Because the Bible only mentions 5,000 males, and not women or children, I believe there are more than 5,000. Following their successful feeding of a large number of people, Jesus and His 12 disciples walked up a mountain for some one-on-one devotional time with the Father. When it comes to ghosts in the ancient world, they were considered to be a negative omen; in the LXX Isaiah 28:7, a comparable phrase () is rendered as a foul omen. Take heed, disciples, as Jesus reaches out to them and instructs them to take heed. eart! (imperative from eart!) In particular, the narrative part of the story seems to fall into the apocalyptic genre, meaning by this term a genre characterized by an accentuated symbolism and light-shadow contrasts. Peter jumped out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus, but the moment he took his eyes offof Jesus, Peter saw nothing but the wind and waves, and he started to sink. He does not let us drown for a little while until we get our act together. [9] Alan Robinson sees the pericope as important in establishing the belief in the early Church that the disciples viewed Jesus as the Son of God. As Peter later writes to the persecuted church in 1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Many readers will disagree with me on some of this but not, I hope, because belief in the signs and wonders of Jesus and in his resurrection is in some way contingent on specific understandings of the mechanism of creation. We dont have to guess what it is, which is a relief.Because, while all four Gospel authors mention the feeding of the five thousand, only John tells us when this miracle occurred, i.e., around the time of Passover (John 6:4).And this is his key to understanding the significance of all that follows. These are powerful passages. But we believe this, I believe this, not because it is a creed separate from scripture, but because it is a condensation of scripture. | Theme by SuperbThemes.Com. This post didnt get many comments, although the conversation continued with several more along the same theme as this one. This sovereign King goes from whipping the wind into shape, to being crucified on a cross in order to bring about the redemption of His people. If we call out to Jesus in trust, he will come and take our hands in his and lift us over what appears to be insurmountable circumstances. Miracles, signs, and wonders are simply not believable. 711). 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Your email address will not be published. This parallels what Moses told the people on the eve of the Red Sea crossing: Do not be afraid. https://www.learnreligions.com/jesus-walks-on-water-700220 (accessed March 1, 2023). It also reveals the heart of Christ to me! In fact, He builds on the parallel, ascending a mountain alone (John 6:15) as Moses had before Him (Ex. Jesus, according to Matthew, not only fulfills particular prophesies from the Old Testament, but also serves as a living embodiment of the Old Testament in all he says and does, which is more essential than that. In Luke . How Many Times Does Jesus Talk About Hell? Therefore, our little problems by comparison are light and momentary troubles that are preparing us for an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (Rom. / In every high and stormy gale, /My anchor holds within the veil. Have you ever paused to consider and giggle at the miracle account of Jesus walking on water?Im sure you have.What exactly was the point of that?The fact that he cured people, drove out devils, and fed the hungry is understandable; these are all commendable and logical things for a good teacher and miracle worker to accomplish.The walking on water, though, was a mystery to me.Was it some sort of prank? Did Jesus walk on water? However, when the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were startled and said, Its a ghost! as they screamed in terror.Take comfort, it is I, Jesus said directly to them when they had heard him say it.Be brave and do not be scared. And Peter said, Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the sea, indicating that he believed it was. When his fear hits, he begins to sink, but Jesus immediately saves Him. In the book of Psalms, the sea is frequently used to symbolize tremendous uncertainty and insurmountable difficulty (e.g., Pss. as events with deep symbolic resonance. The amazing thing is that in faith Peter started walking on the water toward Jesus. Without looking, she had walked directly off the dock and into the water. The video appears to have been taken roughly 15 miles downstream from East Palestine, and just north of where Little Beaver Creek feeds into the Ohio River in Midland, Pennsylvania. (Moses could only draw water from the rock, while Jesus could draw wine from the rock, the stone jars; see Ex. [24], Biblical scholar George W. Young dismisses the naturalistic explanations, the traditional and the historical critical perspectives. To show His disciples that the very thing they feared, the raging, seething sea, was merely a set of steps for Him to come to them.Often we fear the difficult experiences of life such as illness, loss of loved ones, and financial hardships only to discover that these experiences can bring Jesus closer to us.But we have to ask, why did they not recognize Jesus?The answer is they were not looking for Him. (Matthew 14:31; Mark 12:31).After that, they went onto the boat, where the storm had subsided.All of the disciples eyes were wide open and riveted on Jesus, as if they couldnt believe what they were seeing for the first time!And theres Jesus, all alone in the middle of the room.I believe He was beaming from ear to ear the entire time. TE, it was suggested, starts one on a slippery slope to deny any active work of God. Both emerge from the concrete reality of Davids own experience. Jonah is judged by a storm, which is only halted when he is flung into the sea (Jonah 1:916), and he is punished. I heard a splash, and immediately there was a commotion among the many adults and kids. 23 And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone. Peter showed the boldness of his faith as he followed Jesus out of the boat. [12] David Cook and Craig Evans note that "of little faith" is a somewhat common expression in Matthew (e.g. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: Acts 1:3. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. The New Testament Bible tale of Jesus walking on water is one of the most commonly repeated narratives and one of the most significant miracles performed by Jesus in his lifetime.The incident takes place immediately after another miracle, the feeding of the 5,000 people, had taken place.This experience persuaded the twelve disciples that Jesus is, in fact, the Son of God who is still alive. I have arrived! After that, he went inside the boat, and the wind died down completely. What were the miracles of Jesus? An further allusion to the chapter from Job. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake (Matthew 14:2425).Though they were only to travel a short distance, the storm was so violent that, despite all their efforts to control their boat, the storm had driven them nearly four miles out into the very midst of the sea.Being the fourth watch of the night (3:00 AM to 6:00 AM), they had been rowing and straining at their oars for approaching nine hours!They were totally exhausted.Mark tells us that, when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the lake, they thought He was a ghost. [27], Young analyses the pericope as the expression of three entangled, conflicting perspectives on reality: (i) the "conventional reality" based on sensory perception; (ii) the "impossible" vision of Jesus resulting in the astonishment of the observers; (iii) the narrator's metaphysical comment in Mark 6:52 identifying Jesus as the Son of God.[28]. They cried out, because they all saw Him and were terrified (Mark 6:4850).And this brings us to the second significant point of this miracle.Jesus always comes to us in the storms of life.This is reminiscent of the words of God to Isaiah: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you (Isaiah 43:2). Moses also doubts Gods ability to provide enough food (Num. Miracles, Peace, Strength, And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 977 views, 27 likes, 24 loves, 0 comments, 4 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Baguio Cathedral of Our Lady of the Atonement: 4:00 PM - LIVE NOW. After this, Israel wandered in the wilderness, and Moses asked God where he could find food for so many people (Num. Instead, Young explores the pericope with literary-critical methods as narrative art. Like us, Peter is plagued with the depravity of human nature. Restoring faith after a lapse: When Peter got off the boat, he had excellent intentions, but his faith began to wane as time went on. 18 And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew. Fairchild, Mary. Jesus is not oblivious to the spiritual or physical needs of His people. 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. Every time the This is where the waves whipped up around the disciples' boat and frightened them into waking Jesus during the storm. / His oath, His covenant, his blood, / Support me in the whelming flood. They were frightened, thinking that they were seeing a spirit, but when Jesus told them not to be afraid, they were reassured. Despite its name, the lake is 700 feet below sea level in the Mediterranean Sea.One of the most notable characteristics of this body of water is that it is extremely vulnerable to storms that can come on suddenly and be extremely violent.This type of storm is triggered by the collision of cold air rushing down from the mountains surrounding it with warm, moist air rising from the surface of the water itself.After sunset, his disciples went down to the lake, where they boarded a boat and began their journey to Capernaum. 17:17; John 2:112). As a result, Peter climbed over the side of the boat and began walking across the sea toward Jesus. Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? Then Jesus multiplies bread, as if from thin air, to feed the multitudes with as much as they wanted (John 6:11), just as God had provided bread from heaven to feed His people with as much as any man could eat (Ex. 21:1). The miracles are reported as taking place years apart from each other, but in both miracles apostles are fishing unsuccessfully in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus tells them to try one more cast of the net, at which they are rewarded with a great catch (or "draught", as in "haul" or "weight"). Make it possible for these wonderful readers to believe in your brilliance! But he assured them, saying, It is I; do not be alarmed. Then they were willing to put him in the boat, and the boat arrived at the shore where they were headed almost immediately (John 6:1621).There are numerous essential elements to note regarding this miracle.First, Matthew informs us that the boat was already a great way from land, buffeted by the waves since the wind was against it. 11:13).With identical words, Philip approaches Jesus with the same question (John 6:5).A similar worry is expressed by Moses (Num. As a result, our little difficulties are minor and transient difficulties that are preparing us for an everlasting grandeur that much transcends all of our difficulties (Rom.8:18; 2 Cor.4:17).3. If we really believe this, the acts of Jesus described in the gospels are not arbitrary acts they are part of his mission and the prophetic witness. 33:45). Be brave and do not be scared. And as he got into the boat with them, the wind stopped blowing.And they were completely taken aback, for they had no idea what was going on with the loaves, and their hearts had hardened (Mark 6:44-52).Mark begins with a matter-of-fact demeanor, but by the conclusion of the chapter, he has shown surprise. Is this the second occasion in Matthew that Jesus withdraws himself from his followers to pray in private?In order to cross the lake, the disciples must go against the wind, which results in limited progress.A vast distance separated the boat from the shore.s.f.This helps to smooth out the many stadiums that Greeley has. 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. My daughter stepped off into a still lake and immediately began to sink, but Jesus took off from the shore into high waves and gusting winds. Its like being able to walk on water!Peter walked on water and came near Jesus, according to the Bible (Matthew 14:29).Wow Im curious as to how that felt!Then Jesus Himself comes out onto the water, in the middle of a terrible storm, in his small dinghy, and invites him to come with him.It is risk-free. Suggestion of a natural cause and effect does not undermine the work of God. The details presented differ slightly, but the cornerstone of each is the declaration of who Jesus is. Growing up, every sermon I heard about Jesus walking on water focused on Gods ability to calm the storms in our lives. The New Testament Bible story of Jesus walking on water is one of the most widely told narratives and key miracles of Jesus. Matt. It is common in parts of our society to dismiss the power of God, to reduce theism (belief in a personal interactive God) to deism (belief in a God who got everything started). Daniel also tells us that the chaos of the sea is the origin of the enemies of God (Dan. And promising a coming of, and baptizing with, the Holy Spirit ( Acts 1:5, 8 ), Jesus ascended to heaven . What made you lose your nerve like that?" All rights reserved. events with deep symbolic resonance. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Then, First, we have the multiplication of signs and wonders as in Egypt (cf. 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. Therefore, in John 6, Jesus is revealed as the One who brings about the . One of our friends heard the splash and very quickly dove in after her. After witnessing this miracle, the disciples worshiped Jesus, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God.". In the forty days after the resurrection, Christ stayed on the earth to prepare His disciples for the work before them. 18:1518). Every sermon I heard about Jesus walking on water as a child centered on Gods capacity to calm the storms in our life, which I found to be true.Following seminary, I grew to despise such readings, believing that they were missing the real meaning of the text altogether.Yet in reality, Jesus is the One who is able to calm the storms of our life exactly because He is the One who has freed us from the bonds of sin and death and the torments of hell.To put it another way, if we can put our faith in Jesus to resolve our most difficult difficulties, as He has done through the cross and the resurrection, then how much more can we put our faith in Him to face the more minor tribulations of life?In other words, Christ has the ability to and occasionally does intervene in our troubles in the same manner as He did when He rescued His disciples from the sea (John 6:21).When that occurs, there is nothing left to do but express gratitude to God for yet another act of kindness and grace on our behalf. 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