“When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” (NRSV John 6:15)
In John’s gospel, this passage is a bridge between the stories of Jesus feeding the 5 thousand and Jesus walking on water. It’s a throw-away-passage, not important to the ongoing saga of Jesus’ ministry—a literary device to offer a bridge and a break between powerful stories of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Or is it? Let me suggest it contains some insights that could have meaning for us today.
Political life for Jews living in the Holy Land during Jesus’ walk on earth was a mess! Zealots wanted aggressive political action, even terrorist acts to return Israel to its former glory. Roman rule often conflicted with religious law that the Jews were devoted to following. Itinerate teachers were everywhere trying to address the issues of the day. Many Jews of that time were looking for the promised Messiah to rescue them from life’s political ambiguities. It’s never fun living with the regret of having lost your national identity. My great grandmother’s family indicated on the 1890 US Census that they were all born in Prussia, but by 1910, she declared her country of birth as Germany. Her birthplace had not changed, but the political identity of the country had. That was probably a big factor in their immigration. As Thomas Paine suggested in Common Sense: “Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil;”
This bridge verse reminds us that Jesus’ mission was not to become King of a new Nation of Israel. How ironic that his cross bore the sign “King of the Jews” in multiple languages! But that sign was created by a Roman political ruler. Everyone in Jesus time understood the concept of Kingship, but we have little practice or understanding of that today. Constitutional Monarchy doesn’t even come close. The king had chief authority over a country to make the laws, set the rules, tax you, go to war, require allegience and generally tell you how to run your business. What the people wanted then and what we long for now is security and a stable lifestyle and perhaps also the freedom to be ourselves and enjoy life with families and friends (our tribe…)
This Biblical verse shows us slippery Jesus. Yes, he had a message to share and no, it did not include becoming a political ruler. This wasn’t the only time he slipped away from the crowds and went off by Himself. Because Jesus feed the 5 thousand, the people saw Him as someone whose policy position was to keep them well fed. This sure looked like the security they wanted. One could say they were empowered by their bellies to give Him political power to rule. But can you ever force someone to rule? And was that God’s plan? There would be another time when He was caught and executed.
So, he had to slip away to let them calm down. Jesus was not strictly all by himself. He had access to God, the ultimate power of the universe– who He called “Daddy” (Abba). Jesus knew His mission and His source of power. His mission was to be the ultimate servant who sacrificed His life for the world. He was God’s Messiah who promises new life to all who believe in the one who sent Him. His source of power was servanthood. That was shocking! He slipped away because His time had not yet come.
It is significant that Jesus withdrew to a mountain. Mountains were the place where God met humanity. A mountain is where Moses received the 10 commandments. Mountains were holy places where God might meet people to communicate important guidance and directions. Mountains were places where altars were built to worship God. Mountains were places of power. God could shake a mountain and get people’s attention. But it was always God acting first. In God’s own timing.
That is in great contrast to our need to empower someone to rule over us. We think we know what we want, yet God surely knows best. Jesus rules now as our mediator with God. That is beyond the political framework of government. We know from the prophets that God desires justice and mercy (and humililty!). We still struggle with inequality and all the “isms” that keep us from security with ourselves and with God. Call it Sin. You cannot force the power of God. God will not be mocked. You can only attempt to be within the sphere of activities that God is up to in this world. Jesus knew that and so he slipped away until the time was right for God’s purpose. God’s timing is often not our timing.
Jesus would return from the mountain and in the next story walk on water. He would demonstrate ultimate power over nature. For John that proved Jesus was Divine and deserves our attention and allegiance as the ultimate power of the universe and true purpose for being. In love, Jesus tells the disciples to not be afraid. Fear is never the answer and is a poor motivator of permanent solutions. Everyone in the boat needs to keep their eyes on Jesus. His love is the answer. Sometimes it may be tough love, but love is always the strongest motivation for lasting solutions to life’s challenges. Thank God that Jesus came back from the mountain and finished God’s purpose for His ministry. The story continues. We are in a different time and poltical place. We have a measure of political freedom and also responsibility. Let’s engage in ways God is working in the world for justice and mercy and not for power. Sometimes that might be in government, as a necessary evil for now, but I am guessing that’s not the only way with God. God will tell us in God’s due time.
For Your Consideration:
1. What has your ultimate allegiance in your life? Your schedule? Your stomach? Your smartphone? Your bank account? Your family? A particular political party?
2. Is someone or something trying to force you to do something you do not want to do? Is that something to pray about? Is it something to get professional help with?
3. Do you schedule times “to go to the mountain”? Times to be alone to pray and listen to God?
4. What are you afraid of? Is the fear reasonable? Can you trust God to overcome that fear?
5. Have you registered to vote? Will you be active in the primary elections as a necessary evil to work for justice and mercy in your community?