Coptic Orthodox Answers

In the name Father and Son, the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.

Welcome to Coptic Orthodox Answers Deep Dive. We saw last time how Christ gave thanks and distributed the five loaves and the two fish. The people ate, were fed and fulfilled, and therefore, wanted to make Christ king. So He sent away His disciples by boat and He went up to pray. Today, we will see how the events unfolded.

Verse 16:

'' 16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.'' (John 6:16-17)

So, the other Gospels mention that the disciples were going to Bethsaida, but John here says to Capernaum. Perhaps the plan was to go to Bethsaida then to Capernaum. However, when the storm hit, they changed their mind and went directly to Capernaum.

Remember, the disciples had already been through a long exhausting day and they were supposed to go up the mountain to rest with Christ, but then the multitudes came, so Christ wanted to serve them. So, He served them through the disciples. So, again, they're even more exhausted, because they distributed that food and it must have taken hours. Then they're asked to row in the boat on the water.

So, we sense here a sense of negativity, how they're already super tired. And now it's dark. It's evening time. And the waters are a symbol of chaos. And Christ had not come yet. So, there's a sense of... of loneliness, of despair. And St. John wants to portray that sense, because as the story unfolds, we find hope in Christ.

Verse 18:

'' 18 Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. [This wind was blowing against them.] 19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles...'' (John 6:18-19)

They say that between the third and fourth mile, this is the widest area of the lake, and therefore, it means this is where the wind is at its strongest.

'' 19 (...) they saw Jesus walking on the sea...'' (John 6:19)

So, Christ comes and saves us in our tribulations, hardest times. He comes right in time.

'' 19 (...) [so] Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid.'' (John 6:19)

Also, in Mark 6:48, we discover two important points. The first one is that when Christ came, He saw them rowing. And that's very important, because the disciples never gave up. They continued rowing and rowing. So, through our struggle, Christ comes and saves us, right? He gives grace through our struggle.

And the second point is that He came at the fourth watch of the night. Fourth watch of the night, it means between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. And that is also very important, because it shows how sometimes Christ is so patient with us in our tribulations, because He wants us to grow through these tribulations. So, then He comes at the end of the tribulation, exactly on time, and He saves us, as long as we struggle.

In verse 20, it says:

'' 20 But He said to them, ''It is I; do not be afraid.'' '' (John 6:20)

It is I here does not mean hi, guys, don't worry, I'm here. It is I has a much deeper meaning than this. In Greek, it's εγώ είμαι (egó eímai), which means that Christ is here to manifest His saving presence. He's saying: I am God, and therefore, I am walking on the water. Do not be afraid. That egó eímai is the same that is said in John 8:58, when it says:

'' 58 Jesus said to them, ''Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.'' '' (John 8:58)

He was saying that He was God. And... they, the Jews, understood this. That's why they wanted to stone Him, because to them, that is blasphemy. And in John 8, Christ was referring to Exodus 3 when He was speaking to Moses through the burning bush and He said to him:

'' 14 And God said to Moses, ''I AM WHO I AM.'' And He said, ''Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' '' '' (Exodus 3:14)

Verse 21 says:

'' 21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat...'' (John 6:21)

The disciples had to receive Christ in their boat. In the midst of tribulation, they were willing to receive Him back. Sometimes, unfortunately, people, when they are in tribulation or in the

midst of a tribulation, refuse to accept Christ or they get angry at God. But that is very foolish to do.

Not that every evil comes from God, definitely not. God is definitely not the source of evil. But sometimes, He allows for tribulations for our own sake, for us to go and, like I said, He comes in due time to save us. But we have to be willingly able to receive Him in our boat.

'' 21 (...) and [then] immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.'' [Immediately, it was at the land.] (John 6:21)

There's a nice prophecy on this miracle in Psalm 107. It says:

'' 29 [He, which is Christ, right?] He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. 30 Then they are glad [the disciples are glad] because they are quiet [the waves are quiet]; so He guides them to their desired haven.'' (Psalm 107:29-30)

So, immediately, He guides them to their desired heaven or location. That's why in the verse... earlier in verse 21, it says that immediately the boat got to the land. St Cyril gives a few nice commentaries on these passages. He says:

''Christ... appears to them... when fear had already cut off all hope of life. But He appears to them miraculously and they are astonished beholding Jesus going through the midst of the sea and upon the very waters... But Christ immediately relieves them from their misfortunes, saying, I am, be not afraid... Christ is now present. We shall see then by this again, that we ought to have a spirit courageous and manly in temptations [or tribulations], and endurance intense from hope in Christ [we ought to have... to have hope in Christ], confirmed unto good confidence in our being surely saved, even though many be the fears of temptation [or tribulation] that pour around us.'' (St. Cyril of Alexandria)

And he continues:

''For observe that Christ does not appear to those in the boat immediately on their setting sail, nor at the commencement of their dangers, but when they are many furlongs off from the land [or far from the land]. For not when the conditions which harasses us first begins, does the grace of Him who saves visit us, but when the fear is at its height, and the danger now shows itself mighty, and we are found, so to say, in the midst of the waves of afflictions: then unlooked for [or suddenly] does Christ appear, and puts away our fear, and will free us from all danger, by His ineffable Power changing the dread things into joy, as it were a clam.'' (St. Cyril of Alexandria)

St. Cyril gives also a nice symbolic contemplation on this miracle. He says Christ went up the mountain, representing Christ's Ascension. And when Christ ascends, we have the boat that

is on the water. And the boat represents, here, the Church, whether the Church at large or the Church at home. And we have people in it: the disciples, the congregation, your family members.

But the water is chaotic. The world is difficult. So, the wind is hitting that boat. The waves are hitting the boat. So many issues. So much tribulation. But Christ comes (His second coming). He comes and He walks. He steps over these waters in God befitting ways: in a miraculous fashion.

And when He does so, everything is fine. Everything becomes okay. Immediately, we find ourselves in our safe haven, which is Capernaum. And Capernaum means the city of comfort. How beautiful is that, right?... which is our eternal Zion! So, let us, throughout these tribulations that we face here on earth, always have this hope in Christ.

Moving on to verse 22:

'' 22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone—'' (John 6:22)

What does that mean? So, Christ made the miracle on the eastern side of the sea. And the people saw Him sending His disciples on the boat, right?, to the western side of the sea. And they saw Christ going up to pray up the mountain. So, there was also another boat that was there that was empty that was not used by anybody.

So, when they came the next day, they saw that same boat that was remaining still there. So, they thought that Christ was still on the east side of the sea, obviously not realizing that He walked on the water to go to the west side. And that's why, in these following verses, we find that they are surprised or shocked that He is on the western side. It says:

'' 23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— 24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, ''Rabbi, when did You come here?'' '' (John 6:23-25)

26:

'' 26 Jesus answered them and said, ''Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.'' (John 6:26)

He's telling them: I have been doing these signs, these miracles, to prove to you that I am the Son of God, and therefore, I am God. I am the Messiah that is to come in this world and here I am. And I want to give you a heavenly kingdom that is within you. And I want you to enjoy it, to live by it, to be fulfilled. I want to give you life, life eternal. Yet that's not why you seek Me.

You seek Me, because you ate of the loaves and were filled. You seek Me, because you want earthly things. You want earthly blessings. You want Me... (that's for us)... You want Me to bless your work. You want Me to bless your family. You want Me to bless your money. You want me to bless your exams. You want Me to bless all these things. You care about all earthly things and you want Me to bless all of those things, but you do not care about the heavenly bridegroom. You are not a true spouse.

As Christians, we ought to be truly the bride of Christ. Let us always remember that.

And remember: Know your faith, live your faith, and teach your faith. And glory be to God forever and ever. Amen.

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Remember: Know your faith, live your faith, and teach your faith.