When The Disciples Needed Reassurance 3-2-25 AM

I.            The rejection by Jesus (John 6:16; Mark 6:45-46)

a.      The people that Jesus fed wanted to make Jesus their king (John 6:15).

b.      This was not the purpose for which Jesus came to this earth.

                                                              i.      John 18:36.

                                                            ii.      If Jesus wanted to be an earthly king, the opportunity was there for the taking.

c.       His purpose was to bring about salvation (Luke 19:10).

d.      For this reason, Jesus rejected the people and their desire for Him.

e.      He got the disciples out of the area.

                                                              i.      Mark says He constrained them to get in the ship and leave.

                                                            ii.      There is forcefulness in that word.

                                                          iii.      He literally made them get into the boat.

f.        The text does not say why Jesus did this.

g.      This is conjecture, but it is likely that the disciples would have been swept up in this thought as well.

h.      Remember what they asked Him right before He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:6)?

i.        These men had been taught this same idea.

                                                              i.      They had grown up hearing about the coming Messiah.

                                                            ii.      How that Messiah would lead Israel back to relevance and prominence.

                                                          iii.      How that Messiah would bring in a golden age for Israel and the Jews.

j.        Jesus had to reject this thinking.

                                                              i.      It was a temptation for His human side.

                                                            ii.      Worse than that, it was a lie capable of pulling away His disciples.

k.      Jesus made sure to reject this desire of the people and to get His disciples away from it as well.

l.        Once Jesus got them on the boat and headed out, He went alone to pray.

m.    I believe Jesus did this because of the temptation that had been laid on Him and for the hearts and minds of His disciples.

II.            The reassurance of the disciples (John 6:17-20; Mark 6:47-50).

a.      The disciples started rowing towards their destination.

b.      Have you ever wondered what they were talking about while they were rowing?

                                                              i.      Do you not think they were asking why Jesus rejected the people?

                                                            ii.      Do you not think they were asking if Jesus really was the Messiah?

c.       While they were rowing, a storm blew onto the lake.

d.      The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by mountains and is over 600 feet below sea level.

                                                              i.      Cold air comes rushing down the between two sets of mountains.

                                                            ii.      The cold air will hit the warm air over the lake and cause large storms on it.

e.      This is what happened on this occasion.

f.        The disciples had rowed about 3-4 miles out on the lake.

                                                              i.      At its widest point, it is a little over seven miles wide.

                                                            ii.      So they were about halfway across the lake.

g.      Mark tells us that it was during the fourth watch of the night, which is around 3 AM to us.

h.      They could not move forward, even with their rowing because they were rowing into the wind.

i.        While this storm was raging and they were rowing and battling, they saw a figure on the water.

                                                              i.      Mark says they saw a spirit.

                                                            ii.      Newer versions have the word ghost.

j.        They freaked out.

k.      Verse 49 says they cried out.

                                                              i.      They screamed.

                                                            ii.      Thayer’s says the word means “from the depth of the throat.”

l.        Jesus simply says, “It is I, be not afraid.”

m.    Jesus reassured them that they had nothing to fear.

n.      Again, we might wonder why John tells of this miracle after Matthew and Mark had already told about it.

                                                              i.      He does not even go into as much detail as them.

                                                            ii.      Mark, usually known for his brevity, gives the most detail.

o.      This miracle was not for us specifically.

p.      Remember that miracles were performed for non-believers.

q.      The only ones present were His disciples.

                                                              i.      You see, they were the non-believers.

                                                            ii.      They had just seen Jesus reject the attempt to enthrone Him.

                                                          iii.      How could Jesus be the Messiah if He would not be a king?

r.       Jesus used this opportunity to show them that He was exactly who He claimed to be.

s.       There is no reason to be afraid because I am is what Jesus was saying.

t.       The disciples needed this reassurance because they had been doubting Jesus because Jesus was not fulfilling their preconceived ideas about the Messiah.

III.            The reward of faith (John 6:21; Mark 6:51).

a.      We read that they willingly received Jesus into the boat.

b.      They showed their faith.

c.       Jesus had shown Himself to be what He claimed to be and they reacted by faith.

d.      They were rewarded with a calm sea and a port – in other words, safety.

e.      I do believe verse 21 teaches that the ship went from the middle of the lake to their destination immediately, just as it says.

f.        Mark tells us that the storm immediately stilled.

g.      When we take Jesus into our lives, and we get into Him, we have safety.

                                                              i.      Not safety from the problems of life or things like that.

                                                            ii.      We have spiritual safety, having access to His blood.

                                                          iii.      We have peace with Christ (John 16:33).

h. These men were rewarded with safety, as are all that truly believe Jesus is the Messiah, which means they follow Him.