November 12, 2010
SAFE TRAVELING
John 6:16-21
Lori Kjeldgaard
Central Truth
We get to experience the miracles of a changed life through Christ, though they may look different from the miracles of Jesus' ministry on earth.
Key Verse | John 6:21
So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. (John 6:21)
John 6:16-21
Jesus Walks on Water
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, 1 6:19 Greek twenty-five or thirty stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
Dive Deeper | John 6:16-21
I love reading through the Gospels. Whether it's Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John's writing, I come away from reading them with a renewed excitement for truth, grace, and the mighty God we serve. Through these books, we see miracle after miracle, each of which points to Jesus being God. Can you imagine what is was like to be one of Jesus' disciples? I often wonder what they felt or where their minds went after seeing these great works with their very own eyes.
Earlier in this chapter, Jesus turned a few pieces of bread and some fish into enough food for a multitude of people—so much that they even had leftovers! I can only imagine that the disciples' minds must have been spinning from what they had just witnessed. I can just hear them as they talked through the day and what they had witnessed.
Next, they look up and see Jesus walking on the stormy water. That's a big day in and of itself, but the Lord was not done. There was another miracle to be had. As He stepped into the boat, they were immediately at their destination. They didn't have to row, they didn't have to float, they were already there. There were no more rocky waves or stormy waters to endure; they were safe on the shore immediately, not five minutes later or even a minute later! They were immediately there. That blows my mind!
The disciples were eyewitnesses to these miracles and got to experience, with all of their God-given senses, what the Lord did in front of them. I love it! Even though we are in a different time and place, as followers of Christ we get to experience miracles day after day just like the disciples. God transforms hearts and minds, and He renews and restores lives. Those are miracles we get to experience.
Discussion Questions
1. What do you think the disciples thought and felt as they witnessed these miracles? As they saw Jesus walk on the water? As they immediately arrived at their destination?
2. What are the miracles in your life that you've been able to witness and testify to others about the Lord?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What were the waters like as the disciples were rowing?
2. After going three miles, how do you think they felt?
3. When they realized it was Jesus on the water, how did the disciples respond?
4. What is going on in your life that is hard? In what areas of your life are you tired of “rowing” and fighting the “storm”?
5. How can you let Jesus into “your boat” and let Him guide your life?