Slices
Prepare
Pause to reflect. What troubles you most about our polluted, broken world?
Bible passage
Jesus walks on the water
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognised Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried those who were ill on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went – into villages, towns or countryside – they placed those who were ill in the market-places. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Explore
Where air meets water, liquid water molecules are attracted to one another. This creates surface tension, like an elastic membrane. Long-legged insects like water striders, spreading their weight over a larger area, don’t break the water’s surface. They appear to glide. (It’s a bit more complicated!) Ever wondered how Jesus could walk on top of water? Did he get wet feet?
He sends his disciples out on the lake where they end up in a tempestuous storm, without him. In due course he strides towards them. Immediately the wind dies down. How come? At the beginning of time Jesus was involved in creating the world. He knows how water, surface tension and storms work.
More obviously, as God he can do what no human being can. His statement to the disciples, ‘It is I’ (v 50), the Greek saying ‘I am’, resonates with God’s self‑disclosure to Moses from the burning bush – ‘I am who I am’ (Exodus 3:14). The disciples have an advantage over Moses because it is Jesus who makes the Creator God visible, stepping onto water to be seen by them in their distress.
Respond
We live amid a climate crisis. All creatures living in or relying on rivers and seas (including water striders) are affected. Yet the Lord of creation is with us. Cry out to him to have mercy on this beautiful but polluted planet.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezra 3,4; Luke 3
Pray for Scripture Union
Mission Partner Festive has recruited a full-time Student Connect Worker, Hannah, who is pioneering in-person training events around the country for young people leading CUs in sixth-forms and colleges. Pray for open doors and a generation of 16- to 18-year-olds equipped and stirred for gospel mission.
