The Book Of John | The 7 "Signs" And The 7 "I AM's" Of JesusPrimjer

“Jesus’ Walks on Water”

In Second Kings 6, there is an interesting little story recorded about how Elisha makes an axe head float. Why did it float, you might ask? First, we must remember that in the ministry of our Lord, and in the disciples that followed him, the purpose of the ministry and miracles of both Elijah and Elisha was to authenticate the messengers that were carrying God’s message.

But why this borrowed axe head? Why did Elijah throw in a stick to make it float? Well, that’s a deep question. Much like Moses throwing a log in the water at Marah (meaning bitter) at Israel’s leaving of Egypt, Elisha throws the stick here. Moses’ throwing of wood healed the waters, and symbolized the promise of God to heal his people. In essence God would reverse the mistakes of his people through a promise to heal them.

To lose something carelessly however, like an axe head, was a dire offense because stewardship, and taking care of someone’s property carefully, was a deeply held conviction in the minds of those in Jewish culture. Elijah miraculously makes payment for such an offense with the stick.  

So rather than asking why the axe head, we should ask, “Why the stick?” We should also ask “Why did Jesus float, as he walked upon water.” These occurrences are all linked together to demonstrate the gospel. In the New Testament, wood, that corresponds to the cross, removes sin. Water corresponds to eternal life (removing Adam’s original sin—that is to say the “axe head” is Adam’s original sin).  Eternal life in Christ, like the stick thrown by Elisha reverses and removes even the smallest of offenses, not to mention the gravest consequence—spiritual death.