The Miracles of Jesus Lesson 18: Jesus Walks on Water Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21

The Sea of Galilee The Sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake with a length from north to south of 13 miles, a maximum width of 8 miles. The lake lies 686 feet below sea level, but it is surrounded by steep cliffs and hills, creating strong swirling wind.

The Sea of Galilee Note that the large waves breaking on the shore in the picture below occurred under a clear sky at sunset.

Jesus Walks on Water Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21 Background to the Miracle Jesus had just fed the 5,000, and the multitude would have made Him King (cf. John 1:49; 18:37) Jesus sent the multitudes away; He sent the disciples across the sea in a boat Jesus went to a mountain to pray (Lk. 6:12; 9:18, 11:1) The disciples rowed 3 or 4 miles against a strong headwind.

Jesus Walks on Water Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21 Details of the miracle: In the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, “walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.” The disciples feared that Jesus was a ghost. Jesus responded, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Jesus commanded him to come, and he began to walk on the sea.

Jesus Walks on Water Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Jesus Walks on Water Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21 Response to the miracle: Those who were in the boat were “greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled” and they “came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.’”

Jesus Walks on Water Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21 Lessons for us: Premillennialism misunderstands the nature of the Kingdom. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. Jesus prayed without ceasing; so should we. (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Colossians 4:2) In nearly passing by His disciples as they strained at rowing, Jesus shows us how much greater His divine power is than our feeble human efforts. Peter was not only rescued from the water, but from his pride & presumption and from his fear and doubt.

J.C. Ryle wrote… With the Lord Jesus Christ nothing is impossible. No stormy passions are so strong; He can tame them. No temper is so rough and violent; He can change it. No conscience is so disturbed; He can speak peace to it and make it calm. No person ever need despair, if they will only bow down their pride, and come as a humbled sinner to Christ… Christ will carry them through every danger. Christ will make them conqueror over every foe. What if our relatives oppose us? What if our neighbors laugh us to scorn? What if our place be hard? What if our temptations be great? It is all nothing, if Christ is on our side, and we are in the ship with Him. Greater is He that is for us, than all those who are against us.