Why Jesus did not go along with the Disciples?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : Second Week:  Saturday*

*Gospel :  John 6:16-21*

*First Reading : Acts 6:1-7*

*Responsorial Psalm : 33:1-19*

*Why Jesus did not go along with the Disciples?*

*1) Why didn’t Jesus go with them?*

It wasn’t accidental—it was intentional.

First, He chose solitude. After a powerful miracle and rising popularity, He steps away to pray and realign with His mission. He avoids being swept into political expectations.

Second, He allowed the disciples to go ahead. In the parallel accounts (like in Gospel of Matthew 14:22), it says He actually sent them ahead. So this wasn’t neglect—it was direction.

*2) Why did He remain back?*

He remained behind for two key reasons:

*A) Prayer and communion with God*  – He often withdrew at crucial moments.

*B) Preparation for a deeper lesson* – What follows (walking on water) wasn’t random; it was a revelation of who He is.

Sometimes Jesus delays His presence not because He’s absent—but because He’s about to reveal something greater.

*3) Why did the disciples go without Him?*

They weren’t being careless or excluding Him.

They likely went because He instructed them to go.

It was already evening, and crossing the lake was part of their routine.

They didn’t yet understand that life without His visible presence would be a test of faith.

In a way, they were obeying—even though it felt incomplete.

*4) What was Jesus’ intention?*

His intention becomes clear in the storm: The disciples struggle against strong winds. In the darkest part of the night, Jesus comes walking on the water.

This moment reveals:

His authority over nature

His presence in fear and uncertainty

His identity as “I AM” (v.20 echoes divine language)

So the delay wasn’t absence—it was a setup for revelation.

*5) How should we understand this?*

This passage shows a pattern:

Obedience doesn’t always mean ease.

Following direction doesn’t remove difficulty.

Jesus may seem absent, but He is fully aware of the struggle.

The disciples were exactly where they were supposed to be—yet still in trouble. 

That’s an important spiritual reality.

*6) Lessons for Our Life*

*A) God may send you into difficult situations* : The storm wasn’t outside God’s will—it was part of it.

*B) Delay is not denial* : Jesus didn’t come immediately, but He came at the right time.

*C) Faith grows in perceived absence* : When you don’t “feel” God, your trust is stretched and deepened.

*D) Jesus comes in unexpected ways* : Walking on water wasn’t what they expected. Sometimes help doesn’t look like what we imagined.

*E) Fear can blind recognition* : They were terrified at first. Sometimes we mistake God’s presence for something frightening or unfamiliar.

*F) His presence brings immediate peace* : The moment He enters the boat, everything changes.

*7) An Eye Opener insight* 

There’s a quiet but powerful truth here: The disciples were doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time—and still struggling.

That challenges the idea that “if I’m following God, everything will go smoothly.” Instead, it suggests: Sometimes the struggle is not a sign of distance from God, but a place where you will meet Him more clearly.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*