April 8, 2023
Getting Answers to Things We Do Not Understand
“When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?” John 6:25 (NASB)
Before we all became a Christian, we asked a lot of questions which only could be answered by our human brain. We thought we were pretty smart too. These were based upon our human rationale and thought process. In our defense, it takes a lifetime to learn and interact in the world today. We gain it by experiences or learning. But what can we do when the answers do not line up? Are people lying? Are they not clear enough? These questions plagued the crowds who never saw Jesus leave the shore with the disciples. Now He was on the other side of the sea. They did not see the miracle in the disciple’s boat either. They could see and believe in the healings but couldn’t recognize the One who had power over all. They could only see what was in front of them, not what was possible. God operates outside the possible…
“When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?” Astonished at His being there, and wondering how He could have accomplished it, whether by land or water, and when He came; for being quite unaware of His having walked upon the sea and landed with the disciples in the ship, they could not see how, unless He had travelled all night round the head of the lake alone, He could have reached Capernaum, and even then, how He could have arrived before themselves.[1] They still weren’t sure. When the crowd found Jesus on the other side, He was in a synagogue. John mentions this a little later in John 6:59, “These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.” This takes us back to Jesus childhood when He responded to His parents, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” Isn’t this where he was expected?
When they referred to Him as “Rabbi,” they didn’t realize they were using the same conversation Andrew and Peter had in John 1:38, “And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” The term “Rabbi” is an endearing term for those who heard Him and saw the miracles He performed. Rabbi as a title, is a respectful form of address meaning “my great one,” “my lord,” or “my master.” Used as a general title (“sir”) and a more specialized title (“teacher”) by New Testament times.[2] Jesus would use this style of questioning to determine the heart and thoughts of those who sought him in the coming passages.
It is interesting that the respect for Jesus was admirable in their lives, but they were missing the most important thing, He is God. Many miss this as well. They want a Jesus who they can understand, they can control to their needs, to their understanding of Him. I am so glad God, “…My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord… (Isaiah 55:8). God, you always have the best in mind for me as your child. I am glad all the things I think about are already covered in your plan today. You have my eternity all worked out in your grand plan. It’s good to be in good Hands today, wouldn’t you agree?
[1] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 138.
[2] H. Daniel Zacharias, “Rabbi as a Title,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).