Jesus Walks on the Water
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 three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 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.
Jesus the Bread of Life
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, Rabbi, when did you get here?
26 Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
- I. Message:
Content:
1>（v16-19a）The disciples went down to the lake and set off across the lake for Capernaum in the evening. Suddenly, there was a strong wind and the water grew rough, it was extremely difficult for them to row the boat.
2>（19b-21）Jesus approached the disciples walking on the water and they took him into the boat. Immediately, the storm calmed down and they arrived safely at their destination.
3>（v22-25）The next day, the crowd went to Capernaum eagerly looking for Jesus because of the miracle of the five loaves of bread and two fish.
4>（v26-27）Jesus pointed out that their motive to follow him was wrong and he foretold that he would provide the food that would last to eternity.
5>（v
Themes:
1>Life is full of difficulties.
2>Live the life with Jesus on board.
3> We should labor for the food that will last to eternity.
II. Who is God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit?
1>（v19）Jesus Christ who walked on the water.
2>（v19）Jesus Christ who drew near and cared for the disciples.
3>（v20-21）Jesus Christ who bestowed peace on human beings.
4>（v27）Jesus Christ who gave the food that would last to eternity.
5>（v27）Jesus Christ who is the Son of Man.
6>（v29）Jesus Christ who is worthy of trust.
III. What does the passage teach us (about commands, promises, examples, exhortations and warnings)?
1>Life is full of difficulties.
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 three or three and a half miles. (v16-19a)
In the evening, after the miracle of the five loaves of bread and two fish, while Jesus was still praying on the mountain, the disciples decided to set sail for Capernaum. Suddenly, a strong wind blew and the water grew rough, it was very difficult for them to row the boat.
This situation portrays the realty of life. It is true that the chance of a smooth-sailed life is beyond our reach. It is inevitable that we encounter rough situations and big storms. Life does not shy away from bringing on these tough situations on us, such as those of marital, familial, professional, financial, health and children. No one is exempted from the buffets of life.
It was a rough situation for the disciples that night. Today, many are struggling in the storms of life, dealing with the rough ride on their own.
Reflection: How is my life? Have I ever experienced rough rides?
2> The help in time of need
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.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.
Jesus was not with them the night they set sail across the lake, yet he cared for them. He met them right in the midst of the storm. He comforted them when they were terrified. He said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Upon his word, the disciples willingly took him into the boat. It is obvious to us that Jesus was their help in time of need. He was help to them back then and he is the same to us today.
Reflection: How do I deal with the rough rides in my life? Do I think of Jesus?
3>The manifestation of Jesus’ divine attributes
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.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. (v19-21)
We know that Jesus is fully God and fully man. We can see from the miracles of feeding the five thousand, walking on the water and calming the storm that could not be done by a mere man. Thus, Jesus’ divine attributes were evidently manifested through these works.
Reflection: How well do I know Jesus? Have I ever encountered His divine attributes in my life?
4> Chasing after Jesus for their fill
After being miraculously fed by five loaves of bread and two fish, some from the crowd started looking for Jesus wherever possible. The next day, knowing that Jesus did not board the boat with his disciples the night before, so they went back to the place where they were fed to look for Jesus. Without any success, they went to Capernaum and found him there. They asked him, “When did you get here?” In other words, it was very hard for them to find him. Nonetheless, Jesus told them bluntly, “I tell you the truth that you look for me not because you witnessed the miracle nor because you have had a good understanding of it, the only reason is for your own fill.”
Reflection: Why do I follow Jesus? Is it for earthly materials, money, superficial needs or present circumstances? Or is it for my spiritual well being, significance, my calling or for eternity?
5>Two kinds of food and two types of people
According to what Jesus had said to the crowd who looked for him, we notice that there are two kinds of food in this world. One is physical and the other is spiritual. There are two types of people who follow Jesus. One‘s purpose is for physical needs and the other’s purpose is for eternal life.
Reflection: Do I pursue the balance of physical and spiritual food? Do I chase after the superficial, the materialistic or the temporary? Do I also chase after the futuristic, the spiritual and the eternal? What type of follower am I?
6>To believe in the one God has sent
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Jesus instructed them not to labor for the food that was perishable but for the food that would last eternally. After he pointed out that he himself was the provider of the eternal food, people asked him, “What must we do to do God’s work?” (That is to do God’s work or to do what is pleasing to Him.) Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” It means that the first thing God requires of man is to have faith; to believe in Jesus. Therefore, to believe in Jesus is more important than doing any other work. Everything you do will be useless if you do not believe in Jesus.
Reflection: Do I believe in the One sent by God, who died for my sin on the Cross, who resurrected after three days, now sits at the Father’s side and will come again?
Translated by 曾秀娟
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