March 27, 2023
Is Something Missing?
“After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.” John 6:1-2 (NASB)
A few years ago, my wife and I were on a trip to North Carolina to visit her family. About 4 hours into the trip, I received a call from our realtor who was selling our home. She said the neighbor noted there was water running down our driveway from the garage. She inspected the home and found a leak in the garage floor. I wasn’t there, but she sent a picture. I was able to see what was needed without having to go home. Later the leak was repaired before our return. Thanks to our neighbor seeing the water running down the driveway. Even though he didn’t witness the event, we were able to get the leak repaired.
“After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).” A whole year could have transpired from chapter 5 to this point in history. That’s a while! The Sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake in northern Palestine. It is 13 miles long by 8 miles wide, and up to 150 feet deep at points. The term “Tiberias” is a city which was the largest and most important city in Galilee. Tiberias was an alternative name for the Sea of Galilee, located on the western shore. It was also the regional capital of Herod Antipas. This is where the large crowd followed Jesus to see Him conduct miracles. “The other Evangelists (Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:32; Luke 9:10) state that this happened shortly after the death of John the Baptist,”[1]
A lot of events seem to be missing in possibly one year, since chapter 5, including the death of John the Baptist. I wonder how many events happened which were not written for us. Maybe there were some important events we missed? Selfishly we wish we could see all the events of Jesus’ life. Would it make a big of a difference for us? This is something we have to leave in God’s hands. He has shared all things which are pertinent to our knowledge of our Savior in His Word. In fact, many times in other gospels there are stories missing. To look at this in a commonsense, one thing stands out. It is possible the author went away during that event, and therefore could not write something which he was not witness. The disciples had responsibilities and duties which Jesus sent them away at times. Some were to gather people. Some were purchase things needed such as food, and materials. Some were to visit family members while they were in the area. The disciples were not omnipresent like God; able to be present in all places at all times. This is non-shared attribute of God. This is one thing you and I will never be able to attain in this lifetime or the next.
God knows all we need in His Word today. We have the central message of Jesus Christ. We have plenty of time in eternity with Him to ask questions, but I have a sneaking suspicion it won’t matter then either. Today, we have cell phones today to take pictures of things that happen (like the leak), but they still require witness to the event to give the full story. Unfortunately, John didn’t have a camera to help report the missing events between John chapter 5 and 6. He did, however, have the Holy Spirit to guide him to helping us see what we need to know today!
[1] John Calvin and William Pringle, Commentary on the Gospel according to John, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 226.