Jesus Calms Their Fears
May 15, 2020
Commentary
In the evening following the feeding of the 5000, the disciples got into a boat and left Jesus behind while they began to row toward Capernaum (vv. 16-17). As it became dark, a strong wind was blowing them off course (v. 18). Suddenly, to their amazement, they saw Jesus not far from the boat, walking on the water and they became frightened (v. 19). Jesus immediately answers the disciples fear with these words, “It is I, Be not afraid” (v. 20). Matthew tells us that this was the time when Peter calls out to Him, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water,” (Matt 14:28). The disciples’ fear was immediately relieved when they realized it was indeed Jesus who was walking on the water. He was in control of all events, and so they willingly received Him into the boat (v. 21).
Then we see another demonstration of the power of Jesus, for instantly they arrived at the dock in Capernaum. It seems that this was a miracle intended only for those who believed, unlike the feeding of the 5000 which was intended for anybody who happened to be there. This teaches us that the resources are available to quiet the agony of uncertainly and anxiety that often grips our hearts in time of trouble. As we stand at the brink of each new day, we can be sure that some of us are going to face some very frightening circumstances of disease, accident, death, etc. We may find ourselves in a sea of trouble like these disciples. But what Jesus said to the disciples He is saying to us as well. He then told them they are following Him for physical reasons rather than spiritual (vv. 22-27).
Application
These accounts are here in the Scriptures to teach us the hidden resource of life, the place to run to when things get overwhelming. This is not something to be reserved for just the great trials of life. It is available for any time of pressure, or any degree of it. I need to always seek the Lord’s wisdom and help in every circumstance of life.
John 6:15– 27 (NET)
15 Then Jesus, because he knew they were going to come and seize him by force to make him king, withdrew again up the mountainside alone.
16 Now when evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 got into a boat, and started to cross the lake to Capernaum. (It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.) 18 By now a strong wind was blowing and the sea was getting rough. 19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they caught sight of Jesus walking on the lake, approaching the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat came to the land where they had been heading.
22 The next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the lake realized that only one small boat had been there, and that Jesus had not boarded it with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came to shore near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate all the loaves of bread you wanted. 27 Do not work for the food that disappears, but for the food that remains to eternal life—the food which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him.”
Illustration: Because of Fear
Let me tell you a true but tragic story; A woman was walking along a riverbank with her child. Suddenly the child slipped into the river. The mother screamed in terror. She couldn’t swim, and besides, she was in the latter stages of pregnancy. Finally, somebody heard her screaming and rushed down to the riverbank. The utter tragedy was, when they stepped into those murky waters to retrieve that now dead child, they found that the water was only waist deep! That mother could have easily saved her child but didn’t because of fear. (Hell’s Best Kept Secret, by Ray Comfort (Bellflower, CA: Ray Comfort, 1989), pp. 160-161).