God Aboard
Opening Prayer
I praise You, Heavenly Father, for the way the natural world yields to Your supernatural power. What a mighty God you are!
Read John 6:16–24
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Creation exists to glorify its Creator (Psa. 148:7–10). How can you do that today?The miracle-eaters, thinking that Jesus was a prophet like Moses (who they believed miraculously fed their ancestors in the desert), ironically plot to offer a paltry human kingdom to the eternal King of kings (14,15)! Meanwhile, Jesus sends his crew ahead by boat while he retreats from the crowd. As they were already far ahead of him on the lake, how else could he
catch up but miraculously (19)? Once more, Jesus shows that he is far more than a Moses, he is God’s Son, “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb. 1:3).
Jesus’ tender care for us is served by his power. Matthew and Mark record that Jesus went out on the water because he saw the disciples in trouble. That’s the kind of God we have. Fathomless depths can’t stop him expressing his love for us (Song of Sol. 8:7).
Fear is a natural response to the unfamiliar (19). Experiencing Jesus’ care helps us to trust that even through alarming displays of supernatural power he intends to bless us. If we let him fully on board we will find that we start to travel with a new pace and purpose (21).
Apply
What are the deep waters threatening to swallow your confidence in God? Write them down so that you can pray over them.
Closing prayer
In your mind, see Jesus walking over the waters towards you through the storm.
Welcome him aboard and receive his peace.
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