John 6:1-21 "Jesus, Master of Creation"

The past week was that of confrontation with nature. Nature's way of purifying itself through snow and wind came powerfully against our house and community. We were without power for five days, leading us to eventually leave our home and stay with friends. Today is the first full day of power since losing it on Friday night, and it is with those recent experiences that I approach today's text.

Jesus demonstrates Himself as the master of all creation in today's text from John 6. Whether the problem is famine/scarcity or storms, Jesus commands creation. Or I should say that Jesus restores creation.

We know from the book of Genesis that all creation was impacted by the curse, and Romans tells us that creation yearns for redemption. Jesus does just that- redeems and restores creation to original function. In the feeding the five thousand, Jesus restore's the original purpose of creation- to be fruitful and multiply. Creation was meant to be sustainable, and Jesus makes it so while declaring that this is to the glory of God.

Stormy seas, in the ancient world, were symbols of chaos and destructive (even demonic) power. Fishermen in the Sea of Galilee would regularly be caught up in storms that would destroy their boats. When Jesus crosses the sea, He demonstrates humanity's original authority over creation. We were never meant to be in fear of the power of creation, as the power of creation is meant to be life-giving. While storms are often necessary to maintain the ecosystem of an area, creation's intent was never to be of harm. I have a hard time believing that the new earth will be threatened by tornados. Indeed, Jesus' words echo in our minds- do not be afraid.

As far as I know, the snowstorm of 2012 didn't completely destroy any homes or end any lives. South of us, where the snowstorms were community-crushing tornados, was a different story. And so I look out the window and see creation churning and crying out for restoration. And I look to these passages and know that I can entrust that restoration to Jesus Christ. And that, more than any amount of preparation for the storm, gives me peace.