Walking
on, or Sinking in, the Storms of Life:
Context:
- immediately following the feeding of the 5000, Jesus sends His disciples in a boat to cross the sea of Galilee to (Mark:Bethsaida, John:Capernaum: Some think Bethsaida was a fishing suburb of Capernaum).
- Jesus then goes up the mountain to pray (finally some alone time with the Father).
- while Jesus enjoys His solitude, the boat is beaten by the waves.
- the wind was against them.
- in the fourth watch of the night Jesus walks across the sea to meet them.
Why
would Jesus make His disciples leave?
- John 6:15 “...Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself...”
- since the people wanted to make Him king, He was likely removing His disciples from this influence.
When
is the fourth watch?
- a twelve hour night had four watches of 3 hours each.
- night started at 6 pm.
- the fourth watch would be from 3-6 am.
Matthew
14:27-31 “...But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take
heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered
him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the
boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the
wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord,
save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of
him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you
doubt?...”
Mark
6:49-52 “...but when they saw him walking on the sea they
thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were
terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take
heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the
boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,
for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were
hardened...”
John
6:20-21 “...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...”
Were
the disciples battling the storm most of the night?
- John 6:19 “...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...”
- Matthew 14:24 “...but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them...”
In
the midst of crisis, how did the disciples react to presence of
Jesus?
- they were terrified (Mark)
What
was Jesus response to the disciples condition?
- “...do not be afraid...”
How
did Peter then answer Jesus?
- he wanted to minimize the distance between himself and Jesus.
Is
Peter’s response a good example for us to follow when facing life’s
storms?
Why
did Peter, and why do we, start sinking in the middle of life’s
storms?
- we are influenced by what we set our eyes upon.
- our focus is easily distracted from the author and perfector of our faith.
- stepping toward Jesus reveals our doubt, but helps us grow.
- cowering in the boat doesn’t increase our faith.
What
is the result of welcoming Jesus into our presence?
- Mark 6:51 “...he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased...”
- John 6:21 “...they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going...”
- the purpose He has for us is realized.
- accepting His Lordship leads to worship.
Mark
6:51 “...And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased.
And they were utterly astounded,...”
- existanto - literally “out of their minds"
- seeing the authority and power of Jesus is no small matter.
Mark
6:52 “...for they did not understand about the loaves, but their
hearts were hardened...”
How
did misunderstanding the loaves lead the disciples to 'lack of
faith'?
- How many signs and wonders are necessary to soften a person’s heart?
- What does it take for a person to come to complete confidence in Jesus?
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