Walking on Water

Jesus had demonstrated his power over the sea earlier. Yet his disciples hearts were still hard and faith small. Jesus not only demonstrates another miracle, he shows us that faith can do miracles in our lives as well.

Overview

Matt 14.22-33; Mark 6.45-52; John 6.16-21;

Jesus walks

Peter walks

They walk together

…..on the water

Bible Passage

Matthew 14:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Bible Passage

Matthew 14:25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

Bible Passage

Matthew 14:29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Bible Passage

Matthew 14:29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus walks on the water

Catching up with his disciples after a busy day, Jesus defies, gravity, the wind, waves and rapidly walks on the water heading towards the other shore.

His disciples are terrified thinking it is a ghost

He reassures them.

Location

John’s account mentioned they had rowed 3-4 miles before Jesus came. Mark indicates they went to Gennesaret though people were searching for them in Capernaum.

Starting point was near Bethsaida (where the feeding of the 5000 took place.

If Philip wasn’t so closed Jesus may have done the miracle through him.

Jesus walks on the water

Catching up with his disciples after a busy day, Jesus defies, gravity, the wind, waves and rapidly walks on the water heading towards the other shore.

His disciples are terrified thinking it is a ghost

He reassures them.

Jesus walks on the water

This miracle is only for the disciples

Not for the crowds.

Not just for the miracle but to show them the importance of faith

To grow their faith

Not to show them that he is superhuman

But that they can do miracles in Jesus’ name

They already had gone out in twos and experienced God’s power through their lives.

They were still learning …

Peter walks on the water

Peter is excited to see Jesus

He is excited to see Him walk on the water.

He wants to meet His master

Also probably have a taste of the water walking..

He knows the power of Christ’s word and ask Him to say it

Jesus says “Come”

A powerful command keeping the powers of nature at bay.

Discussion

In what ways has Jesus helped you do the impossible (walking on water)?

Waters of faith tested

Peter leaps

Peter walks on the water (his eyes on Jesus)

He starts sinking (his eyes on the turbulent waters)

Waters of faith tested

Many times we start a journey of faith

We’re excited to do great things for God.

But as the storms start brewing

.. Criticisms

…failures

…personal challenges and disappointments, etc.

…trauma, stress, death, etc.

Our faith flails and fails.

We start sinking

It is at these times that we need to keep our eyes on Jesus

Discussion

What are the situations that overwhelm us and make us sink?

How can we remain on the surface?

Jesus stretches out His hand

Does Peter realize it is the powerful hand of God reaching out to him?

The hand that heals millions

The hand that will rule the nations

The hand that will crush His enemies

The hand that holds us in our difficult times…

Jesus stretches out His hand

And says “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Peter feared the ocean

When the Lord of the ocean was before Him.

We often do the same

They walk together on the water

Master and disciple hand in hand

When storms overwhelm us, Jesus is walking with us

He is yoked to us

Always by our side

Peter’s fear would have vanished

Side by side with Jesus

Still surprised??

Mark 6:51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

The disciples too were still weak in their faith.

This is the second time He is demonstrating power over the seas.

And nth time He is demonstrating powerful miracles

More than any prophet has ever done before

Not to mention a perfect life.

They’re eyes were just opening. They worshipped Him as Son of God.

Still surprised??

Matt 14:32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Did they really believe it?

It would still take a lot of time and testing

But they were in the boat with Jesus.

Still surprised??

Why were the disciples hearts hardened?

In spite of miracles, power, authority?

Desire for greatness? Inability to acknowledge Jesus as Lord? Motives not completely true?

We don’t know.

We only know how easy it is for our hearts to get hardened.

To have less faith.

Are we keeping our eyes on Jesus despite stormy situations?

Still surprised??

Mark 6:51 Then he climbe

The winds died down as soon as Jesus entered.

Even inanimate objects change their behaviour when Jesus steps into the boat.

He says “I am with you always”

What more do we need?

Peace in Storm

The most turbulent situations in our life calm down in the presence of Jesus.

The Lord of the storm is also the Lord of peace

How have we experienced this calm?

Peace in Storm

When we demonstrate this peace in our storms, it encourages and lifts others up in their storms.

https://www.facebook.com/alberthomyak/videos/733979514677629

Ukrainian soldiers singing “when God’s spirit fills me up I sing like David” – March 2022

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