This incident serves as a reminder to believers that a temporary loss of faith is only that: a temporary loss of faith. [13], Cook and Evans also echo Pentecost's interpretation that the detail regarding "many stadia away" and "battered by the waves" were intended to emphasize that Jesus could walk on the water far away from the shore, on a rough sea, thus establishing his dominance over nature. Moses also doubts Gods ability to provide enough food (Num. 33:45).And, while He rejects their promise of kingship without the crucifixion (cf.Matt.4:89; Luke 4:57), Jesus does not deny the relationship to Moses that they have made with Him.As a matter of fact, He builds on the comparison by mounting a mountain by himself (John 6:15), just as Moses had done before Him (Ex.19:13). When Peter called out to Jesus to save him, Matthew 14:31 says Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him. 14:22 And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away. But then the strong wind took his focus off of Christ. So what was Jesus motivation for walking on water? We were not present to witness any miracles of timing. Jonah is judged by a storm that is stopped only when he is cast into the sea (Jonah 1:916). 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. He came with a mission to reconcile all things to God himself. 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. THATS MY JESUS, RIGHT THERE!Even when we believe we are about to drown because we are obeying Christ as He beckons us out onto the sea, He continues to urge, Come with me into the storm, deeper. Im right here.Im not going to let it get to you. Instead, they jumped to the false conclusion that His appearance was that of a ghost. This post didnt get many comments, although the conversation continued with several more along the same theme as this one. As soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus, Peter began to sink.When Peter called out to the Lord, Jesus quickly put out his hand to grab him in his arms.As Jesus and Peter clambered into the boat together, the storm came to an abrupt halt. What can we learn from Jesus feeding of the 5,000? In each of the Gospels that record it, Jesus miraculous crossing of the Sea of Galilee follows the feeding of the five thousand. And He encourages us not to be scared!In the midst of the storm, when everything seems to be crashing and shattering around us, when we are in the midst of the storm and nothing makes sense, Jesus assures us that Im with you. That is incredible!That gives me a sense of security! However, like with the last lake-miracle (Matthew 8:23-27), the disciples are in a precarious situation and are afraid when they see Jesus approaching them. Thus, the story is extremely significant to Christiansand the basis for several important life lessons that govern how believers practice their faith. There are also others who not only reject this miracle, but also reject the reality that this miracle exposes as well.Who could believe that Jesus story of walking on water was a fairy tale after hearing the Nicene Creed read aloud at Mass, affirming that he is God from God, Light from Light, Very God of Very God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father by whom all things were made, and then claim that it was just a fairy tale?Modernism.I despise it with a ferocious zeal. So, heres a chapter from the book of Job that talks about the Creator: He is the only one who can stretch out the sky and walk on the waves of the sea.9 He is the creator of the constellations of the Bear and Orion, as well as the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.Ten miracles that cannot be numbered are performed by him. (Isaiah 43:2).The Lord may not come at the time we think He should come, because He knows when we need Him the most. Some academics see connections between this event and the story of Moses bringing the children of Israel across the Red Sea during the Passover celebrations in the Old Testament.We wont go into as much into on the symbolism in this section.The relevance of the narrative for us today will be found by comparing and contrasting the three different versions of it that were all recorded shortly after Jesus fed the multitude of five thousand people. In contrast to Mark, John does not mention Jesus instructions to the disciples to cross the lake, but rather credits initiative to the disciples to do what they are familiar with.Then, when they found themselves in difficulties, they were delighted to invite Jesus into the boat, and they arrived at their destination almost swiftly.The story of John can inspire us to pay attention to how Jesus is at work in our lives.Also, if we dont receive instant instructions, we should stick with what weve already been informed until we do receive them.Finally, when we find ourselves in danger, we should put our trust in Jesus, knowing that he will see us through to the other side. They said, It is a ghost! and they cried out in fear. As recounted in Matthew verse 27,Jesus told them, "Take courage! In Mark 6:45, Jesus instructed them to travel to Bethsaida, which is roughly seven miles south of Tabgha, despite the fact that the winds were blowing them south to Gennesa. (2021, September 7). When that happens, theres nothing to do except praise God for yet another gift of mercy and grace. [22], Finally, there are scholars who regard the story as an example of "creative symbolism", or myth,[23] which probably was understood by a part of the audience literally and by others allegorically. Evolutionary creation makes the most sense out of the data. Following their witnessing of this miracle, the disciples prostrated themselves before Jesus and said, Truly you are the Son of God.. 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. However, although Moses came from the mountain with the law, Jesus returns from the cross with nothing more than Himself. Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? When repeating the story of the Exodus, the Old Testament presents God as walking on the Sea, says the author. The miracles of Jesus are miraculous deeds attributed to Jesus in Christian and Islamic texts. Jesus Walks on Water Bible Story Study Guide. Fairchild, Mary. They were frightened, thinking that they were seeing a spirit, but when Jesus told them not to be afraid, they were reassured. All this receives further confirmation when we consider that in Scripture, the sea tends to symbolize sin, death, and judgment. So the other disciples stayed in the boat and dragged in the net full of fish. [21] Others have held that the entire episode is a "pious legend" (B.H. Using similar language, Philip asks Jesus the same (John 6:5). 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. However, Jesus only draws closer and closer until, at long last, He calms them down and leaves them alone. As a Christian both orthodox and evangelical I affirm the historic creeds the rule of faith which we have received from the beginning. The Bible recorded only one instance when Jesus walked on water. 14:13).2 The implication is clear: we have nothing to fear so long as God is with us, and He is with us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Instead, the story of Jesus walking on the sea (John 6:1621) seems almost like an interruption of an otherwise unbroken narrative about Jesus feeding the five thousand and revealing His identity as the Bread of Life (John 6:115, 2371). "We Do Not Own The Rights To Any of The. His voice rang out to the Lord even though he was terrified, knowing that Jesus was the only one who could assist him. 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. However, when he saw the tremendous wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink into the water. It appears that they are traveling against the wind and are being pummeled by the wave. Usually, the word battered () refers to harassment and torture (e.g., Mark 6:48 in the ESV, they were making progress painfull), but in this case, it refers to punishment.This is the traditional meaning of the word, which conveys the idea of being forced to read the material (typically via suffering, BrillD).The disciples knowledge of who Jesu is may have been tested throughout this hard night of rowing against the wind.Since they end up at Gennesa, this is the case.The distance between Tagbha and Tel Kinneret is approximately 14 miles (23 kilometers) south, at the southern tip of the l ake. You of little faith, why did you doubt? he said as he reached down into the water and raised him to his feet. So, even in the midst of the storm, Jesus is still present, reminding us of what He has done, supporting us to face the challenges ahead, and urging us not to lose sight of the fact that our most difficult issues have already been resolved. it this way. Approximately three or four miles into their journey, they noticed Jesus walking on the water and approaching the boat, which caused them to become alarmed.It is I, he assured them.Do not be alarmed, he said. 21:1). Jesus committed no sin, either before orduring His suffering (cf. Is the narrative based on true events?When we read the gospels, the raw truth of the stories is what hits us the most.These are not imaginative fictions, but rather eyewitness testimonies from the time of the events.A further point to consider is that the more ridiculous the narrative, the more probable it is that it is a true account of genuine events, rather than an invention.While its understandable if someone is writing fantasy fiction, we shouldnt be surprised if bizarre events occur. But Christianity is not a deist faith; it is a theist faith. ft er me.11 I, I am the Lord, and there is no rescuer (plural of savior) apart from me (participle from savior).m ).Why does Jesus waltz throughout the world? 13:1). / When all around my soul gives way, / He then is all my hope and stay (My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less by Edward Mote). 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). [19], Catholic scholar John P. Meier believes that the miraculous walk on water is a purely theological narrative, without historical foundation. Covering topics including Miracles, Peace, Strength, Recognizing the Lords presence: Despite the fact that they had been with Jesus for a long time, the disciples did not recognize him as he approached them in the midst of the storm. 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"). To put it differently, if we can trust Jesus to resolve our deepest problems, as He does through the cross and the resurrection, then how much more can we trust Him to handle the smaller trials of life? 17:17; John 2:112). 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea. [4] During the journey on the sea, the disciples were distressed by wind and waves, but saw Jesus walking towards them on the sea. It is true that the disciples were scared because their hearts had been hardened as a result of their failure to comprehend the loaves. [24], Others look for an origin in the mythic world of the Old Testament itself (Christ's victory over the waters paralleling Yahweh's defeat of the primeval Sea, representing Chaos),[25] or within the New Testament, as an originally simple story later embellished with Hellenistic and Old Testament details. It wasn't identified exactly in The Bible the year on which JESUS walk on the water but we can say it was perhaps year 33 as JESUS walkes on the water after His resurrection from. Biologos. Jesus did this to strengthen, teach, and confirm the faith of His disciples. These are powerful passages. This indicates that the narrative of Jesus walking on water has been recorded by three different eyewitnesses, which lends credibility to the storys truthfulness.This is crucial since walking on water is considered a miracle by many people.Why did Jesus choose to walk on water?What exactly does it mean? Only John's account has their ship immediately reach the shore. 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. debate, where people kept asking a Protestant minister who was also a TE The hymn It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio Spafford begins, Whatever Satan buffet / though tribulations approach, / Let this blest certainty control: / That Christ has respect for my helpless position / And has bled his own blood for my soul. Edward Motes poem My Hope is Built on Nothing Less says, When darkness obscures his lovely face / I rest on his unchanging grace. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. Jesus had waited until the boat was as far from land as possible, when all their hope was gone. 14:3436; Mark 6:5356). As Jesus performs these miracles, He is giving the disciples just a snippet of who He really is. 4:15; 1 John 3:5). Meaning of Jesus Walking on Water. During his miracle of walking on water in Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus provides an answer to the question posed in the Nazareth synagogue, Where did Jesus acquire his authority to teach and perform miracles? Following up on his revelation that he was a provider of food in the desert in the account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14), Jesus shows himself in this story to be the one who walks on water as if it were dry land.Each of Jesus miracles makes use of biblical imagery to proclaim that he is Gods Son, and the only appropriate response is to worship him in that capacity.Following the miraculous feeding miracle, Jesus departs the crowds on the opposite side of the lake after pressing his followers to do so on their own (Matt 14:22-23).I should say that he compelled them to cross the lake in a boat rather than forcing them to do it on their own.The word (v) has a forceful connotation (Judaizers compel Gentiles to be circumcised), but most commentators interpret it as aggressively encouraging the disciples to begin crossing the segregated segregation line.1. As soon as Jesus stepped into the boat, the wind stopped, and everyone was surprised.The danger was no longer a threat.They couldnt comprehend what I was saying.Although they had hardened hearts, Jesus was nevertheless able to assist them despite their lack of comprehension.The story of Mark can inspire us to accept Jesus into our insane, chaotic situations in order to provide tranquility, even when we dont understand how. I remember watching one Daniel also tells us that the chaos of the sea is the origin of the enemies of God (Dan. 7:3), and John, the author of Revelation, repeats the same (Rev. 9 Although I can see him as he passes me, I am unable to recognize him when he passes me. Learn Religions, Sep. 7, 2021, learnreligions.com/jesus-walks-on-water-700220. Christ ascended 40 days after His resurrection. Luke C23 V46, "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.". Jesus both saved Peter from his sins and moved him to share His faith with others. For Christians, this story presents lessons for life that go beyond what meets the eye: By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. When we consider the signs and wonders in recorded in scripture sometimes a natural explanation is found and the wonder is in the timing not physical cause, but on other occasions no natural cause is present. The episode occurs shortly after another miracle, the feeding of the 5,000.This event convinced the 12 disciples that Jesus is indeed the living Son of God.Thus, the story is extremely significant to Christians and the basis for several important life lessons that govern . Yet when Gods enemies attempted to follow them, God brought the same sea that He had stayed from the Israelites back over Pharaohs army (Ex. While he dismissed the multitudes, he immediately ordered his followers to get into the boat and accompany him to the opposite side of the lake.And once he had dismissed the people, he climbed up to the top of the mountain to pray on his own behalf.When the dark arrived, he was alone on the island, but the boat had already traveled a considerable distance from the shore, battered by the waves due to the winds opposition.Afterwards, he came to them during the fourth watch of the night, strolling on the water. The New Testament Bible story of Jesus walking on water is one of the most widely told narratives and key miracles ofJesus. Ex. & The Ministry and Life of Christ. 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!) [24] Rudolf Bultmann pointed out that the sea-walking theme is familiar in many cultures. After this, Israel wandered in the wilderness, and Moses asked God where he could find food for so many people (Num. One reason Jesus stayed on earth for 40 days after His resurrection instead of ascending immediately into heaven was to demonstrate to His followers that He truly was alive. But he straightway spake with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. Merrill Tenney states that the incident is in essence centered on that aspect, rather than their peril or the miracle itself. : essays on Christology, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jesus_walking_on_water&oldid=1133982716, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 12:30. It is, in fact, I.Do not be alarmed. 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