| The crowds couldn’t believe their
eyes when they saw twelve baskets filled with loaves and fish.
In amazement, some of the boldest of the crowd said, “This is
truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Their
stomachs full, they put their heads together, plotting how
they could capture Jesus and make Him their King. At last,
they would be free of the Roman domination and be out from
under the puppet King Herod.
But Jesus slipped from their presence and went to the
mountains to pray.
Luke 9:18-20 –
“And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples
joined Him, and He asked them, saying, ‘Who do the crowds say
that I am?’ So they answered and said, John the Baptist, but
some say Elijah; and other say that one of the old prophets
has risen again.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I
am?’”
Historical
setting:
Time: About 28 A.D.
Place: The Sea
of Galilee.
Persons: Jesus and the twelve apostles.
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John
6:15-21
It was evening. It had
been a long day. Jesus could see the strain on the faces of
His disciples. He knew that they needed to get away from the
crowds. He led the way to the Sea of Galilee, "Cross over to the other side while I send the
multitudes away," He said to His disciples. After
the crowds of people had dispersed, Jesus went back up the
mountain, to His own private place, to pray.
Many of
the disciples, being fishermen, felt at peace on the water, so
they were glad of Jesus’ suggestion, relieved to be away from
the crowds. As they climbed into their boat, they saw that
several of the crowd had followed, climbing into other little
boats. But they didn’t let that bother them. It was a
beautiful evening. The mountains surrounding the Sea of
Galilee cast their shadows on the smooth surface. Glittering
stars and a full moon brightened the sky and reflected on the
calm water, a perfect evening for sailing. The disciples
stayed near the shore for awhile, waiting for Jesus to join
them.
“I suppose Jesus isn’t coming,” ventured one of
the disciples. “We’d better not wait any longer if we are to
get there before it gets any darker. Let’s launch out into
deeper waters. Perhaps Jesus will catch a boat with someone
else and join us in Capernaum tomorrow.”
The gentle
winds caught the sails of the little boat carrying the
disciples towards the middle of the lake. No sooner had they
left the sight of the shore, than the winds picked up. A storm
was brewing! They pulled down the sails and held a tighter
grip on the oars, as they headed into the deep. Waves began
sloshing up into their boat. With all their might they rowed,
fighting with the elements. They had come too far out now to
return to the shore. The navigator glanced across the
darkening water to estimate their whereabouts. They were about
the same distance to the other side. Frightened, they rowed
harder. The boat began tossing about, threatening to capsize.
In their panic they looked out at the threatening
waves, about to swallow them. What they saw brought terror to
each of them.
“It’s a ghost!” one of the disciples
called out. Unmistakably, walking on the water was a form
approaching them.. All eyes turned toward where their mate was
pointing. “We’re going to die!” they shouted in unison. “We’re
all going to die, right here in the middle of a lake we know
so well.”
But wait! The ghost is speaking!
“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not
be afraid.” They heard a familiar voice, but their
fears had taken hold of their reason. Now the ghost was even
speaking!
Peter, ever the daring one, blurted out:
“Lord, if it is You, tell me to come to You.”
“Come!” said the familiar voice.
That was all the encouragement that bold Peter needed.
Without noticing the look of shock on his mates’ faces, he
stepped over the side of the boat, and into the raging waves
toward Jesus. “I’m walking on water!” Peter couldn’t
believe it. “I am actually walking on water. This can’t be
real. People cannot walk on water.” Suddenly, taking his
eyes off the Lord, and looking at the raging sea, Peter began
to sink. “Lord save me,” he called out.
He felt
the hand of Jesus, lifting him up. His fears left him. Then he
heard the loving reproach, “Oh you of
little faith, why did you doubt?”
Before
Peter had a chance to reflect on Jesus’ question, and before
he could even realize it, they were in the boat. Immediately
the waves were calm and the men were safe. The weak faith of
Jesus’ followers was restored. They fell at Jesus’ feet and
worshipped Him. “Lord, we know who You are. You are the Son
of God”
“Yes,” Jesus assured His disciples, “It is
I. Be not afraid.”
© Helen Dowd Look for more studies to come in the near future.
| |