¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; don't be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. ²³ Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. ²⁴ Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
When hope is thinnest, He is very near.
Context
Last week in Joh 6:1-15 we saw that after feeding the multitude with loaves and fish, the crowd tried to make Jesus king. He slipped away and went up the mountain alone to pray. We don’t know how long He was gone. Meanwhile, the disciples went down to the Sea of Galilee (682’ below sea level), got into a boat, and set out for Capernaum. They weren’t being rude or forgetful—the parallel account in Mar 6:45 says that after feeding the people, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. This is the key fact: Jesus purposefully sent them across the lake, fully aware of what would soon happen.
Thoughts
- In the Maelstrom, He is Very Near (16-18). Peter, Andrew, James and John were established fishermen by trade who had worked this body of water daily before being called. Strong backs and deep expertise. In the middle of the night—in the middle of the lake—everything falls apart. Mar 6:48 they were straining at the oars. βασανίζω/basanizō \= intense torment or affliction. Mat 6:24 a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. In a gale, impossible to keep a line, they keep rowing in obedience to the Master. We too are often rowing against the winds of world. Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. At 0300 in the black of this hower, their boat taking water, they surely doubted they’dmake it to shore, and wondered if Jesus had forgotten them. BUT Mark says He saw the disciples—He was always watching. In all our circumstances, He sees us.
- He Walks Out (19). Job 9:8 [God] alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. No doubt they were frightened! The One through him all things were made–walks calmly across the waves. In absolute control. Col 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
- It is I (20). 👉🏼Egō eimi is in a direct line Exo 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.* This is 2/10 times that Jesus speaks this in John. He’s not just a great teacher, not just a miracle man, He is the God-Who-Sees, and the God-Who -Saves. No barrier is too great to find us—neither wind, nor waves, not even our ugly sin.
- Sovereign Grace (21). Immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. Jesus’ divine shortcut proves His command of space and time when He steps in. Psa 107:29,30 He stilled the storm to a whisper, the waves of the sea were hushed / They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
Reflection
- What wave is threatening in your life? Where do you need to hear the voice of the I AM, and to live in the good news of His absolute control and sovereign grace?
