Miraculous Jesus, Son of God

John 6:16-21
Length: 17:36

This is a message given on August 2, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.

Our Scripture reading this morning is no doubt a familiar one to most of us. We usually refer to it as the miracle of Jesus walking on water. However, upon looking at the account as recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, we see there are really four miracles here.

First, and most familiar, is Jesus walking on water. Second, from Matthew we read that Jesus enabled Peter to walk on water. Third, Jesus again calms the wind and sea. Finally, Jesus gets into the boat and immediately they arrive at their destination.

This story continues the theme we saw last week, which emphasized the sovereignty of Jesus, but also shows the people misunderstanding who he really is. Let’s take a closer look at what is happening with the Walking on Water miracle.

Jesus had just fed the 5,000 people as we saw last week. The people of course wanted to make Him King. The crowd is still around Jesus well into the evening. As the evening wears on and the crowd settles in for the night, Jesus tells His disciples to head to the other side. Jesus heads off to pray for a while and will join the disciples later.

Meanwhile, the disciples are in the middle of the sea, about 3 or 4 miles from shore. The disciples were no doubt tired and to make matters worse a storm was kicking up. A strong wind was blowing.

Think about what must have been going through the disciple’s minds here. They had just witnessed another miracle of Jesus when he fed the crowd. They too probably wanted to make Him King.

They were probably wondering why Jesus sent them away and not only that, but why were they sent into this storm at night. And where was Jesus, why didn’t He come with us and how is He going to meet us on the other side?

So far, we see two scenes. The disciples struggling on the sea in the middle of a storm and Jesus praying alone in the calm of a mountain top.

Jesus knows what is going on with the disciples and starts walking out to meet them in the middle of the sea. As He approaches the boat, the disciples see Him and become frightened. They cannot believe their eyes and they think they are seeing a ghost.

Honestly, this would probably be the reaction of most of us today too! Imagine seeing a human like figure walking toward you in the middle of the sea. It is a natural response. Jesus senses their fear and tries to calm them.

“It is I” he says, more literally it reads “I am”, which is an Old Testament name of God. Of course, Peter responds, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

The account of Peter walking on water is only found in the Gospel of Matthew and speaks of his faith and his failing. Peter often gets a reputation of failing and lack of faith. But we need to give him credit. Peter was the only one of the 12 who had enough faith to step out of the boat! The other 11 were still clinging to their seats, hanging on for dear life.

When Peter realizes that he is walking on water, he becomes a little distracted and starts to sink. Crying out to his Master he says, “Lord, save me.” Jesus stretches out his hand and pulls him into the boat.

The disciples marvel at this and say, “truly you are the Son of God.” Suddenly, they are at the shore and the lesson is over for now.

What can we get out of these lessons today. Obviously there are many things we can learn from this story, such as the need for individual prayer or the sovereign power of God at work in our life and in the world..

But I want to focus on something different. As I said at the beginning there were four miracles in this story. Jesus walking on water, Peter walking on water, calming the storm, and immediately being transported to their destination.

Many “scholars” have tried to minimize or explain away these miracles of Christ. With the feeding of the 5,000 they say the crowd really did have their own food. They just didn’t want to admit it until they say the generosity of the little boy.

Of the walking on water and the immediate transport to their destination, they say that the disciples were almost there and Christ was walking in a shallow part of the sea or maybe there was a coral reef or ridge or something in the water that He was able to walk on.

Nonsense, is what I say to them. Their hearts have been hardened and cannot perceive the power of God through Christ.

The disciples too had a hard time believing in everything they saw and experienced. Even though they confessed that Jesus was the Son of God, they had at times trouble believing and understanding it.

Maybe they couldn’t figure out why God would choose them to be His followers and workers. It seemed to good to be true and human nature says that if it is too good to be true than it probably is! Maybe, like the crowd, they didn’t understand the real purpose for Jesus’ coming to earth.

The disciples were unable to comprehend the miracles of Christ and realize that He was their working in their lives. How about you?

We believe in these miracles and these stories of the life of Christ, but do you believe He is working in your life today as well?

The bible has so many wonderful truths in it, but do you apply those truths to your life? Do you live as though you believe the bible? Do you live trusting that Jesus has His arm out ready to save you?

If not, like Peter, say, “Lord, Save me.” And He will. Read His word, study his word, live his word. Cling to Him and He will not let you go.


Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us your Word that has been so well preserved over these many years. Strengthen us to continue on in the faith as our fore-fathers have. Purify our minds and cleanse our hearts as we prepare to communion with you and with each other this morning. AMEN.