Series: Greater Expectations
June 30, 2019 | Dr. Wes George
Passage: John 6:16-21
15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they *saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.
20 But He *said to them, “It is I; ado not be afraid.”
21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
22 The next day the crowd 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.
23 There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus.
25 When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”
One of the greatest miracles has just taken place in the feeding of the 5000. If you were one of the disciples, you would think that things are beginning to roll now. Jesus is coming out of His proverbial shell and beginning to flex His deity muscles. That must mean good things for the disciples, His entourage. Today we look at Jesus calming the storm, and walking on water. We see the power of God but it is in the context of a problem. As a matter of fact, miracles take place in the context of a problem. When you need a miracle, it means that you have a rather sizable problem. Andrae Crouch. “If I never had a problem, I would never know that God can solve them.” A synonym for the power of God is the providence of God. This passage demonstrates His providence. Some scholars do not include this miracle in their list of the signs of John. Those who do not typically include the cleansing of the temple as the second sign right after the water into wine sign.
The providence of God is demonstrated. . .
Jesus has perception of all situations 15
He perceived them coming, taking Him by force, making Him King. So He withdrew to the mountain by Himself alone. We can also say it is demonstrated through the prayers of Jesus. Matthew’s parallel passage let’s us see that Jesus was praying while on that mountain, He could see what was going on from that mountain looking down over the Sea of Galilee. We are never outside the visibility and awareness and power of God.
Jesus has a plan for His disciples 16-18
16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
His plan was for them to get into the boat and set sail without Him into a storm. His plan was for Him to watch and pray for them from the mountain. His plan for them was trouble, problems, storms.
Following Jesus will get you in trouble.
Following Jesus will place you in danger.
Following Jesus will cause people to not like you.
Following Jesus will cost you friends, fame, and fortune.
Jesus has a plan for His followers and that plan is a cross. Jesus died on a cross so you and I can live by the cross, live carrying a cross.
Jesus has His presence for His disciples 19-20
19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they *saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He *said to them, “It is I; ado not be afraid.”
His peace is found in His presence. In Your presence is fullness of joy. We have everything within the presence of God.
You may not be able to see Him, but He can see you.
When Jonathan and Caleb were around 6 and 8, I had taken them out squirrel hunting. Mainly, we were walking around in the woods. Jonathan kept wondering off. I kept telling him to stay close beside me. Finally, I just stopped and got behind a tree and watched as he and Caleb just wandered off. I kept them in my sight, but they could not see me. They finally realized it and began to holler for me. I did not answer. Caleb began to argue with Jonathan and eventually started crying because he thought they were lost. They could not see me, but I could see them.
Here they first saw Him walking on water. What a miracle! What a sign! Jesus could not be held by natural laws of nature. He could overcome mother nature.
Seeing Him on the water while they were on the boat was not enough. Notice what 21 says, 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat,. . . He got in the boat with them. He was present. Nothing like the presence of Jesus, the Lord.
Also, the English text translates “It is I”. The Greek is ego eimi which is “I am”. While not considered one of the 7 I am statements. He is indeed saying “I am” it is “I am.”
Jesus has power to save His disciples 21
21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
Sometimes God saves us in the storm, sometimes through the storm, and sometimes from the storm. The 3 Hebrew boys were not saved from the fiery furnace but in it and through it. But they were ultimately saved.
Jesus has a purpose for His disciples 22-25
22 The next day the crowd 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.
23 There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus.
25 When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”
His purpose was to get His disciples to safety.
His purpose was to get His disciples to the other side.
His purpose was to draw others to follow Him.
His purpose was to cause questions from seekers.
Adrian Rogers “God has not promised smooth sailing, but He has promised you a safe landing.” He will go to great extremes to save His people. He really performed 3 miracles. He calmed the storm. He walked on water. He immediately delivered them to the shore defying time and space.
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