They were frightened, thinking that they were seeing a spirit, but when Jesus told them not to be afraid, they were reassured. Jesus walks on Water. Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21 all record an eyewitness testimony of this miracle. Then he jumped into the water. After seminary, I came to disdain such interpretations, thinking that they had missed the true meaning of the text. Miracles, signs, and wonders are simply not believable. !) Growing up, every sermon I heard about Jesus walking on water focused on Gods ability to calm the storms in our lives. Do not be alarmed. So many of us are apprehensive about even getting out of the boat!Jesus, please hurry up and come aboard the boat with us, in our secure little corner!So many of us Christians want him to do just that!No, instead, come out on the sea with me, He says.Im not going to let you drown. This is exactly what we need to do! They grumbled against the Lord (John 6:41, 61), just as Israel had (Num. Yes, he walked on water, stilled the wind, healed and restored. These passages shed light on the meaning of Johns vision that the sea was no more in Gods new creation (Rev. Merrill Tenney states that the incident is in essence centered on that aspect, rather than their peril or the miracle itself. 9 Although I can see him as he passes me, I am unable to recognize him when he passes me. It says it ceased. For those who are familiar with the Old Testament, John 6 may appear to be a recreation of the exodus account, in which the Passover is a significant element, as it does to those who are not.In the first place, we have the proliferation of signs and wonders, similar to what happened in Egypt (cf.Ex. Jesus is saying I AM. This is the Apostolic witness, the testimony to Jesus as Lord: John 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Furthermore, John tells us that not only is the dark, chaotic sea the origin of Gods enemies, but it is also symbolic of their end (Rev. 16:4). A tremendous fortress is our God / a bulwark that never fails, / Our helper He amid the flood / of deadly miseries that prevail (Martin Luthers A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, a hymn to Gods steadfastness). However, like with the last lake-miracle (Matthew 8:23-27), the disciples are in a precarious situation and are afraid when they see Jesus approaching them. Storms, on the other hand, might rage for days on end with no sign of abating. Copy. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. All intellectual property rights are retained. / In every high and stormy gale / My anchor holds within the veil. Therefore, in John 6, Jesus is revealed as the One who brings about the new exodus, that is, the true liberation of Gods people from slavery to sin, the inevitability of death, and the just judgment of God. 18 And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew. Thus the reasons for the lack of recognition. if you wish. Have you ever paused to consider and giggle at the miracle account of Jesus walking on water?Im sure you have.What exactly was the point of that?The fact that he cured people, drove out devils, and fed the hungry is understandable; these are all commendable and logical things for a good teacher and miracle worker to accomplish.The walking on water, though, was a mystery to me.Was it some sort of prank? [22], Finally, there are scholars who regard the story as an example of "creative symbolism", or myth,[23] which probably was understood by a part of the audience literally and by others allegorically. Is this a foreshadowing of Jesus agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-42). with he walked on the SEA, and went into a learned discourse about When Jesus glanced out across the lake, he noticed that it was extremely windy, as if a storm had swept in. 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away. "Jesus Walks on Water Bible Story Study Guide." But why? Your article here appears to argue a both/and position. "What is scary, and I can't say for sure if this is connected or if it's just a . Recognizing the Lords presence: Despite the fact that they had been with Jesus for a long time, the disciples did not recognize him as he approached them in the midst of the storm. Peter replied, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water," and Jesus invited Peter to do exactly that. To show His disciples that the very thing they feared, the raging, seething sea, was merely a set of steps for Him to come to them. Once on the boat, they were delighted to have him aboard, and the boat arrived at their destination almost instantly (John 6:14-21).The feeding of the five thousand was a sign, according to John, and he recognized it.He also took notice of what the people had to say about it and how Jesus replied to their comments, which he recorded. Jesus caught him, and commenting on his lack of faith led him back to the ship, whereupon the storm stopped. It is I. Jesus then sends them across the sea and reveals Himself as the sovereign. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.. He is showing to his followers that he is the God of the universe. The narrative serves as a reminder to Christians that when the Lord appears to them in the midst of their own personal troubles, they may not recognize him. And we know that He can do this, because Christ tells us who He is. In him and by him everything was created. Jesus walking on the water, or on the sea, is depicted as one of the miracles of Jesus recounted in the New Testament. Not for convenience but as part of his mission. Christ ascended 40 days after His resurrection. There are also others who not only reject this miracle, but also reject the reality that this miracle exposes as well.Who could believe that Jesus story of walking on water was a fairy tale after hearing the Nicene Creed read aloud at Mass, affirming that he is God from God, Light from Light, Very God of Very God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father by whom all things were made, and then claim that it was just a fairy tale?Modernism.I despise it with a ferocious zeal. Mary had an extremely close relationship with Jesus, walking with Him, even through the trenches. Matthews narrative goes into greater detail about the scenario than the other two accounts.They had all finished their meals and were satisfied, and the disciples collected twelve baskets full of broken bits that had been left behind.In addition to women and children, there were around 5,000 males who participated in the meal. Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? Then they witnessed Jesus walking toward them across the surface of the water, and their fear turned to terror because they believed they were seeing a ghost. It is common in parts of our society to dismiss the power of God, to reduce theism (belief in a personal interactive God) to deism (belief in a God who got everything started). Identification of miracles of timing is well nigh impossible with the passage of time. 2023 Proven Way It is true that the disciples were scared because their hearts had been hardened as a result of their failure to comprehend the loaves. You can read more of what she writes on the Ever Sing blog atstephaniemenglehart.com or follow her on Instagram: @stephaniemenglehart. 17:17; John 2:112). Peter exposes mans inability to command the natural elements of the world, while Jesus shows Himself victorious over fear, death, and the created world. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? It appears that they are traveling against the wind and are being pummeled by the wave. Usually, the word battered () refers to harassment and torture (e.g., Mark 6:48 in the ESV, they were making progress painfull), but in this case, it refers to punishment.This is the traditional meaning of the word, which conveys the idea of being forced to read the material (typically via suffering, BrillD).The disciples knowledge of who Jesu is may have been tested throughout this hard night of rowing against the wind.Since they end up at Gennesa, this is the case.The distance between Tagbha and Tel Kinneret is approximately 14 miles (23 kilometers) south, at the southern tip of the l ake. So, even in the midst of the storm, Jesus is still present, reminding us of what He has done, supporting us to face the challenges ahead, and urging us not to lose sight of the fact that our most difficult issues have already been resolved. On the way to smashup, or redemptiondepending on how you read the bookHazel's path crosses that . 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. According to the lesson, when Christians take their eyes off of Jesus and concentrate on their challenging circumstances, they begin to crumble under the weight of their issues and eventually perish. 2 Cor. In order to demonstrate to his disciples that he is more than a miraculous worker or charismatic leader, k on water? 14:22 And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away. Walking on the water The earliest description we have of this event is found in Mark's Gospel. That verse doesnt predict Gods vengeance against beachfront property; rather, its His promise that everything the sea symbolizes in Scripturesin, death, and judgmentwill be done away with when Christ makes all things new (Rev. John's Gospel specifies that they were five or six kilometers away from their departure point. This is all the more remarkable given that Johns account is the shortest by far (86 words in Greek compared with 139 in Mark and 186 in Matthew). This incident serves as a reminder to believers that a temporary loss of faith is only that: a temporary loss of faith. What were the miracles of Jesus? The issue came up in the comment stream on other later posts as well. Although I have often interacted here with posts on other blogs, I have not generally paid a great deal of attention to the comments on those other blogs. Then sends them across the sea and reveals Himself as the sovereign water, stilled wind! Six kilometers away from their departure point Always Saved ' a foreshadowing of Jesus agony in Garden. 9 Although I can see him as he passes me recognize him when he passes me calm. These passages shed light on the water the earliest description we have of this event is in! 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