Jesus Walks on Water - Bible Story
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Jesus Walks on Water Bible Story
The miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 had just finished and Jesus wanted some time alone to pray so he told his disciples to get on a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus wanted some time alone to pray. During the journey a dangerous storm overtakes the boat the disciples are in and they begin to wonder where God was. Jesus comes walking to them on the water and the disciples become scared thinking Jesus is a ghost. Jesus calls to them saying "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."
Peter then questions Jesus saying if it really is Jesus, to call Peter to come to walk on the water to him. Jesus invites Peter to come to walk on the water with him. Peter climbs out of the boat and begins to walk on the water to Jesus. As soon as Peter gets scared of the wind and waves and takes his eyes off Jesus he beings to sink. Jesus reaches his hand down and grabs Peter. They climb back into the boat and the storm stops. The disciples immediately begin to worship Jesus and recognize that he truly is the Son of God.
Bible Commentary about Jesus Walking on Water (John 6)
"When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened." ~ John 6:19
The power Christ has over the laws and customs of nature, to control and dispense with them at his pleasure. It is natural for heavy bodies to sink in water, but Christ walked upon the water as upon dry land, which was more than Moses’s dividing the water and walking through the water. (2.) The concern Christ has for his disciples in distress: He drew nigh to the ship; for therefore he walked upon the water, as he rides upon the heavens, for the help of his people, Deu. 33:26. He will not leave them comfortless when they seem to be tossed with tempests and not comforted. When they are banished (as John) into remote places, or shut up (as Paul and Silas) in close places, he will find access to them and will be nigh them. (3.) The relief Christ gives to his disciples in their fears. They were afraid, more afraid of an apparition (for so they supposed him to be) than of the winds and waves. It is more terrible to wrestle with the rulers of the darkness of this world than with a tempestuous sea. When they thought a demon-haunted them, and perhaps was instrumental to raise the storm, they were more terrified than they had been while they saw nothing in it but what was natural. Note, [1.] Our real distresses are often much increased by our imaginary ones, the creatures of our own fancy. [2.] Even the approaches of comfort and deliverance are often so misconstrued as to become the occasions of fear and perplexity. We are often not only worse frightened than hurt, but then most frightened when we are ready to be helped. But, when they were in this fright, how affectionately did Christ silence their fears with that compassionate word.
"But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” ~ John 6:20
Nothing is more powerful to convince sinners than that word, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; nothing more powerful to comfort saints than this, "I am Jesus whom thou lovest; it is I that love thee, and seek thy good; be not afraid of me, nor of the storm.’’ When trouble is nigh Christ is nigh. Here is their speedy arrival at the port they were bound for, v. 17. (1.) They welcomed Christ into the ship; they willingly received him. Note, Christ’s absenting himself for a time is but so much the more to endear himself, at his return, to his disciples, who value his presence above anything; (2.) Christ brought them safely to the shore: Immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. Note, [1.] The ship of the church, in which the disciples of Christ have embarked themselves and their all, may be much shattered and distressed, yet it shall come safe to the harbor at last; tossed at sea, but not lost; cast down, but not destroyed; the bush burning, but not consumed.
The Church's Deliverance by Christ the King
The power and presence of the church’s King shall expedite and facilitate her deliverance, and conquer the difficulties which have baffled the skill and industry of all her other friends. The disciples had rowed hard, but could not make their point till they had got Christ in the ship, and then the work was done suddenly. If we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, have received him willingly, though the night be dark and the wind high, yet we may comfort ourselves with this, that we shall be at shore shortly, and are nearer to it than we think we are. Many a doubting soul is fetched to heaven by a pleasing surprise, or ever it is aware.
(Commentary from Matthew Henry Complete)
Be encouraged as you read the Biblical account of when Jesus walked on the water. Below the Scripture, you will find helpful articles, videos, and audio to aid your Bible study of this popular passage.
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