John 6:22

A day goes by before the people on the far side of the sea realize the disciples’ boat is gone.  They also figure out Jesus did not board the boat before the disciples departed on their own.  John 6:22 EFP

This appears to be a parenthetical statement.  It says a lot about the perception of the people on the far side of the sea.  They are a perceptive bunch.  Nothing escapes them.  In short they surmise the disciples are gone, their boat is gone, and Jesus did not leave with them the day before.  These are the people who wanted to declare Jesus king the day before.  They see Jesus rebuff their advances and suddenly disappear.  They must have also seen the disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ decision and their subsequent departure.  Now what?

It doesn’t matter if we are at home or “on the other side of the sea,” people are looking and taking note of what we do and how we act.  We may not think that anyone is watching; but when you least expect it—expect it.  My words, my actions, and my reactions to situations that may not be to my liking are more powerful than any sermon I might preach.  It might be more prestigious to wax eloquent from behind a pulpit, a desk, or from behind the bench; but it is what I do and say in the heat of the moment outside the spotlight that will carry the most weight.  The ripples can spread quickly and create a tsunami of ill-will.  God help me.