perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a King, He departed

again into a mountain Himself alone."

Here we reach a point of great dispensational importance. Nothing is clearer than the

testimony of Scripture that Christ came to be King of Israel, yet when the multitude

contemplated making Him King, the Lord withdrew Himself. The reason is to be found

in their motive which is exposed in the sequel. The fourth and fifth signs are so linked

together that we cannot proceed to that sequel without dealing with the parallel sign. The

night drew on and the disciples entered a boat and "went over the sea toward Capernaum.

It was now dark and Jesus had not come to them." Presently the sea began to rise by

reason of a great wind that blew. The other gospels testify to the dangerous character of

these storms that sweep the inland seas. About half way across the lake they saw the

Lord walking on the sea and drawing nigh unto the ship. This was the first time the Lord

had used any miraculous power in His own case. Here we have an anticipation of the

Lord as the risen One. In John 20: 19 after resurrection, closed doors were no barrier to

the spiritual body of the risen Christ. Here as He walked upon the sea this power is

The disciples were afraid, but the Lord reassures them by crying out, "It is I; be not

afraid". The actual words of Christ were far more impressive than these. In John 8: 58

He said, "Before Abraham was, I AM". Here in John 6: 20 He uses identical language

"I AM, be not afraid". Here is the true significance of the sign. He that must save Israel,

Who alone can satisfy their need, is the "I AM" Who in the days of Egypt originated the

first Passover, and is here about to fulfil that wondrous type. When Israel look upon Him

whom they pierced and testify of the redeeming power of His blood, they will also say,

"this is our GOD, we have waited for Him". The rising sea and the great wind will be

found in Rev. 13: and Dan. 7: The four winds of heaven when they strive upon the

great sea will bring about the day of Jacob's trouble, yet as the prophet says, "He shall be

saved out of it", saved, as signified here, by the personal coming in the midst of their

danger of the Lord Jesus Christ, the I AM of the O.T.

The people who had been fed follow after the Lord, and are rebuked for merely

seeking the "loaves and fishes". The Lord points them to the meat that endureth unto

aionian life. Then follows the discourse on the Manna, and the blessed fact that Christ

Himself is "that bread of life". He goes deeper: "the bread that I will give is My flesh

which I will give for the life of the world". Yet further He adds, "Except ye.......drink

His blood, ye have no life in you". Many of the disciples when they heard this said,

"This is a hard saying, who can hear it?" When He followed this by emphasizing the

elective character of God's purpose (verse 65) "many of His disciples went back and

walked no more with Him". Then comes the climax. To the twelve the Lord says, "Will

ye also go away?" and Simon Peter bears his abundant testimony that he at least has

learned the lesson of the signs:--