The boat was only about 100 meters from shore. According to Matthew chapter 27 verse 27, Jesus instructed them, Take a deep breath and go for it!It is, in fact, I.Dont be intimidated. (NIV) Peter said, Lord, if its you, tell me to come to you on the sea, and Jesus encouraged Peter to do just that, which Peter gladly accepted.While walking on the sea, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and saw only the wind and waves, which caused him to begin to sink. When he had said his goodbyes to them, he climbed up on top of the mountain and prayed.And by the time dusk arrived, the boat was out at sea, leaving him alone on the shore.And he noticed that they were making terrible progress since the wind was working against them.And he arrived to them at the fourth watch of the night, strolling on the sea. It wasn't identified exactly in The Bible the year on which JESUS walk on the water but we can say it was perhaps year 33 as JESUS walkes on the water after His resurrection from. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. After being invited by Jesus to come, Peter got out of his boat and for a brief few moments walked on water (Matthew 14:28-33). A similar statement is made by Daniel in Daniel 7:3, and John, who wrote Revelation, states that the chaos of the sea is where Gods adversaries come from as well (Revelation 19:11). Jonah is judged by a storm that is stopped only when he is cast into the sea (Jonah 1:916). Fairchild, Mary. 11:22), who believes that God would not be able to give enough food, just as Philip informs Jesus that two hundred denarii of bread would not be enough (John 6:7).Its also worth noting that Moses reservations about Gods capacity to give meat followed the miraculous gift of manna (Numbers 11:79).Despite this, Philips reservations regarding Jesus capacity to feed five thousand people arise following Christs miraculous provision of wine for a wedding feast (John 2:111) in the Gospel of John. He wasnt being pulled on skis by a boat. 48 And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them: 49 but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. Did Jesus walk on water? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 17:1-7; John 2:1-12). Stand firm and see the Lords salvation that he will accomplish for you today (Ex. Miracles, signs, and wonders are simply not believable. It was his way of saying, Dont be frightened. Do not be afraid! Furthermore, John mentions the sea four more times in the same chapter, both before and after the crossing of the Sea of Galilee (John 6:1, 22, 25). Because Jesus desired the people who were following Him about to think that He was the Son of God, he went to such far as to kill himself.The only way to do this was by the performance of divine trickery, sometimes known as miracles.Because of this, He performed every miraclein order for us to realize He was real!He would have been easily dismissed as one of the most insane guys who ever lived if it werent for the miracles He performed.It is His ability to do miracles that distinguishes Him as God in the flesh!His miracles were so impressive that He even warned the legalistic Jews who were attempting to stone Him, If you dont accept what Im saying, at the very least believe me based on my miracles (see John 10:31-39). One reason Jesus stayed on earth for 40 days after His resurrection instead of ascending immediately into heaven was to demonstrate to His followers that He truly was alive. of squirmy when such episodes are brought up. They may intellectually begin to understand that He is the prophesied messiah, but they do not yet know that Jesus will lay aside His divine power in order to die on their behalf (Matthew 27:32-56). [7], In all three accounts, after Jesus got into the ship, the wind ceased and they reached the shore. [19], Catholic scholar John P. Meier believes that the miraculous walk on water is a purely theological narrative, without historical foundation. He was Messiah. 24 But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary. Rev. They were completely taken aback (NLT), The Bible says in Matthew 14:2931 that Jesus said, Yes, come. As a result, Peter climbed over the side of the boat and began walking across the sea toward Jesus. I wont be offended by any reasoned answer, but you can plead the 5th 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.. & The Ministry and Life of Christ. Jonah is judged by a storm, which is only halted when he is flung into the sea (Jonah 1:916), and he is punished. He produces wonders that cannot be comprehended. There are accounts of this event in three Gospels Matthew, Mark, and John but it is not included in the Gospel of Luke. Mary accompanied Jesus during His ministry in Galilee before seeing His crucifixion, burial and . Only John's account has their ship immediately reach the shore. In view of all this, it seems that John wants the reader to see the crossing of the Sea of Galilee as a symbolic fulfillment of the crossing of the Red Sea in the exodus/Passover narrative. Then we have the institution of the Passover in Exodus 12 and the allusion to the same in John 6:4. Because the Bible only mentions 5,000 males, and not women or children, I believe there are more than 5,000. / In every high and stormy gale / My anchor holds within the veil. This blog is no longer being updated. Mark C15 V37, "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.". In other words, Christ can and sometimes does stop our trials as instantly as He carried His disciples off the sea (John 6:21). The episode occurs shortly after another miracle, the feeding of the 5,000.This event convinced the 12 disciples that Jesus is indeed the living Son of God.Thus, the story is extremely significant to Christians and the basis for several important life lessons that govern . When we consider the signs and wonders in recorded in scripture sometimes a natural explanation is found and the wonder is in the timing not physical cause, but on other occasions no natural cause is present. 15:19). 14:13).2 The implication is clear: we have nothing to fear so long as God is with us, and He is with us in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Lord is still there for believers when they call out to him. Night fell and the sea arose as the ship became caught in a wind storm. One of our friends heard the splash and very quickly dove in after her. God also sends sin to the sea, as Micah (7:1819) explains, where it will be judged by the Lord, pardoned, and forgotten for all time. 2023 Proven Way
Matthew also notes that the disciples called Jesus the Son of God. In Mark and John, however, the reference to the apostle Peter walking on water is not included. As he began to descend, his last words were, Lord, save me. O you of little faith, why did you doubt? Jesus said as he put out his hand and grabbed him by the shoulders.And as soon as they got onto the boat, the wind stopped blowing.And they in the boat prostrated themselves before him, proclaiming, Truly, you are the Son of God (Matthew 14:20-33).Following in the footsteps of Mark, Matthew describes Jesus instructions and the situation as though it were newsworthy.Matthew, on the other hand, is the only one that chronicles Peters reaction to the circumstance and their eventual affirmation of Jesus divinity. Jesus is the true source of our escape since He is the Passover Lamb (John 1:29) and the One who guides His people safely across hazardous rivers (John 6:1621), among other roles.And we know He is capable of doing so because Christ has shown Himself to us.During the most difficult time of their ordeal, when they were terrified by the fury of the sea and the apparent certainty of death, the disciples overheard Jesus declare, It is I; do not be terrified (John 6:20).Do not be scared, Moses instructed the Israelites on the eve of the Red Sea crossing: Do not be terrified. Remain steady and watch for the Lords redemption, which he will bring about for you today (Ex.14:13).2 This implies that we have nothing to be afraid of as long as God is with us, as He is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus said one word, "Come," and Peter took a step out of the boat without sinking (verse 29). She lives with her husband in Michigan, close to her adult children and grandkids.For additional information or to get in touch with Danielle, please visit her website. Doug Ponder is pastor of teaching and discipleship at Remnant Church in Richmond, Va., and a content editor for the International Mission Board. 16 And when evening came, his disciples went down unto the sea; 17 and they entered into a boat, and were going over the sea unto Capernaum. Part of the significance of Him not drinking the 4th cup is that we (the faithful) now drink the 4th cup each time we receive communion and drink the precious blood. [24], Adela Yarbro Collins concludes that the text characterizes Jesus as Messiah and king of Israel endowed with divine properties. 33:45).And, while He rejects their promise of kingship without the crucifixion (cf.Matt.4:89; Luke 4:57), Jesus does not deny the relationship to Moses that they have made with Him.As a matter of fact, He builds on the comparison by mounting a mountain by himself (John 6:15), just as Moses had done before Him (Ex.19:13). A: In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus met the two women as they walked, but only met the disciples at a mountain in Galilee and from there sent them forth to teach all nations. 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. An further allusion to the chapter from Job. 18 And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew. [26] In the Hebrew Bible, God gives power over the sea, e.g. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray. Jesus could have just fed the 5,000, but instead, He supplied more than they needed by providing one basket of leftover food for each disciple. Merrill Tenney states that the incident is in essence centered on that aspect, rather than their peril or the miracle itself. During his miracle of walking on water in Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus provides an answer to the question posed in the Nazareth synagogue, Where did Jesus acquire his authority to teach and perform miracles? Following up on his revelation that he was a provider of food in the desert in the account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14), Jesus shows himself in this story to be the one who walks on water as if it were dry land.Each of Jesus miracles makes use of biblical imagery to proclaim that he is Gods Son, and the only appropriate response is to worship him in that capacity.Following the miraculous feeding miracle, Jesus departs the crowds on the opposite side of the lake after pressing his followers to do so on their own (Matt 14:22-23).I should say that he compelled them to cross the lake in a boat rather than forcing them to do it on their own.The word (v) has a forceful connotation (Judaizers compel Gentiles to be circumcised), but most commentators interpret it as aggressively encouraging the disciples to begin crossing the segregated segregation line.1. Lord, please save me! he shouted aloud. But then the strong wind took his focus off of Christ. This is a straightforward statement.All of this is reinforced by the fact that the sea is frequently used as a metaphor for sin, death, and judgment in the Bible, as well.It is initially associated with the concepts of darkness and chaos (Gen.1:2).During the days of Noah, the sea served as Gods lethal tool of wrath against mankind (Gen.6:17).As a result, later on, when Israel attempted to flee Egypt, they were stranded by the sea (please grasp this) until God provided a way for them to safely travel over it on dry ground (Ex. / In every high and stormy gale, /My anchor holds within the veil. Not for convenience but as part of his mission. Peter exposes mans inability to command the natural elements of the world, while Jesus shows Himself victorious over fear, death, and the created world. 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. 17:17; John 2:112). "Jesus Walks on Water Bible Story Study Guide." Im not sure, but Ill question Him about it one of these days.Because of the massive storm that is occurring all around them, as well as Jesus presence on the lakeshore, Peter responds, If its you, order me to come out on the sea (Matthew 14:28).As a result, Jesus accomplishes just that!Just think about it! Is the narrative based on true events?When we read the gospels, the raw truth of the stories is what hits us the most.These are not imaginative fictions, but rather eyewitness testimonies from the time of the events.A further point to consider is that the more ridiculous the narrative, the more probable it is that it is a true account of genuine events, rather than an invention.While its understandable if someone is writing fantasy fiction, we shouldnt be surprised if bizarre events occur. Jesus says, It is I; do not be afraid. In other words, Jesus is still with us in the storm, reminding us of what Hes done, strengthening us for the trials we face, and encouraging us not to forget that our biggest problems have already been solved. Got Questions Ministries is a trademark of Got Questions Ministries, Inc., registered in the state of California in the year 2002. And promising a coming of, and baptizing with, the Holy Spirit ( Acts 1:5, 8 ), Jesus ascended to heaven . Several hours later in the night, the disciples encountered a storm that frightened them. And this is his clue to the meaning of all that follows. Right after Jesus calmed the disciples fear by telling them, " it is I " "Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.". But it was the revelation of Jesus walking on the water that, more than any other, convinced Jesus' disciples . More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Note, too, that Moses doubts regarding Gods ability to provide meat came after the miraculous provision of manna (Numb. Belief in Jesus develops us into disciples who proclaim and glorify His name. Jesus committed no sin, either before orduring His suffering (cf. I am the One who forms the wind and waves, who rules and reigns over every living thing. Jesus is seeking to assure His disciples in their fear, but He is primarily proclaiming and confirming the nature of who He is. Because they were afraid, they screamed when they realized he was walking on the water and assumed he must be a ghost.He had intended to pass by them, but they mistook him for a ghost and screamed when they realized he was on the sea.However, he instantly addressed them and stated, Take heart; it is I. As Christians we believe that Jesus was born with a mission and a purpose as the very embodiment of Israels God, our God. When they came to Capernaum and asked Jesus how he came there, instead of answering the question, he told the crowd that they followed him, not because they had seen signs, but because of the free loaves they had eaten the day before, and he advised them not to seek earthly gains, but aim for a life based on higher spiritual values.[1][8]. Derrett, 1981). But as a matter of fact, Jesus is the One who can calm the storms of our lives precisely because He is the One who liberates us from sin, death, and hell. 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