Question
It is I; Don't be afraid
John 6:16-24
Key Verse 6:20
But he said to them, “It is I; don't be afraid.”
1. Read verses 16-17. After Jesus fed the crowd, what did Jesus do? (Mk 6:45-46) Why did he withdraw to a mountain? (15b) Why did Jesus send them alone? (17)
2. Read verses 18-19. What happened as they rowed? (18) What happened when they had rowed three or three and a half miles? (19) Why were Jesus’ disciples terrified when they saw him? (19, Mk 6:49) What can we know about Jesus who walked on the water?
3. Read verses 20-21. How did Jesus help his disciples? (20) What did he mean by saying “It is I; don’t be afraid”? What did the disciples do when they recognized Jesus? (21a) What happened? (21b, Mk 6:51) What practical lesson can we get here? (21)
4. Read verses 22-24. How did the crowd go about searching for Jesus? (22-24) Why was the crowd so enthusiastic to find Jesus? (14-15)
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Message
IT IS I; DON’T BE AFRAID
John 6:16-24
Key Verse: 6:20
“But he said to them, ‘It is I; don't be afraid.’”
Yesterday Msn. Isaac delivered the message for Shep. Roman and Shep. Lani from Psalm 99:9, which reads, “Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.” Msn. Isaac shared that God is Holy and this means that God is perfect. In His perfection, God provides everything that man needs. In the earlier part of chapter 6 we learned that God provided enough food in order to feed 5,000 people, even though the disciples and Jesus had nothing and even had to take a young boys lunch of 2 fish and 5 small biscuits. In today’s passage we learn that God provides His hand of protection for His disciples. But there is more in this passage. This passage tells us that Jesus gives his disciples a storm training so that they might experience victory over the storms of life, so that we would become future spiritual leaders.
I. Jesus stayed behind, while His disciples went ahead (16-17)
Look at verses 16-17. “ 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.” After feeding the 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish, the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of leftovers. But still, the people didn't want to leave Jesus. So Jesus, who always set the example and never asked anyone to do more than He Himself did, stayed behind and sent His disciples on ahead. So Jesus urged his disciples to slip away from the crowd first. Personally, I could see that it is a senior’s job to set the example for younger disciples. Yesterday, I was really impressed how the mother of the groom stayed and worked hard to clean up after her son’s wedding yesterday. I saw how many coworkers worked hard to prepare the wedding so that we could all enjoy. I didn’t join in saying that I was too busy preparing the message. But I can see that I need to repent of my lack of a shepherd heart. I am called a senior shepherd, which means I am supposed to set the example for younger coworkers so that they learn to have a sense of responsibility and ownership in our ministry. I was really amazed when I heard that several coworkers stayed up till three in the morning to prepare the environment for the wedding. I also heard that Shep. Christine went early in the morning to get the flowers, like 3 or 4 am. We used to get flowers that were $3,000 for just the bouquet and the two large flower arrangements, which did not include all the other flowers, but I heard because Shep. Christine went early in the morning to get the best flowers she could, she only paid a couple of hundred dollars for all the flowers and there were even flowers left over. My point is not to only praise what they did, but to say that they did the right thing in taking ownership of the work that needed to be done. They took initiative and did a really good job. Jesus could have left the work to His disciples, but Jesus always is hard at work, He never retired. As a senior coworker I should have been there to help. Instead, I said that I needed to prepare this message so I am exempt. But from this part of the passage I can see that our Lord Jesus did not exempt Himself but had a shepherd’s heart to the very end. I and all the senior coworkers need to set a good example so that the growing disciples would learn to take initiative and ownership of the work that needs to be done in our ministry.
So the disciples got into the boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. They were sailing toward the seashore of Capernaum, while Jesus was caring for the sheep who were still there. Here we learn that Jesus cares for the flock of God's sheep to the end. Jesus was very mindful of the flock of God's sheep. Even though they had eaten their fill of food, Jesus was greatly concerned about how they would go back to their own places when the sun was setting in the western horizon. Jesus is like a mother who always is concerned about the welfare of her children day and night. Jesus is like the mother who wakes up several times in the night and goes to her children’s bedroom to see that they are fine. Mark 6:34a says, "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd." Jesus thought that they were in that miserable situation, not because they were wrong, but because they had no shepherd. Of course, they ate a lot through the event of feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. But Jesus worried again how they would provide the next meal for themselves. Mark 8:3 says, "If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance."
It is indeed amazing that Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 people with Andrew's five loaves and two fish. This miracle shows us Jesus' great shepherd heart. He had no bread to feed them, but out of his compassion he fed them because he wanted to feed the flock of God's sheep. After feeding the crowd of 5,000 people he must have been very tired. He understood that his disciples were also very tired, so he sent them away by boat. But he remained to take care of the flock of God's sheep.
But Jesus also stayed over there in order to pray to God on the mountain during the night (Mk. 6:46). In reality, Jesus had no quiet time to pray, because all day long he had to take care of crowding people. On his way somewhere or during eating time he taught his disciples. So he had no private time to pray to God. But here we see that Jesus prayed. Jesus could do everything, because He is the Almighty God. In today’s passage we see He even ordered the seas to be calm and they obeyed Him. So Jesus could have done everything with His power and authority. But he did not. Jesus did everything by the strength of God through prayer. He prayed, overcoming his exhaustion. Jesus' prayer was the time to report to God what he had done. Jesus' prayer was the time to fill up his spiritual strength in God. Jesus did everything through prayer. Jesus did everything with the strength of God. Jesus did everything for the glory of God through prayer. Jesus did everything in obedience to God through prayer.
Our Summer Bible Conference is not far off and we have a lot of work and tasks to prepare for this Conference and we need to do these things. But first and foremost we need to pray. We need God’s strength and power so that this conference would be truly useful and productive for His Kingdom work. So starting tomorrow we are going to have 5:30 morning prayer for the next 40 days, until the conference. Even though we are busy, may God help us to gather and follow Jesus’ own good example who prayed even though He was extremely tired and never had personal time.
II. The storm of life without Jesus. (18-19a)
Look at verses 18-19a. “18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,” From one side of the lake to the other was about 4 miles. The disciples had rowed about three quarters of the way across and all looked to be going well. They could clearly see the other shore by this time. They must have been so happy that their long day was almost over and they could finally hit a pillow and snuggle up in a blanket and fall into a deep sleep. They must have been very satisfied with all their hard labor. They had worked hard. And the finish line was in front of them.
But at the end of their rowing, a strong wind began to blow and the water grew rough. Instead of a well-deserved rest, they found themselves in the middle of a storm. Instead of a warm bed and comfortable pillow and a good shoulder massage awaiting them, they were being splashed in the face with icy cold water and their clothes were drenched and their muscles ached from all their exertions and straining at the oars. They must have thought to themselves, “Man are we ever going to catch a break?” They must have complained and grumbled to themselves. They had taken care of others, wasn’t it time for them to finally get a break and rest. But they had no choice they had to keep rowing, because they could not stay in the middle of the lake. They had to reach the other side. They could not stop. So they strained and wrestled with their oars trying to make it to the other side. The problem was that for every foot they gained the wind blew them back two feet. They seemed to be going nowhere and if anything the shore looked like it was getting further away, not closer!
But not only was the winds pushing them further backwards away from their destination and goal, the winds and rough waters were so violent that it was threatening to swamp them and drown them. Several of the disciples including Peter, his brother Andrew and also John and his brother James, were professional fisherman, so they were familiar with such storms and had to fight such storms. But this storm was extremely powerful. It was more than all their expertise could handle. At first when the storm began, those disciples who had never been on the lake, especially at night must have been terrified. But Peter puffed out his chest and with a reassuring voice told them, “Don’t worry I’ve been through worse. Me and my guys will get you safely to other side.” And at first it looked like he and the others would do so. But the storm continued to worsen and worsen, till finally even Peter and the other fisherman became fearful and terrified that they would drown also.
This is a really good illustration of our lives without Jesus. As I get a little older, I am learning one thing. Life does not get easier. Life comes with more and more challenges and difficulties. I remember when I was in college that I looked back on High School and wished I was still back in High School, because it was so much easier; when I was in High School I didn’t think that way, but when I was in college I certainly thought that way, especially when I learned I had to read 5 or 6 books for just one class. But strangely, I also looked forward to finishing college so that I could be done with all the assignments and finals and could concentrate on working and establishing a family. I realize now that I had a really rose colored view of what my life would be like after I finished college. Now I have five sons and five disciples and five fish to take care of. I have a mortgage payment. I am a messenger. My life did not get easier; it came with more and more challenges and responsibilities. And because I’m not the most responsible and disciplined person in the world, it makes it even harder for me to stay on top of everything I am supposed to take care of.
In reality it is more than I can handle on my own. For some when the storms and challenges of life become overwhelming they cannot deal with it so they drown under it. They shut down; while others even want to end their lives.
Jesus had chosen His Twelve in order to raise them up to positions of spiritual leadership. To serve the work of God after He went back to Heaven. But they were still very young and not ready. On their own they could not overcome all the storms of life. And this is where they remained, out in the middle of the lake straining at the oars and not going anywhere and perhaps even going backwards.
III. The storm of life with Jesus (19b-21)
Look at verses 19b-20. "[T]hey saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. But he said to them, 'It is I; don't be afraid.'" After prayer, Jesus came to his disciples, walking on the water. The disciples were still struggling to save themselves from the turmoil of the lake. They were terrified at first. They did not recognize that it was really Jesus, they thought it was a ghost, which made the whole matter even more frightening.
This was because they did not realize that Jesus could do such a thing as walk on the water. No one can do such a thing. So they could only think they were seeing a ghost. Even though Jesus was with them, they still were terrified. They did not realize that Jesus is the Almighty God who has all power and authority in Heaven and earth. They thought they were all alone and they were powerless and frightened to death.
So Jesus said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” When Jesus said, “It is I,” Jesus was telling them who He was. He helped them to see that Jesus could do the impossible and that they were not alone. Jesus is the Holy God, the God who provides everything for man. Jesus is the One who calls us to serve Him and is with us to help us to accomplish every task He gives to us. Jesus said to His disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations… And surely I am with you…”
We just celebrated the 50th anniversary of our ministry in Korea. And God has blessed us sooo much. But there is still so much work to be done. It seems that the work is becoming greater. We now have to think about the health of our senior coworkers, who gave their whole lives to build up God’s work and did not think about themselves. We have to provide for them. We are building up a hospital in Uganda, this takes a lot of resources and expertise. We have web services to think about. And all the while most importantly we need to raise up disciples. We need to train and raise up committed disciples who will transform this nation America into a missionary sending nation once again. Humanly, it looks impossible. When I think about myself, I easily become discouraged. My strength is not unlimited.
But Jesus says, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” We need to know that Jesus is with us. We have nothing to be afraid. It may not look possible that Jesus is with us. It may appear that we are all alone and have to take care of everything on our own. But this is not true. Jesus tells us today, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Jesus wants us to stop thinking we see ghosts and to realize that He is truly with us.
Look at verse 21. "Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading." When the disciples listened to Jesus’ Words and overcame their unbelief they could see that it truly was Jesus and not a ghost (Mk. 6:47). When they repented their unbelief, they could see Jesus who walked on the water was their master. So all their fright disappeared like a vapor and they were happy and welcomed him. Immediately, the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
From this event we can see that this storm was not an accident; it was the Holy God’s provision to raise and train them to become the future disciples of Jesus. They needed this kind of training. With their own strength they were only perishing. But when they welcomed Jesus, everything went well. We cannot escape the storms of life. At the time of a storm of life, we must hear Jesus' voice, "It is I; don't be afraid."
IV - Those who overcame the storm of life in Jesus. (22-24)
Look at verses 22-24. “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.” From these verses we can clearly see why Jesus trained His disciples in this way. Even though Jesus and the Twelve had worked hard to serve the people, there was still many more needs that needed to be met. The people were surely like sheep without a shepherd. When they lost track of Jesus, the crowd ‘went in search of Jesus.”
When Jesus began his earthly messianic ministry, he was mainly healing the sick and preaching the kingdom of God. And at the same time, from the beginning, he chose his disciples as future leaders and successors of his ministry. He could not remain. And Jesus could not finish the work by Himself. The needs of the flock would continue on and on to the very end. People to this very day are searching for their True Shepherd. But they don’t know where He is or where He can be found. So Jesus raised up Twelve men who had Jesus’ compassionate heart and faith in Holy Jesus to provide everything they need to serve the flock of God.
Once there was a man named Mark. He was a city man, and a man from a well-to-do family. He was an intellectual hedonist. He loved the truth but could not practice it. He wanted to commit his life in God, but he always did something undesirable. Once, he was a disciple of Paul during the time of Paul's missionary journey. Journey means travel. The word "travel" came from the word "trouble." Paul's journey was full of hardships and sufferings. So Mark left Paul in Perga in Pamphylia to return to Jerusalem where his mommy was (Ac. 13:13). He was a man of uncommitment. He was literally an intellectual hedonist. He wanted to do many good things each day. But to the contrary, he was directed by his own sinful desires. He was like a spoiled boy from a rich family. But he met Peter and learned how to serve God from Peter. His life was changed from an intellectual hedonist to a servant of Jesus Christ. His storm of life was his intellectual hedonism. But he wrote Mark's gospel, which is the shortest but includes the most events. In his gospel he emphasized that Jesus is the servant (Mk. 10:45). In the storm of life of his intellectual hedonism he came to God. He became the most beautiful servant of Jesus Christ. He summarized the life of Jesus in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Luke was a Gentile. He was not one of Jesus' twelve disciples. He was a physician and historian. He was introduced to Jesus by St. Paul. He lived as a personal physician to St. Paul. He was with St. Paul when he was in a Roman prison. He was also a secretary to St. Paul. Luke's gospel describes the perfect man and perfect God, Jesus. Luke's gospel explains why Jesus is the Savior of the world. Gentiles were mostly eating and drinking, and died when they were old. Luke's storm of life was meaninglessness. But in his storm of meaninglessness, he was saved when he met Jesus through Paul.
John was one of Jesus' disciples. John and James were brothers and sons of one mother. They were fishermen. But they were very ambitious, and fire was burning in their hearts. Once, Jesus was passing by the people of Samaria. The people of Samaria didn't accept Jesus and his company. Then John asked Jesus, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" (Lk 9:54) John also persuaded his mother to help them obtain the seats of Prime Minister in the messianic kingdom he thought Jesus would establish (Mt 20:20). He was a
politically-minded person. In short, he was a very harmful person and a first-class liar. But he was changed after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. His storm of life was political ambition. When he was changed, he could see the divinity of Jesus. He also saw the broken shepherd heart of Jesus. So he described Jesus in John 10:11. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." He also received eternal life from Jesus and said in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Such a corrupted, politically-minded John was changed into a most excellent spiritual man who wrote John's gospel.
There was a little girl who looked like a Sharon Rose. She was loved by all her village people, even by many barking dogs. The village people all wanted to have sons. But since a girl like a Sharon Rose was born and grew among them, they all wanted to have daughters. But one day, something bad happened to her. Suddenly she became blind. She was no more a beautiful Sharon Rose to the village people. Her two eyes seemed to be only holes to shed many tears because of her sorrows in being a blind woman. One day she heard the story of Jesus from her mother. Her mother told her that Jesus is the one and only Son of God, but he came to this world to become the Lamb of God to die on a cross for the sin of the world. Then she saw the light of life. After that, she began to write hymn songs. There are several tens of thousands of hymns. But her hymns have been most widely accepted. Among them, "I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice, And it told thy love to me," is the most famous. Her storm of life was her sudden blindness. But when she was with Jesus, she became a hymn writer.
Thank God who gave the disciples storm training on the way to a vacation spot. We don't know if they had a good vacation after storm training. But God wants us to receive storm training and become changed servants of God. To grow as His spiritual coworkers and servants in our generation.
One Word: It is I; don’t be afraid.
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Biblenote
It is I; Don't be afraid
John 6:16-24
Key Verse 6:20
But he said to them, “It is I; don't be afraid.”
Introduction:
Jesus had fed 5,000 people with a compassionate heart in the last passage. He showed his power to provide. Now, in today’s passage, he shows his power to protect. When they became stuck in an unexpected squall, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake, and helped them put their trust in him and receive his deliverance. Although he rejected being a political king (15), Jesus demonstrated his kingship over the forces of nature and showed his glory as the true God and Creator who is worthy of our worship and devotion. This passage plays a pivotal role in making a bridge between his miracle of feeding the 5,000 and his teachings related to that miracle in verses 25-71. Because of his personal revelation to his disciples in today’s passage, they remained when the half-hearted followers left (66).
Jesus walking on the water is the fifth sign-miracle recorded in John’s Gospel. The account of this miracle is recorded also in Mat 14:22-36 and Mk 6:45-52 (it does not appear in Luke). Apostle John had a different point to reveal in his account of this miracle than the other evangelists and he adds a few details which they omitted. John wanted to emphasize the deity of Jesus Christ at the time of confusion when he wrote this gospel around AD 85.
1. Read verses 16-17.
ANSWER:
Jn 6:16-17 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.
After Jesus fed the crowd, what did Jesus do? (Mk 6:45-46)
ANSWER:
Mar 6:45-46 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Jn 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Jesus dismissed the crowd.
Jesus made his disciples go on ahead of him to Capernaum (17) (see map below). The word “made” (lit. compelled) conveys the urgency called for due to the volatile crowd.
Jesus was like a loving mother who delicately cares for her children each day. Jesus himself dismissed the crowd and then sent his disciples to the other side of the lake to perhaps have some rest – the rest he had wanted them to have since early that day (Mk 6:31). They might have been tired because they had served over 5000 people by distributing the bread and fish (Mat 14:19). When Jesus finished feeding the crowd, his disciples were still busy to collect the leftovers while the people were still resting from their meal (13).
Why did he withdraw to a mountain? (15b)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Jesus he did this to escape the crowd who wanted to make him king by force (15).
Jesus also did this to secure the spiritual rest in prayer that he had been seeking earlier that day (Mat 14:23; Mk 6:46).
Jesus probably wanted to pray because of the news of the beheading of John the Baptist (Mat 14:12-13). John’s death signified that Jesus was soon going to suffer at their hands (Mat 17:12).
Jesus must have been dogged tired due to his strenuous work from morning to night. Yet, Jesus received supernatural strength from his prayer time that evening to such an extent that later he could walk on the water and even catch up with his disciples who were still rowing (19).
So, despite his tiredness and busy schedule, Jesus came to his loving Father in heaven and had fellowship. He reported to his Father what he had done and asked what his Father wanted next.
Jesus probably prayed for his disciples that night that they might know him and participate in serving his purpose:
His prayer for them was probably that they might really come know him as their God and Savior, the source of life. They did not figure this out yet from the miracle of feeding the 5,000 (Mk 6:52). So his prayer was that they might learn this important point through the upcoming miracle of him walking on the lake.
He prayed that his disciples might know him and his power (Mat 14:29; Eph 1:19-20; Php 3:10; Mat 22:29; 2Co 12:9) through which they could walk above their circumstances and serve many with the strength he provides beyond their human limitation and so that they could rise as victors over spiritual storms: Toil and trouble and difficulty and threat and danger, heartbreak and heartache which they were sure to encounter as Jesus’ servants (2Co 4:11-12; 2Co 1:8-9; 2Co 11:23).
Earlier, Jesus had showed a compassionate heart toward the hungry crowd and had asked Philip, “Where shall WE buy bread for these people to eat?” (5) He might therefore have prayed for them to learn his shepherd heart and to participate with him in distributing to spiritually hungry people the knowledge of himself as the bread from heaven.
Why did Jesus send them alone? (17)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:17 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.
Because the disciples were in danger of being swept away by the spiritual windstorm on the land – the surge of messianic, nationalistic enthusiasm amongst the crowds stirred by Jesus’ miracle. The volatile crowd might take and use his disciples for their purpose to make him king by force.
Because Jesus had in mind to reveal his glory and power as God through the windstorm on the lake and train them to trust in him.
The disciples might have thought that they finally had their own private time. They might have wondered why Jesus had not yet joined them. In the first storm (Mat 8:24; Mk 4:37; Luk 8:23), Jesus was present with them in the boat the entire time. But in this storm, Jesus wanted to reveal of his glory and power as God and teach them to trust his unseen care and concern for them (a point which they should have learned from the sign-miracle of the loaves, Mk 6:52). Mark 6:48 indicates that Jesus was watching the disciples from the mountain as they rowed across the lake. His eye was on them the whole the time. Jesus intended to show up at the right moment and the right way.
2. Read verses 18-19.
ANSWER:
Jn 6:18-19 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.
What happened as they rowed? (18)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
Mat 14:24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Mar 6:48a He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.
They became stuck in an unexpected squall. They were professional fisherman. They grew up in this lake. They thought that they would handle it according to their past experience and skill. But it was beyond their ability. As the storm grew rough, they were hopeless and powerless.
This was not a life-threatening crisis but rather a problem which was stopping them from making it to the other side. It sapped their strength.
What happened when they had rowed three or three and a half miles? (19)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.
Job 9:8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
They were now “in the middle of the lake” (Mar 6:47).
This happened during the fourth watch of the night, sometime between three and six in the morning (Mat 14:25; Mk 6:48). So, they had rowed hard for perhaps six to nine hours and yet had only reached the middle of the lake.
By this time, they must have been greatly frustrated and absolutely exhausted and wet and cold.
While they strained at the oars, Jesus strained in prayer; while they relied on their skills and experience as fishermen, Jesus relied on his Father’s power.
He waited for them to reach their human limitation that he might reveal to them the power of God.
Why does the Lord allow us to suffer for so long? Perhaps to make it deeply clear to us that our deliverance came from him and not from us and to make his love and power and glory known to us that we may stand in awe of him and worship him and remember his deliverance with thanksgiving and praise always (Psa 86:12-13).
Why were Jesus’ disciples terrified when they saw him? (19, Mk 6:49)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.
Mar 6:49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,
As the disciples looked back (they would be looking backward as they rowed in the boat), they saw from out of the dark a human form coming toward them on the water. Naturally, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and cried out in fear.
What can we know about Jesus who walked on the water?
ANSWER:
Outwardly, Jesus looked like a rural rabbi who lived in poverty with his disciples in Capernaum. Nothing was attractive about his external experience (Isa 53:2b). But at this moment, Jesus was walking on the lake. He showed his deity as the true God and Creator. And Job 9:8 reads, “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.”
Mk 6:48c says, “He was about to pass by them.” If we take this literally, it doesn’t make sense: Surely he was not indifferent to their plight. Probably, it alludes to Exo 33:19 and 1Ki 19:11. Jesus is referred to as God whose glory was about to be passed in front of them. So his disciples’ fear on this occasion may have another explanation: Theophanies evoke fear and so the Lord says to not be afraid (Jdg 6:23).
Through knowing Jesus and his power, we can be more than conquerors in all situations. Conversely, those who are not connected to God through a knowing relationship with Jesus Christ do not have the supernatural power by which they can overcome the windstorms in this dark world or the forces of evil at work within themselves (Mat 7:26-27).
3. Read verses 20-21.
ANSWER:
Jn 6:20-21 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.
How did Jesus help his disciples? (20)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
He said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
He revealed himself as their God and Savior to calm their fears. Literally, he said, “I AM”. The words “I AM” echo the name God used for himself in Exo 3:14. So, Jesus was referring to himself as God.
This is the second time we have encountered this name. The first was in Jn 4:26.
What did he mean by saying “It is I; don’t be afraid”?
ANSWER:
Jesus first helped them to identify who he was. “It is I; don’t be afraid.” He implied, ‘it is the “I AM,” who is coming to you, the Almighty One who rules wind and waves, who made them, and whom they obey.’ On this basis, their fears could be calmed.
Jesus knew their trouble and fear. Jesus helped them to see himself as God and Savior instead of storm itself and themselves. In Mat 8:23-27 (the first storm training), Jesus rebuked the storm and his disciples’ unbelief. But here in this event, they were encouraged to focus and see who Jesus is despite the problem.
What did the disciples do when they recognized Jesus? (21a)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:21a Then they were willing to take him into the boat
They welcomed him into the boat.
His words calmed their internal storm and then “they were willing to take him into the boat”. Only John’s gospel reveals this point.
What happened? (21b, Mk 6:51)
ANSWER:
Mar 6:51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,
Mat 14:33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of
God."
Jn 6:21b and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
After Jesus climbed aboard, we know from the synoptic accounts that the sequence of events were:
The “wind died down” (Mk 6:51a).
They were “completely amazed” (Mk 6:51b).
They “worshipped him” (Mat 14:33a).
They said, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Mat 14:33b) Their eyes were suddenly opened to his identity as the divine Son and the Christ.
The boat immediately “reached the shore where they were heading” (21b). This is a point revealed only in John’s Gospel. What a remarkable thing it is! John exposed Jesus’ deity and the wonderful outcome of trusting him so clearly.
Moses parted the Red Sea so that his followers could cross on dry land (Exo 14). But Jesus is shown here as one who is far greater than Moses. We can almost hear the Apostle John triumphantly proclaiming to the Jews, ‘Can your lawgiver do this? Did Moses ever walk on the water and instantly transport his followers to the other side?’ Jesus is presented in this chapter as the Prophet who is like Moses whom God promised to send in Deu 18:18 (see also Acts 3:22) and yet One who is greater than Moses, the One whom Moses only foreshadowed (Jn 1:17).
What practical lesson can we get here? (21)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
First, like the disciples, we also ought to be willing to welcome Jesus into our boat that he may be present with us in power despite any spiritual windstorms arising in our lives. Usually when we have practical problems, our hearts become stuck and we strain to conquer the problem, depending on ourselves and our limited resources. We might pray but only in order to get through the problem and no more, forgetting that God desires for us to know him through our crisis. And so our storms are the time for us to be receptive to Jesus and his words and seek to learn of him and trust him with prayerful minds.
Second, Jesus has power to rescue us.
Once Jesus was in the boat, the trouble was over and “immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading”. Often times we are stubbornly trying to do our job by our own strength only to make no progress and feel frustration. The solution is to cry out to Jesus in our trouble, that he may bring us out of our distress and guide us to our desired haven (Psa 107:23-30). Thank God who answers our prayer and helps us complete the tasks he asks us to do.
Our storms can come in many forms such as a lay-off. But external trouble can be a disguise for the powers of this dark world working to separate us from our love relationship with Jesus. We must make a conscious effort to see Jesus and welcome his words in our heart. The disciples were in this uncomfortable place because Jesus told them to cross the lake (Mat 14:22; Mk 6:45). We will face trials when we set out to do what Jesus tells us to do. Jesus knows this. He understands it. So, we should never be deceived and entertain fatalistic thinking. Rather we must remember that he is working for our good even in bad situations. He is the King who is in control and wants to reveal of himself and his power and love (Ro 8:28, 5:3-5; Jn 16:33; Eph 1:17-19).
4. Read verses 22-24.
ANSWER:
Jn 6:22-24 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.
How did the crowd go about searching for Jesus? (22-24)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:22-24 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.
The crowd was aware that something strange had happened. They somehow figured out that Jesus had disappeared from the scene and that he had not left with his disciples in the boat. It is not clear how they knew to search for Jesus in Capernaum. Did they assume this because Capernaum was the base of his ministry (Mat 4:13-14) or did they overhear his disciples in verse 17? Whatever the case, they sensed that Jesus had somehow crossed the lake without a boat!
They worked hard like detective Sherlock Holmes, searching for clues. We see that they searched for him with enthusiasm, intelligent observation, diligence, and perseverance. Their hard work in running after Jesus for bread even exceeds the diligence of those who come after him with a right motive! We should not be fooled by the diligence with which impostors seem to seek the Lord (26; Psa 14:2-4; Ro 3:11).
This account shows the daily schedule of those who live on the flesh level. As soon as they wake up, they think about their stomach and search for food, using all their brain power and muscle power to get it.
Jesus blessed these people with a great miracle, feeding all 5,000 of them and satisfying them with bread. But they did not respond to this sign-miracle with the right faith and seek Jesus himself as their true spiritual bread. Jesus had dismissed them and dispersed them in order to temporarily defuse their plans, but the next morning their stomachs were hungry again and they regrouped and formed a search party. They were determined to make him a king. They concluded that Jesus would be the right king to rescue them from the cruel rule of Herod Antipas.
Note: The boats from Tiberias had probably been knocked off course by the high winds (23).
Consider how valuable it is to be Jesus’ disciple. Like Jesus’ disciples, we are chosen to be with him always. Even though we may have to go through some storm training, Jesus reveals of himself that we may know him and his power. On the other hand, the crowds and superficial followers in this chapter did not come to know Jesus and they left. In the book of Mark, chapter 8 is the dividing point between the crowds and the disciples. But, in the book of John, chapter 6 is the juncture to divide between the crowd and the disciples in terms of their commitment to Jesus.
Why was the crowd so enthusiastic to find Jesus? (14-15)
ANSWER:
Jn 6:14-15 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
These were poor Galilean peasants who suffered under the cruel rule of Herod Antipas. Earlier, Jesus had shown compassion for people like this, describing them as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mat 9:36). But now they were aggressively and selfishly seeking after him; their desire for him was misdirected. They tried to make Jesus a political king to guarantee their food. So Jesus had to help them out with a lengthy exhortation in the following passage.
In conclusion:
Jesus ordered his disciples to cross the lake with the intention of helping them to know who he is. Compared to the crowd who tried to force Jesus to be a king, the disciples were blessed to know who Jesus is better and deeper. As a result, they had the great opportunity to be with Jesus and learn the secret to overcome any storm by relying on him. May the Lord bless our growing disciples and second generation children to know Jesus personally in the same way. Amen.
One word: It is I
Luke does, however, record the account of Jesus calming the storm (Luk 8:22-25) as do the other synoptic writers (Mat 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41). But in that account, Jesus was riding in the boat with the disciples throughout the entire time they crossed the lake.
How did Jesus dismiss the crowd if they were determined to make him king by force (15)? He did it by supernatural power – the same power through which he cleared the temple in Jn 2:15-17. The crowds obeyed the voice of our Lord, as did the wind and the sea when Jesus calmed the storm (Mk 4:39) and as the invalid did when he got up, picked up his mat, and walked upon hearing Jesus’ command (Jn 5:8-9).
There are three issues here: 1) the location of the miracle (please see notes on Jn 6:1-15 for details); 2) the place where they were heading; and 3) the place where they actually landed.
Regarding issue #2, the place where they were heading: Verse 17 says that the disciples were headed for Capernaum but Mk 6:45 says that their destination was Bethsaida Julias: “Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida”. This is easily reconciled: They may have intended to stop briefly at Capernaum along their journey to Bethsaida, their ultimate destination.
Regarding issue #3, the place where they actually landed: According to Mat 14:34 and Mk 6:53, they landed at Gennesaret but Jn 6:21, 24, and 59 seem to indicate that they landed at Capernaum. This is reconciled if the shore where they landed in Jn 6:21 was not Capernaum as we assume but Gennesaret and that they traveled from there to Capernaum later that same day. Gennesaret to Capernaum was 2.2 miles.
Map created by Bible Mapper version 3.0 by David P. Barrett. (C) 2005-2008 (http://www.biblemapper.com). No copyright restrictions are placed on any maps created with Bible Mapper.
This squall was unusual because it lasted the entire night. A squall is defined as, “a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm.” (HarperCollins Publishers, Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition, 2009) How do these squalls occur? “The Sea of Galilee, though but a small sheet of water, some thirteen miles long by six broad, is liable to be visited by sharp, sudden squalls, probably due to its situation. It lies in a deep hollow of volcanic origin, bounded on either side by steep ranges of hills rising above the water-level from one to two thousand feet. The difference of temperature at the top and bottom of these hills is very considerable. Up on the tablelands above the air is cool and bracing; down at the margin of the lake, which lies seven hundred feet below the level of the ocean, the climate is tropical. The storms caused by this inequality of temperature are tropical in violence. They come sweeping down the ravines upon the water; and in a moment the lake, calm as glass before, becomes from end to end white with foam, whilst the waves rise into the air in columns of spray.” (Alexander Balmain Bruce, The Training of the Twelve: Timeless Principles for Leadership Development, Pg 129)
These winds typically came from the north, from Mount Hermon. So, the disciples who were trying to row northward to Capernaum were traveling directly in the face of the wind. Under normal weather conditions, it should have taken only a couple hours to row across the lake.
The NAS reads, “...He intended to pass by them.” The Greek word ηθελεν (G2309) can be translated “to be about to” (NIV) or “to wish, i.e. be inclined to” (NAS). Source: Jonathan Kristen Mickelson, Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries.
The AMP reads, “But Jesus said to them, It is I; be not afraid! [I AM; stop being frightened!]” The HCSB text note reads, “Lit I am”. Burridge remarks, “Jesus’ reply is simple, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’ (6:20), except that nothing in John is as simple as it seems. Even on the lake, we find deeper waters underneath the surface! While it is true that the Greek phrase, ego eimi, can be used to identify the speaker in this way (see e.g. 9:9), its literal translation is ‘I am’. As we saw when Jesus used it to introduce himself to the Samaritan woman (see on 4:26 above), it reminds us of the divine name revealed to Moses and used in the prophets (see, e.g. Exod. 3:14; Is. 41:4; 43:10). Jesus uses it about thirty-five times to refer to himself in this gospel, often with a description like bread or light: on other occasions, his use of it on its own as the divine name will invite stoning (8:58—59). Here too it stands alone; whether the disciples take it as his simple self-identification, or hear the resonance of the name of God is unclear but it is enough to calm their fears and bring the boat to land immediately (6:21).” (Richard A. Burridge, John: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer, Pg 89)
Source: B. W. Johnson, The New Testament Commentary: Vol. III--John
This was preceded by Peter’s request to walk on the water. “"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” (Mat 14:28-29). This teaches that we need to look at Jesus not the storms.