John 6:15-27: “Jesus Walks On
The Water And Then Calms The Seas And Rescues His Disciples In Their Boat”
By
1.
INTRO:
1.1.
In our last study we looked at verses 1-14 of chapter 6.
1.1.1. Jesus left Judea and went back to
1.1.2. When Jesus realized that the people were in need of
food He asked the disciples how they could meet that need, testing their faith
in the things they had learned thus far from Him.
1.1.3. Jesus then took the meager resources given to Him by
Andrew (5 loaves and 2 fish provided by a young lad), blessed them, multiplied
those resources, and using His disciples miraculously fed the 5,000 all that
they would like to eat.
1.1.4. We saw that this miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is
the only miracle that is recorded by all four of the gospel writers in their
accounts of Jesus’ life. The question as
to why the miracle must be so important we saw included that it had to do with :
1.1.4.1.What it reveals of Jesus’ power and glory, and His
ability to provide for our every need.
1.1.4.2.This miracle and the first miracle in which Jesus
turned water into wine are the only miracles where Jesus did not just make
correct something that had already existed before, but rather created something
that hadn’t previously existed.
1.1.4.3.This miracle revealed Jesus power over nature.
1.1.4.4.This was the most public of Jesus’ miracles in which
He performed. On this day thousands saw
and personally experienced this incredible miracle which He performed.
1.2.
In our
study today, we are going to look at verses 15-27 of chapter 6.
1.2.1. Jesus will send His disciples across the Sea of
Galilee in a boat and then retire by Himself to the top of a hill overlooking
the
1.2.2. Jesus will come walking to them upon the sea. They will become afraid because they think
that He might be a ghost. Then, when He
tells them that it is He and not to be afraid they allow Him into the boat.
1.2.3. When Jesus enters their boat it suddenly has found
itself upon the shore where it was going.
2.
VS
6:15 - “Jesus therefore perceiving that they were intending to come and take
Him by force, to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself
alone.” - After
feeding the 5,000 the people were intending to come and to make Jesus king,
however when He realized their intention He withdrew again to the mountain by
Himself alone
2.1.
It is an interesting to note that the multitude was
made full, and then began to make plans to come and take Jesus and make Him
king. Having seen the miraculous work
that Jesus had done in feeding 5,000 men (plus untold numbers of women and
children), plus having seen or heard of Jesus’ other miracles, this multitude
was sure that they had found a man whom they wanted to take and make their
king.
2.1.1.
God’s people need to beware when they have been made
full, for then they can make bad decisions just as the multitude did in this
case.
2.2.
Jesus could not be made king under such
circumstances. Jesus knew the people’s
hearts and that they wanted a Messiah who would raise up an army to overthrow
2.3.
Matthew records that Jesus “forcefully” made
the disciples get into a boat and go to the other side of the lake, and then He
dismissed the crowd, as He perceived that having seen the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, they too wanted to
make Him king. Perhaps the disciples
were even the ring-leaders or the cheer leaders inciting this multitude to want
to come and take Jesus by force and make Him their king.
2.4.
In any case, the disciples were probably getting
caught up in the emotions of the crowd who was wanting to make Him king. It would be a natural reaction for His
disciples to desire that their Lord would be made king.
2.5.
The disciples on this day may have simply not wanted
to leave Jesus behind, after all He was their Lord and they were His followers.
2.6.
After sending out the disciples in a boat to cross
over to
2.7.
Mark records that Jesus went to the mountain to
pray. We would expect that when Jesus
went to be alone, He went for the purpose of praying to the Father. John who was writing this gospel largely in order
to show Jesus’ divinity (not His humanity) doesn’t include Jesus going and
spending times of prayer with the Lord.
That is, until Jesus’ high priestly prayer for the disciples in John 17. However, in that prayer Jesus is acting much
as He does now in His exalted state as the intercessor for His people.
2.8.
In Mark 6:50-52, Mark records Jesus calming the wind
on the lake where the disciples were now in peril in their attempt to cross
over it, and he notes that the disciples had not learned anything from the
miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 and that their hearts were hardened, it
says, “Take courage! It is
2.8.1.
Since the disciples hadn’t yet learned to look to
heaven in every need, nor that nothing shall be impossible for the Lord, Jesus
sent them across the lake knowing that a big storm would come and that they would
be very fearful. Thus, Jesus would again
test His disciples to see if they had learned anything from His feeding of the
5,000. As we saw also in our last study,
until we learn any lesson that the Lord wants to teach us, God will again
provide us another circumstance to teach us the very same lesson.
2.9.
Jesus used this testing and subsequent miracle of
rescuing the disciples to further build their faith. In calming the wind and sea, He was teaching
them that He was in control even of all of nature, and that they could look to
Him to do the miraculous even in the realm of nature if need be.
2.10.
Jesus had told the disciples to go across the lake to
the other side, and like the disciples we Christians need to realize that when
Jesus tells us to cross the lake that we are going to cross the lake. We do not need to doubt what the Lord has
clearly revealed to us.
2.11.
Where Jesus guides us, He will also provide for
us! He will provide all that we need in
order to get to where He command us to go, however there may also be many
trials and temptations in the process.
In these times of following where the Lord tells us to go, we will also
have to learn the lesson of depending upon the Lord to get us there.
2.12.
Like Jesus’ disciples, we Christians also need to
learn not to give into our fears, but rather trust in the Lord.
3.
VS
6:16-19 - “Now when evening came, His disciples
went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to
3.1.
Note here
that it was when the evening came on this day that Jesus’ disciples went down
to the sea and got into the boat and began to row across the Sea of Galilee.
3.2.
When Jesus
finally comes to rescue His disciples note that the disciples are fearful
because as another gospel tells us, they thought that they were seeing a
ghost. Evidently, many people in Jesus’
day were superstitious of apparitions.
3.3.
The
graphic below of the
3.4.
This body of water the disciples cross in their boat
is called in the New Testament The “Sea of Galilee,” “Sea of Geneserett,”
or “Sea of Tiberias,” and in the Old Testament it is called the “Sea
of Chinnereth” (Num. 34:11; Josh. 12:3; 13:27), from its harp-like
shape. Today the lake is called “
3.5.
In the
last couple of years scientists have theorized a scientific and natural
explanation of how Jesus was able on this day to walk on the water because in
their fleshly wisdom they conclude that the only Jesus who could ever walk on
water is a “Jesus Lizard.”
3.6.
These
scientists have theorized that though ice never forms on this lake today that
at this time 2,000 years ago that once every 30-60 years or so a small ice bridge
could have formed on the lake allowing Jesus to merely appear to walk on the
top of the water across the lake.
However, though it may be possible that ice could have formed on this
lake this is not what happened on this day and this would also negate the
lesson the scriptures tell us that the disciples were being taught by this
miracle. Secular scientists have tried
to disprove every one of Jesus’ miracles, but if they want to try to do that
they have a lot of work to do because of the many recorded miracles of Jesus
found in the New Testament, including :
|
MIRACLES OF JESUS: |
|
|
1. |
The conception of Virgin Mary and the incarnation of Jesus: Mt 1:18-25; Lk.1:26-80 |
|
2. |
The Star over |
|
3. |
Birth of Jesus: Lk.2. |
|
4. |
Flight into |
|
5. |
Water into wine, wedding feast at |
|
6. |
Heals the nobleman's son: John 4:46-54. |
|
7. |
Jesus heals them all: Lk.6,4,
Mk.6, Matt.4,9,15,19. |
|
8. |
The catch of fish: Lk.5:1-11 |
|
9. |
The second catch of fish:
Jn.21:6. |
|
10. |
Delivers the demoniac:
Mr.1:21-27; Lk.4:33-36. |
|
11. |
Heals the woman with the satanic spine bent for 18 years: Lk.13:10-17. |
|
12. |
The 10 plus Miracles after the Sermon of the Mount: Mat. 8 and 9. |
|
13. |
Heals Peter's mother-in-law: Mt.8:14-17;
Mr.1:29-31; Lk.4:38, 39. |
|
14. |
Cleanses the leper: Mt.8:1-4;
Mr.1:40-45; Lk.5:12-16. |
|
15. |
Jesus Heals the paralyzed man:
Mt 9:1-8; Mr 2:1-12; Lu 5:17-26. |
|
16. |
Heal of the invalid for 38 years at the pool of |
|
17. |
Restoring the withered hand on a Sabbath: Mt.12:9-13; Mr.3:1-5; Lk. 6:6-11. |
|
18. |
Restores the centurion's servant: Mt.8:5-13; Lk.7:1-10. |
|
19. |
Raises the widow's son to life at the |
|
20. |
Casting out of the Mute and Blind Spirit: Mt.12:22-37; Mr.3:11; Lk.11:14. |
|
21. |
Stills the storm: Mt. 8:23-27;
14:32; Mr.4:35-41; Lk. 8:22-25; Jn.
6:15-27. |
|
22. |
Throws demons out of two men of |
|
23. |
Raises the daughter of Jairus from the dead: Mt.9:18, 19, 23-26; Lk. 8:41, Mr.5:22-24,
35-43; 49-56. |
|
24. |
Cures the woman with the issue of blood: Mt.9:20-22; Mr.5:25-34; Lk.8:43-48. |
|
25. |
Restores two blind men to sight:
Mt.9:27-31. |
|
26. |
Heals a demoniac: Mt.9:32, 33. |
|
27. |
Walks upon |
|
28. |
Heals the daughter of the non-Jewish, Syro-Phoenician woman: Mt.15:21-28; Mr.7:24-30. |
|
29. |
Feeding the 5,000: Matthew 14:1-21;
Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:5-15. |
|
30. |
Feeding the 4,000: Matthew
15:29-39; Mark 8:1-9. |
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31. |
Restores the deaf-mute man:
Mr.7:31-37. |
|
32. |
Restores a blind man:
Mr.8:22-26. |
|
33. |
Heals Bartimaeus, or one blind man:
Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43. |
|
34. |
Heals the epileptic boy:
Mt.17:14-21; Mr.9:14-29; Lk.9:37-43. |
|
35. |
The temple tax money obtained from a fish's mouth: Mt.17:24-27. |
|
36. |
Jesus heals 10 lepers:
Lk.17:11-19. |
|
37. |
Heals a man born blind: Jn. 9. |
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38. |
Raises Lazarus from the dead:
Jn.11:1-46. |
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39. |
Cures a man with dropsy on a Sabbath:
Lk.14:1-6. |
|
40. |
Restores sight to two blind men near |
|
41. |
Condemns a fig tree: Mt
21:17-22; Mr 11:12-14, 20-24. |
|
42. |
Heals the ear of Malchus:
Lk.22:49-51. |
|
43. |
Resurrection of Himself:
Mat.28, Mr.16, Lk.24, Jn.20,
1Cor.15. |
|
44. |
Ascension of Jesus: Lk.28:51,
Act.1:9-11. |
|
45. |
Miracle of Pentecost: Acts 2 |
3.7.
Mark records in Mk 6:48, that Jesus from His vantage
point up on the mountain where He had gone to pray saw the disciples struggling
to row in the midst of the stormy sea and wind, “He saw the disciples
straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth
watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake.” Before coming to their rescue, Jesus waited
for His disciples to struggle for several hours. Then, when it was about 3 hours before
sunrise (they began right at sundown) He walked out to rescue them.
3.8.
Jesus didn’t come to rescue His disciples right away
because He knew that they had to be prepared in heart to look to Him for
help. They had to first try on their own
and in their own strength, and then fail to accomplish this feat of rowing
across the sea, before they would be ready to look to Him for rescue.
3.8.1.
Isn’t it true that the Lord often lets us Christians
struggle and toil in our circumstances until we finally begin to see the
futility of looking to our own resources?
Then, when we finally cry out to Him as the disciples do on this day, He
shows Himself strong on our behalf and rescues us.
3.8.2.
When the Lord waits in answering our prayer it
accomplishes a couple of things: 1)
Makes us realize that it could only be the Lord who has answered our prayer, 2)
Makes us more appreciative of the answer that He provides us.
3.8.3.
I wonder if the night was dark enough, or the
disciples were far enough away (3-4 miles from shore), that no one but Jesus
from His perch could have seen the disciples out on the lake on this night
struggling to row with the wind and the waves on this night. Nothing can keep our Lord from seeing us and
our situation. He always knows
everything that is going on in our lives.
3.9.
The disciples could have turned around and gone back
from where they came, and then perhaps they would have had an easier passage
and maybe even the wind at their backs, but to their credit they chose on this
day to obey their Lord’s command to go over to the other side of the lake. As a result of their obedience, the disciples
got to see the Lord perform a great and wonderful miracle on this day in
controlling the forces of nature in rescuing them.
3.9.1.
It is so important for us as Christians in obedience to
stay the course that the Lord has laid out for us. If we will do this, He promises that He will
provide for all of our needs in that place and calling we are in. We need not fear circumstances, no matter
what they may be, for the Lord provides where He guides. However, we do need to be sure that we are in
the place that the Lord wants us to be, and not put Him to the test and go
where He has not called us to be.
4.
VS
6:20-21 - “But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’. They were willing therefore to receive Him
into the boat; and immediately the boat
was at the land to which they were going.” - Jesus tells the disciples not to be afraid
for they are not seeing a ghost but it is in fact Him who is walking towards them,
and then after He enters the boat they are immediately transported to the land
where they were going
4.1.
When the disciples heard and recognized the voice of
Jesus, they were no longer afraid that He was a ghost and they were then
willing to let Him get into their boat.
Next, miraculously the disciples realize that the boat is suddenly at
land where they were going. The boat was
miraculously transported to where they were going right after Jesus got
in.
4.2.
Mark records in his gospel that as soon as Jesus got
into the boat, the wind died down.
4.3.
We Christians need to be ‘willing’ to let the Lord into our boat! Is Jesus in your boat? If you will look to Him, He will always calm
the storm within you, and sometimes He will calm the storm around you. You need to not be fearful, but recognize
that He means only the best for you, and He will guide and protect you when you
look to Him for help.
4.4.
Matthew includes the interesting and colorful footnote
to this story that seems to bring to a head what Jesus was trying to teach His
disciples about faith. Matthew writes
that Peter saw Jesus “walking around” on the water, and recognizing that
Jesus was doing this feat through asked if he himself could come out and walk
around on the water just as Jesus was doing:
“‘Lord, if it's you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the
water’. ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked
on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid
and, beginning to sink, cried out, ’Lord, save me’. Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and
caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ And when they
climbed into the boat, the wind died down.”
4.4.1.
Jesus
didn’t rebuke Peter for his request to be able to step out of the boat and come
and walk on the water as He was doing, so the Lord does at least sometimes
sanction taking steps of faith. We
Christians need to realize also that if we are going to be able to walk on the
water then we are going to have to get out of the boat. We are going to have to be willing to take a
step of faith in the Lord and His calling and plans for our life. Maybe it’s a step to begin some ministry, or
move to some place where God is calling us to be a witness or begin a ministry,
or whatever.
4.4.2.
Notice that when Peter looked at his circumstances, he
began to sink, but when he looked at the Lord, he had faith and was able to
walk on the water. We Christians need to
have faith as we look to the Lord to supply all we need and protect us from all
harm.
4.4.3.
Also, when you look at our circumstances, they will
get bigger and bigger and God will get smaller and smaller; however, as you look at the Lord He will get
bigger and bigger and your circumstances will get smaller and smaller in
return.
4.4.4.
In my own
life I think back to 1994 when my wife and I had been praying for 3 ½ years
about moving to a city in
4.5.
In Matthew’s account of this miracle in Matt. 14:33
after Jesus raised out His hand and lifted Peter into the boat and the wind
subsided, he notes that the result of this was that the disciples worshipped
the Lord. Jesus did not correct the
disciples for worshipping Him either, after all being God Jesus knew that it
was appropriate for Him to be worshipped.
Seeing that the Lord is strong on our behalf, able to meet all of our
needs, and that He is in control of all of the forces of nature causes us to
simply worship Him for all of His greatness and the good things that He does in
our lives. This we shall be doing for eternity
around God’s throne.
5.
VS 6:22-25
- “The next day the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea
saw that there was no other small boat there, except one, and that Jesus had
not entered with His disciples into the boat, but that His disciples had gone
away alone. There came other small boats
from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had
given thanks. When the multitude
therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got
into the small boats, and came to
5.1.
The multitude again sought for Jesus, and when they
saw that He was not there and that there was not a boat missing that could have
taken Jesus to the other side of the lake, they, out of curiosity and wrong motives,
got into boats and went across the lake looking for Jesus.
5.2.
When this multitude finally found Jesus on the other
side of the lake, they wanted to know when He had arrived. Jesus in His typical fashion didn’t answer
the question that the people asked Him.
Rather, He condemned their motivations of their hearts for their seeking
Him on the other side of this lake.
6.
VS
6:26-27 - “Jesus answered them and said, ‘Truly,
truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you
ate of the loaves and were filled. Do
not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal
life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God,
has set His seal’.” - Jesus
rebukes the multitude for seeking Him for the wrong reasons
6.1.
Instead of answering the crowd’s question as to when
He arrived on the other side of the lake, Jesus rebukes this crowd for seeking
Him merely because they had been filled with the loaves, and because they hoped
they would receive more material blessings from Jesus.
6.2.
The thousands of people whom Jesus fed with just five
loaves and two fish did not understand the spiritual significance of anything
He had taught or shown to them. Jesus in
His rebuke here in essence tells them that they ought to be desirous for those
things which shall have value for eternity.
This life is very short and temporary and is soon to pass away, but
eternal rewards have an infinitely greater value. This multitude needed a Savior who could give
them eternal life, they didn’t need mere bread, fish, etc. (material things of
this life of any sort).
6.3.
We Christians ought to fight off worldly ambitions and
the desire for the things of this world.
Instead we ought to place our life in the Master’s hand, and allow Him
to produce through our life the fruit that will last for all of eternity. It is such a foolish thing to store up
treasures upon earth which will only rot and be consumed, and which we cannot
take with us to heaven. Truly, Jesus was
in the right when He asked what it would profit a man if he gained the whole
world but lost his own soul.
6.4.
There is a poem that says, “There is only one life,
will soon be passed. Only what is done
for Christ, will last.”
6.5.
Notice lastly that Jesus states here of Himself that
the Father has set His seal upon Him.
This reminds me of Jesus’ baptism when the Holy Spirit flew out of
heaven as a dove and landed upon Jesus, showing the Father’s acceptance of
Jesus. Then, the Father spoke in the
hearing of the crowd, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” This event was the Father showing His
acceptance and validation of Jesus and all that Jesus stood for and claimed
about Himself, including His being the eternal Son of God, the Messiah, the
hope of
7.
CONCLUSIONS:
7.1.
Place your complete trust in the one who has complete
control over all of nature.
7.2.
Realize that where Jesus guides He provides, therefore
stay the course of the calling and ministries that the Lord has for you.
7.3.
Learn to look to the Lord in your every need.
7.4.
Call to the Lord in the midst of the storm but realize
that sometimes He calms the storm around you but at other times He only calms
the storm within you.