punishment on the land. Most of all, it went against Christ’s own will, since they wanted to force him into office whether he accepted it or not. Those who press honors on Christ that he has not asked for dishonor him instead. Even when people claim Christ as the head of their party, they may still be trying to make him king in their own way, against his mind.

Christ’s response shows his humility and self-denial. When they wanted to make him king, he withdrew and stopped their plan. In this, he left a clear warning against ambition and the hunger for worldly honor. He also showed that he was no friend of rebellion or public disorder, and that his followers should not support anything that smells of sedition.

He then went back into the mountain, the same mountain where he had preached (John 6:3). He had come down from it to feed the people, and now he returned to it alone for quiet. Though Christ was very useful in public work, he still chose times to be alone. This teaches us to step away now and then for freer fellowship with God and with our own souls. Public duties should not crowd out private prayer.

Next, we see the disciples in distress at sea. Those who go down to the sea in ships see the works of the Lord, for he raises the stormy wind (Psalm 107:23-24). This fits the disciples well. When evening came and their day’s work was done, they got into a boat and started across to Capernaum (John 6:16-17). They did this by their Master’s direction, and it seems likely he meant to keep them away from the temptation of joining those who wanted to make him king.

Then the storm came, just as God had said it would. These were Christ’s disciples, they were on the path of obedience, and Christ was praying for them on the mountain. Yet they were still in trouble. Our present sufferings can fit perfectly with belonging to Christ and with his intercession for us. They had just enjoyed a feast at Christ’s table, but after a time of comfort, a storm may follow.

It was dark, which made the storm more frightening and less bearable. God’s people are sometimes in trouble and cannot see their way out. They may not understand why the trouble came, what it is meant to do, or how it will end. Jesus had not yet come to them either. In an earlier storm, he was with them in the boat (Matthew 8:23 and following), but here he was absent. The absence of Christ is the greatest part of a believer’s trouble.

The sea rose because of a strong wind. It had been calm when they set out, for they were not rash enough to sail into a storm. But the trouble rose after they were already at sea. In peaceful times, we should get ready for hardship, because it may rise when we least expect it. Still, it should comfort God’s people to remember that Christ’s own disciples went through such storms too. Even in darkness and trouble, they were no worse off than disciples of Christ can be.

The Holy Spirit, who inspired this account, could have given the exact number of furlongs. But since that detail was only a matter of circumstance, the writer left it to his own judgment. When they had gone a good way out on the sea, they saw Jesus walking on the water.

Here we see, first, Christ’s power over the laws and habits of nature. Heavy bodies naturally sink in water, but Christ walked on the water as if it were dry land. This showed even more power than Moses, who divided the water and led Israel through it.

Second, we see Christ’s care for his disciples in their distress. He came near the boat, for he had walked on the water to help his people, as one who rides on the heavens for their aid (Deuteronomy 33:26). He does not leave them without help when they seem tossed by storms and left without comfort. When they are sent away to lonely places, as John was, or shut up in tight places, as Paul and Silas were, he still finds a way to come near.

Third, we see the relief Christ gives his disciples in their fears. They were afraid, and more afraid of what they thought was a ghost than of the wind and waves. It is often more frightening to fight the evil powers of this world than to face a stormy sea. When they thought a demon was near them, and perhaps had even stirred up the storm, they were more terrified than when they had only seen natural danger.

Our real troubles are often made worse by troubles we only imagine. These come from our own minds. Also, the very thing that should comfort and rescue us is often misunderstood, and so it becomes another cause of fear. We are often not only more frightened than harmed, but most frightened right when help is close at hand.

Yet while they were in this fear, how tenderly did Christ quiet them with those comforting words, “It is I; do not be afraid” (John 6:20). Nothing is more powerful to convict sinners than the words, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Nothing is more powerful to comfort believers than, “I am Jesus whom you love. I love you and seek your good. Do not be afraid of me, and do not be afraid of the storm.” When trouble comes near, Christ is near too.

Here, lastly, we see their quick arrival at the place they were headed for (John 6:17). They welcomed Christ into the boat and received him gladly. When Christ seems absent for a time, his return makes him all the dearer to his disciples, who value his presence above everything else, as in Song of Songs 3:4.

Christ then brought them safely to shore. At once the boat was at the land where they were going. The ship of the church, in which Christ’s disciples have placed themselves and all they have, may be badly battered and distressed, yet it will reach harbor safely in the end. It may be tossed at sea, but it will not be lost. It may be struck down, but it will not be destroyed, like the bush that burned but was not consumed.

The power and presence of the church’s King will speed her rescue and remove obstacles that defeated the skill and effort of all other helpers. The disciples had rowed hard, but they could not reach their goal until Christ was in the boat, and then the work was done at once. If we have received Jesus Christ the Lord, and have received him gladly, then even if the night is dark and the wind is strong, we may comfort ourselves with this hope, we will soon reach shore, and we are closer than we think. Many a doubting soul is brought to heaven by a pleasant surprise, before it knows what is happening.