John 6:19–21, When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
The Gospel writers often wrote about the same event from different perspectives. Using a harmony of the gospels, we see that John supplements the same account in Mark 6:47-49 and Mat 14:25-26, by writing the reason Jesus dismissed their crowds. He explains that after Jesus fed 5,000 hungry souls, people wanted to make Him a king. The problem with their motivation was that Jesus was already a king.
“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” (Psa 29:10–11)
Jesus just miraculously fed them, who wouldn’t want a king like that. Cesar never did that for them, neither did Herod. They wanted Jesus to replace their political king by having Jesus assume the throne, because of their mob enthusiasm mindset. However, Jesus made it plain that His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), as His Kingdom was a spiritual kingdom. Since He was already king, he would not be crassly forced by men to become what they wanted and oppose the will of God. Jesus knew their hearts and knew their will, ways, and thoughts were not on par with The Father’s (Isaiah 55:8-9). Jesus dismissed Himself from the crowds, and as King of kings communes with His Father alone in prayer.
Corum Deo: How often have you tried to manipulate the will of God for your own will, rather than to submit to God’s will?