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.
We talked yesterday about how Jesus did not come to to rescue us physically, but to rescue us spiritually. He did not come to deliver us from present suffering so much as He came to deliver us from the wrath to come. Not an easy life now, but eternal life from the moment you believe until forever.
And when the people couldn't see that, and wanted to make Him into an earthly king, He left them and withdrew to a mountain.
And then this miracle where Jesus walks on water is imbedded into the miracle of feeding the five thousand. And "the people", as far as we know, never knew about this miracle. The disciples did and we do. So, what is the point of the miracle and it's placement here?
John Piper says (emphasis mine).....
So here is a picture of the disciples in the dark, in a storm, bereft of Jesus—right after a miracle whose point was: I am the bread from heaven, and if you feed on me, you will live forever (6:50).
But now their life is imperiled, not by hunger, but by wind. Verse 18: “The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.” This time he doesn’t give them twelve baskets of miracle bread. He gives them the miracle of his presence when they thought there is no way he could be here....
And the reason I think the focus is on Jesus’ presence—his personal presence—is that John makes no comment about the stilling of the storm. It’s not the point....
What John says is not: O look he has authority over wind and waves, what an all-providing king he would make! That’s true. He would, and he is. But what John says is: Jesus himself came to them. He identified himself, “It is I.” And they were glad—they desired—to take him into the boat. And with that, the story within the story is immediately over. They are at their desired haven.
The point has been made. It’s been made twice. I did a miracle for you on the land, and gave each of you a basket of bread. I showed you that I will be your personal bread—each one of you. If you have an overwhelming ministry in front of you—to feed 5 thousand—and you feel totally inadequate, not only will I give you resources to feed them, I will be there for you when it is all over. I will not just give you bread; I will be your bread.
And now I have done another miracle for you. I have shown you that in the dark, in the storm, I will let nothing separate me from you. I will walk on water to be with you. And when you take me into your boat with joy, we will arrive at our desired haven.
So whether the story is about being rescued from hunger by making bread, or being rescued from wind by walking on water, the point is: I don’t just give bread; I am bread. I don’t just make the wind stop; I get into the boat.
Our God is a very personal God. He wants to satisfy us completely - He wants to satisfy you, personally, completely. He wants a relationship with you. He wants to be with you - in the good times and the bad times. When you are joyful and when you are in despair. Because the only thing that can make your joy even greater is His presence. And the only thing that can carry through the despair is His presence.
Will you let Him get into the boat with you?
1 comment:
I thought yesterday, as we drove to and from our Easter family gathering and as we passed quite a few houses with a large number of vehicles parked outside, that we really are created for relationships. With each other, definitely, but with God even more so.
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