Looking for Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
If you were with us last Sunday, you may remember that we saw Jesus feed five thousand men, and that number didn’t include women and children. The number of those actually fed could have exceeded ten to fifteen thousand people. And Jesus did it all with five dinner rolls and two small sardine sized fish.
We left off with John 6:16-17.
When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,
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.
The Disciples’ Response
The Disciples’ Response
John has the disciples there on the grassy hillside (cf. v. 10) by themselves (v. 16a).
So they went down to the lake (v. 16b).
They got into the boat (v. 17a).
And they headed (in the boat) to Capernaum (v. 17b)
By now it is getting dark, and they have no idea where Jesus went (v. 17c). Throughout the gospel of John, he often uses darkness as a symbol that suggests that their situation is bad (cf. 3:2; 13:30).
NOTE: Matthew and Mark both say that Jesus did two things.
He put the disciples into the boat and sent them off.
He dismissed the crowd of people. Then He went up on the hillside to pray.
John’s version, emphasized the attitude of the people toward the miracles that Jesus has been working. Their attitude was that they “FORCE” Him to be their king!
John’s version, also emphasizes the response of the disciples--they are without Jesus, and that in and of itself is a cause for concern.
A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
The First Problem
The First Problem
As they sail across the Sea of Galilee, a strong wind was blowing (v. 18a).
This strong wind made the waters rough (v. 18b).
The Second Problem
The Second Problem
When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.
Working hard (because of the rough water) they struggled to make it three or four miles off shore (v. 19a).
That’s when they saw Jesus coming toward the boat (v. 19b).
And Jesus was walking on the water (v. 19c).
This frightened (Gk. frightened, to be afraid, to be terrified) the disciples.
NOTE: Matthew and Mark both tell us that the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost.
But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
Jesus Calms the Disciples
Jesus Calms the Disciples
Jesus knows their fear! So He calls out to them (v. 20a).
He tells them two things (v. 20b):
First, Jesus says, “Guys, it’s me!”
Secondly, He tells them not to be afraid!
Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Hearing Jesus speak, the disciples let Jesus get into the boat (v. 21a).
I love this next part. They let Jesus in the boat and IMMEDIATELY the boat reached the shore where they were heading (v. 21b).
NOTE: Think about that, after working and struggling because of the rough water,
When Jesus gets in the boat:
IMMEDIATELY their straining and struggling stops!
IMMEDIATELY their fear is gone!
IMMEDIATELY they arrive where they were trying to go!
When we have Jesus in our boat—our life—He preforms the same kinds of miracles for us:
There is no need for us to struggle through life!
There is no need to live in fear!
And we will end up where Jesus wants us to go!
When you come to verse 22, there is another time marker.
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.
The People
The People
The next day, the crowd that had spent the night there where Jesus had fed them, they realized that only one boat had left there (v. 22a).
And they knew that Jesus had not gotten into the boat with His disciples (v. 22b).
They figured out that His disciples had left without Jesus (v. 22c).
But they did not see Jesus anywhere!
Other Boats
Other Boats
Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
At this point, some boats from Tiberias landed near the place that Jesus had fed them (v. 23). Tiberias was a city located on the southwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was built during Jesus’ lifetime and named after the Emperor Tiberius.
The Crowd (again)
The Crowd (again)
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.
Once the crowd realized that both Jesus and His disciples were gone, they got into the boats (from Tiberias) and went to Capernaum (v. 24a).
They went to Capernaum in search of Jesus (v. 24b).
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
When the crowd finally found Jesus everyone was on the opposite side of the Sea of Galilee (v. 25a).
When they found Jesus, they asked Him when He had arrived on the other side of the lake (v. 25b).
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
Jesus’ Answer
Jesus’ Answer
Really, the only reason you are looking for Him is because they saw the signs that Jesus preformed (v. 26a).
And they were looking for Him because they had eaten and eaten their fill (v. 26b). The idea is that they wanted to be another free meal!
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Jesus tells them that they need to stop working for food that doesn’t spoils (v. 27a).
Instead they need to work (Gk. work, labor, accomplish) food that:
Endures (Gk. endures, remains resides) (v. 27b).
Moving the person towards eternal life (v. 27c).
This kind of food only comes from the Son of Man (Jesus) (v. 27d).
Jesus will give us eternal life (v. 27e).
KEY—God the Father has placed His seal of approval on Jesus (v. 27f).
So What?
So What?
Today, people have all kinds of reasons that they look for Jesus.
Some look for Jesus because they desperately want to prove that Jesus is a giant hoax.
Some look for Jesus because they are infatuate the miracles that He can (and does) do.
Some look for Jesus because they want to see what He “will” do next.
Some look for Jesus because they need a miracle from Him. They have an illness, or someone that they know someone—a friend, family member, someone that needs a miracle in their life.
Some look for Jesus because that is what they were taught to do. They were taught to go to church. Their parents imparted a set of values in them and they are trying to live up to those values.
Some look for Jesus to genuinely find out more about Him.
And some look for Jesus because they love Him and desire to have a deep personal relationship with Him.
The question today is why do you seek Jesus. You see, nothing less than the last reason will do. For any other reason will never do.
Living for Jesus means that we can experience peace in the midst of our storms, because we have the presence of Jesus with us, or should I say in us.
Remember what the disciples experienced when Jesus got in their boat.
Remember that their straining and struggle immediately stopped—and Jesus can stop your straining and struggling.
Remember that their fear was immediately removed—and Jesus can remove our fear today.
Remember Jesus was able to immediately get them to where He wanted them to go—and Jesus can get you where He wants you to go!
So I’ll ask you again why are you looking for Jesus this morning? My prayer and hope is that you are looking for Him because you want to have an amazing relationship with Him so that you will Love God and Love people!
