The Playful Jesus

In the story of Jesus walking on the water in the fourth watch of the night, i.e. 3-6 AM, there is a little comment given by Mark (6:48) that might go unnoticed. Let's get the context. A couple of days earlier Jesus planned a retreat with his apostles for the hills above Bethsaida. But, when he arrived the crowds were waiting and he healed, taught, and fed them. After the meal he sent the crowds away, told the apostles to take the boat over to Capernaum, a 3-4 mile distance, and he went into the hills to have a private mini-retreat. When the apostles left about dark, someone forgot to check with the weatherman. A storm blew in, most likely from the northwest over the hills and onto the lake. It seems this storm pushed them out into the lake making it difficult to make the the short journey. John says they rowed 3-4 miles (literally 25-30 stadia). We know they end up in Gennesaret which is just south of Capernaum near where I stayed while in the Holy Land.

Jesus finishes his prayer time very early in the morning. We are not told if he was in the same storm as he prayed. But, instead of taking the land route of three to four miles, he set out on the lake, walking on the water.Why? You might say so he could increase his disciples' faith and allow Peter to try to walk on water. That's not what the text says. Mark says "...He intended to pass by them." (NASB) Could this have been a playful move on Jesus' part. Here they are in a storm for several hours straining hard against the wind and waves. They are not making very good time. They are wet, tired, and probably pretty irritable. Imagine they look up and see Jesus "boogying" on passed them, perhaps waving with a smile on his face, and stands waiting for them on the other shore asking, "what took you so long?"  I know it doesn't say all this, but it is a possibility.

The story doesn't turn out like that, but the rest of the story does have some playfulness in it. They think he is a ghost. He scares them nearly to death. And, then there is the scene with Peter walking on the water. This must have brought great delight to the weary apostles. Can you imagine the ribbing Peter got for sinking? All of this must have been good for some hearty laughs around a campfire at night after Jesus had died. "Remember the time Jesus came "boogying" by us that night and scared us silly." "Hey, Peter how about some swimmies for Christmas?"

Rod