I know that it’s been a while (4 weeks to be exact) since we last looked at John’s gospel. So, I want to remind everyone very quickly of where we left off. Prior to our look at biblical stewardship, we had been working our way through John’s gospel. We had just seen Jesus heal a man who was almost completely paralyzed, defend his authority as the Son, and most recently feed some 10,000 to 15,000 people with some scraps of food given by a young boy. At the end of these accounts, Jesus and his disciples had to retreat quickly so that the people did not take him away and crown him king right there on the spot, because the type of king that they wanted and that they had in mind for him to be wasn’t the type of king that he is. That evening, after their retreating, Jesus’ disciples went out onto the Sea of Galilee in a boat in order to row back across the sea to Capernaum, but Jesus stayed behind for a time of solitude. We are told in Mark’s account of this event, that Jesus ordered them to leave him behind, meaning that he is purposefully placing them in this situation at this time. I have never been to this part of the world. I want to, and it’s on my bucket list, but I have talked to a great number of people who have stood along the shore there and even a few who have been in a boat in the middle of this sea. They have all told me how beautiful and surreal this particular sight is in person. They all tell me that you can almost feel the magnitude of all of the events that took place nearby when you are in that place. They all tell me that there is nothing like standing in a place where you know Jesus to have stood to make you feel the power and presence of God.
A little geography lesson here about this area will help us, I think, to gain a little better understanding of the situation at hand. You see, the Sea of Galilee is about 650 feet below sea level and 150 feet deep. It is almost completely surrounded by hills on all sides; almost as if it were at the bottom of a bowl. These particular physical features make the Sea of Galilee subject to sudden violent storms. The area over the open waters can be somewhat of a wind tunnel at times. I think that we can relate very easily to this type of atmosphere. One of the most unusual things to me during my first year here in Houma is how a perfect day outside can, seemingly without warning, turn into a downpour. The rain lasts for only a few minutes and then it’s almost as if nothing ever happened and the beautiful day continues. However, there is that brief time where it comes down and it comes down hard. When it comes to the Sea of Galilee, strong winds can come seemingly out of nowhere and catch those out in open waters by surprise. Fishermen would feel like they were out on a sheet of glass, and quickly find themselves in an all-hands-on-deck type of situation. Now, it was common knowledge that this occurs from time-to-time, but it still frightened those out on the water at the time. Think about it, just because you know that something is coming doesn’t mean that it isn’t frightening. I’m terrified of rollercoasters. I can see exactly what path it takes. I know what’s coming when I sit down, but that doesn’t prevent my heart from beating nearly out of my chest when the ride begins. When we look at this group of disciples, we see several of them who were either experienced fishermen or had at the very least spent a great deal of time on a boat. Even though they had such a wealth of experience on the water, they still were a little frightened by what was going on around them once the storms began.
As the disciples are trying to fight the elements, stay afloat, and row to their desired destination, they look out across the waters. They don’t expect to see anything, but they are just making sure that they aren’t about to crash into anything because of the massive winds and the fact that it is dark outside. I don’t know if you have ever been out on the water when it is pitch black dark with no lights, but it can be an intimidating thing for even the most experienced of boaters. As they look out, they see something coming towards them. In fact, it isn’t a something at all, but someone. They see Jesus walking towards them, and he’s not in a boat. He is walking on the surface of the water. In that instant, they probably think that due to the amount of terror and stress that they are experiencing in that moment, that they are seeing things. We’re told in the other gospel account of this event that they think they are seeing a ghost. However, they quickly realize that what they are all witnessing is very much a reality. Think about what the disciples had to be experiencing in that moment. They are witnessing their Master walk to them as if there is nothing going on at the same time that they are fighting for their very lives in the midst of this storm.
Then Jesus speaks, “It is I; do not be afraid” or if we were to take the full translation of the Greek text here we would find, “Don’t be afraid. It is I AM WHO I AM.” Yes, that is the very same name that God uses of Himself when speaking to Moses in Exodus 3, as well as other places in the Old Testament. In other words, do not fear, because God is with you. Simple words found in a moment that is anything but simple. This text of ours today is often lumped with the prior feeding of the 5,000 or our text for next Sunday where Jesus’ bread of life discourse is recorded, but that causes us to gloss over this account too quickly. In these 6 verses, by all accounts a short account in John’s gospel, there are seemingly two miracles that take place. The first is Jesus’ walking on water and the second is what we find in verse 21: “Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.” Immediately they were at their desired destination. By the mere presence of Jesus Christ, those in the boat were safely upon dry land. The storms stopped and the seas were calmed because Jesus has authority over them. He has authority over all things.
Now, it can be a dangerous practice to read things into Scripture that aren’t there. Not every narrative in the Bible is meant to be read as if it were a parable. Most narratives simply tell the story and the events as they happened. This particular narrative both tells of the events, and provides us with a great lesson similar to those taught in the parables of Jesus. When we have Christ with us, there is something different. To quote R.C. Sproul, “life is a time of pulling against the oars, against resistance, trying to get somewhere. However, we’re not getting anywhere and we’re about to be engulfed. But as soon as Jesus gets in the boat, we’re home free.” No don’t misinterpret Dr. Sproul’s words here. He’s not saying, nor am I, nor does Scripture, that once we become a Christian and proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, that things become easy. In fact, I will tell you without hesitation that many times it is quite the opposite. When we live out our faith and try and adhere to the principles set forth for us in Scripture, many times life becomes even more difficult.
No, I’m not saying that Jesus makes life easier at all. What I am saying is that when Jesus enters into our hearts and our lives, He gets us through the darkness. He gets us through the violence. He carries us through the storms. However, there is much more to it than simply saying that you are a Christian and then allowing Christ to carry you through all of life’s trials and tribulations. Your faith, your relationship with Christ can’t just be a part of you; it has to be who you are. I know that personally I have had to learn this particular lesson the hard way. Unfortunately, I have had to have been taught this lesson on more than one occasion. It would have seemed the best idea for the disciples to keep paddling and keep rowing because if they stopped then they might meet their end, but that’s not what we see in our text. They hear Jesus speak to them and they stop and take him into the boat. The problem that I have had in my life, and maybe you have had this problem too, is that I refuse to stop rowing. I say that I am waiting for Christ to act and to see me through whatever I’m experiencing, but I won’t stop moving or talking or planning so that I can see or hear what He is telling me.
What do we need to make it through struggles? What do we need to overcome difficult times in our lives? Family, friends, vacations, stress-relievers, etc. Don’t you think that God uses all of these things to deliver us; that He places people in our lives to help us through our difficult times? Life isn’t an easy thing. We are going to experience joy, happiness, laughter, and victory, but will also know pain, suffering, loss, and defeat. No matter whether in good times or bad, I think that it is important to remember the words that Jesus spoke to the disciples during the storm. There is no need to be afraid because God Himself is with us. We may not come out of whatever situation it is without a few bumps and bruises, but He will see us through it. We may not enjoy our time spent enduring trials and tribulations. Things may turn out differently for you than you would have hoped or than you would have imagined. I know this has most certainly been the case in my life. However, God has not, nor will He ever, fail to deliver on His promises to see His children through any situation. Do not be afraid, for God is with you. Glory be to God; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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