With Jesus on the Water

Main Idea: When the storms of life are raging, Jesus is nearer than we think.

Life Application: Whenever we are in the storms of life, Jesus will rescue us when we cry for help.

INTRODUCTION

During our study in John last week, we saw Jesus miraculously feed thousands with five loaves and two fish. After this, the crowd desired to announce Jesus as their king and declare independence from the Roman authorities. However, Jesus was not interested in acquiring political power since his purpose for coming to earth was to secure spiritual redemption and restoration. Jesus knew this could only happen as he embraced the way of the cross. Thus, Jesus fled to the mountain to pray after he hurriedly sent his disciples away and dismissed the rest of the crowd.

Although we who follow Jesus profess to have faith in him, we remain human and subject to times of doubt and discouragement. As we look around us, we may think we are the only ones who go through dark times when despair and doubt rear their ugly heads. Everyone else seems to have it together, but we cannot even pray a decent prayer. The heavens seem made of brass, and our prayers appear to stop short of our eyelids. We often find ourselves engulfed in the storms of life where we feel alone.

As humans, we continually struggle between faith and fear. (Ortberg). During the inevitable storms of life, I must ask myself, do I trust my pilot? Is His track record dependable? However, we tend to take our eyes off the pilot when struggling to stay afloat. Saints are not folks who never falter, but they are people who remember to call out to Jesus during times of trouble. When He picks them out of the waves, they walk in faith even though the storm continues to rage.

SCRIPTURE: Jn. 6:16-18; Mt. 14:25-33 (NIV)

Transition Statement: Even when the future appears uncertain, we must walk in obedience to God’s instructions.

· Jesus directs into a storm. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side.

When we read this passage, we sense an urgency in Jesus as he directed his disciples to leave the vicinity. Perhaps, Jesus knew their desire for freedom from Rome and a restored earthly kingdom for Israel. Even after the Resurrection, these disciples still did not entirely grasp the reality of the heavenly kingdom. Before Jesus ascended back to His Father, they asked, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6). Since most of the crowd had political aspirations for Jesus, he dared not allow his disciples to fall under its influence. During his temptation in the desert, Jesus had resisted the offer of Satan to assume earthly power while bypassing the cross. After dispersing the crowd, Jesus retreated to a place of prayer. Perhaps, he was tempted to circumvent the agony of Calvary and needed time to reaffirm his mission. During times of temptation, we should pray and not faint nor cave to the pressures of the moment.

If we obey God and follow his directions, adversity will still find us. Contrary to prevalent teachings, following Jesus does not guarantee a tranquil pathway from earth to glory. We will have to navigate stormy seas on the journey of life. When the storms of life descend, we might wonder if we have acted in disobedience. While a disobedient heart does invite trouble, we must understand God never promises us sunny skies and glassy seas. What He does promise is His divine presence. Jesus stated, In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (Jn. 16:33).

· Jesus appears during the storm. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the water.

The fourth watch would be between three and six in the morning. Thus, the disciples had been rowing for a long time and had only gained a few miles. The winds from the Golan Heights were fiercely blowing against them. To be caught in a storm during the night would be frightening for the hardiest fisherman. We might wonder why Jesus tarried before coming to the aid of his disciples. Did he not care they were frightened and out of energy as they pulled on the oars? Often, we must reach our extremity before we find God! Jesus knew these disciples were the men who would lead the church as its apostles. By letting them attain their limit of endurance, Jesus was making spiritual warriors out of untested children. God allows the storm to overtake us because He wants us to grow in grace and become mature in our faith. God does not need greenhouse believers but tested and tried saints who will keep pressing forward no matter the circumstances.

Although we often criticize Peter for losing focus on Jesus, never forget he was the only one who dared climb over the side of the boat. While we wonder why his faith faltered, nobody else ventured to leave the relative safety of their vessel. Eleven other guys remained frozen in their fear. But Peter believed he could get to Jesus because he heard him say, “Come.” Whenever we take a scary step of faith, it is human nature to question our decision. When our boat is out of reach, there is no return. While we do not know how far Peter made it, it was far enough for him to realize his perilous predicament. He needed help and needed it now! Jesus does not delay when he hears a desperate cry for help.

· Jesus recues from the fear of the storm. And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

With the restoration of faith, fear of the storm ceases to dominate. As Jesus and Peter walked to the boat, the wind was still howling, and the waves were crashing. Yet, that mattered little; Jesus was present! After they climbed into the vessel, the wind ceased to blow, proving Jesus to be the Lord over all creation. Although the disciples had seen marvelous miracles of healing, turning water into wine, and thousands fed, to see the winds subjected to Jesus proved His deity—Truly you are the Son of God. There was no other explanation!

How can we know what is our boat? What do you fear? “Fear will tell you what your boat is. Leaving it may be the hardest thing you ever do.” (Ortberg). How we react to the storms in life is determined by what we feed our minds. If we fill our minds with negative news or focus on our failures, we will continue in our mess. Jesus wants to help us, not condemn us. He offers us his hand if we call on Him as our Lord. What could God do through us if we were willing to get out of our comfort zone, to leave our boat? While fear wants to dominate us, Jesus wants us to live a victorious life no matter our vocation or calling. He is still calling, Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.

Transition Statement: When we are in the storm, Jesus is nearer than we think and will rescue us.

CONCLUSION

When we realize we are in the presence of God, our only logical response is confession and worship. To know God in a general sense does not put many demands on us. If we know Jesus, we acknowledge His divine authority. Genuine worship is more than music, singing, or feeling uplifted. Worship calls us to honest confession. To worship Jesus as God transforms us as we move from doubt to trust.

While courage is necessary to get out of our boat and go to Jesus, we must act with wisdom and discernment. Peter did not move towards Jesus until he heard Jesus tell him to come. Jesus does not need extreme actors but extreme disciples. (Ortberg). When you are in the storm and feel alone, Jesus is walking in your direction and is calling you to come to Him. God made us for something more than merely avoiding failure (Ortberg). God has a place for you in his kingdom that no one else can fill. God calls us today to live in faith rather than fear. Although failures disillusion and disappoint, Jesus never fails! No matter the wind or waves in life, He remains the Son of God, Lord of all creation. Although the tempest may be raging, Jesus is heading our direction. Friends, let us move towards Jesus even if we must get out of our boat!

Song: Master, the Tempest is Raging

PRAYER

Lord God, we acknowledge we sometimes lose heart when we are in the storm. Thank you for appearing when the storms are raging Help us to know you never leave nor forsake us and to come to you when we are afraid. Enable us to live in faith rather than fear and to worship You with consecrated hearts. Lord, we do not want to live mediocre lives. We want to be extreme in our devotion. Give us courage as we move towards you during the storms of life when it would be easier to draw back. We love you, Lord Jesus, and worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen!

BENEDICTION

May the strength of the Lord sustain you, the power of God protect you, and the grace of the Lord preserve you throughout the coming week.