UNDER HIS FEET
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for giving me your Word and for speaking to me through it. Help me to hear your voice in ways that enable me to grow in faith and live a life pleasing to you.
Read JOHN 6:16–24
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Walks on the Water
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,[a] 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.
Footnotes
- John 6:19 Or about 5 or 6 kilometers
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
‘We have an anchor that keeps the soul / steadfast and sure while the billows roll; / fastened to the Rock which cannot move, / grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love!’1
Rowing across the Sea of Galilee, with darkness falling, winds howling and waves rising high (vv. 17, 18), must have been terrifying for the disciples. In the midst of the storm, what a spectacularly frightening sight it must have been to see Jesus walking toward them on the water!
Most people, knowing the unpredictability of the sea, have a healthy fear of it. For the ancient Jews, it was more than this, because the sea symbolized the forces of chaos which could not be controlled or contained by human beings. Anyone able to command the sea was seen as exercising divine power. Some Old Testament figures received God’s power to part the waters,2 but no one had ever walked on water as Jesus did: ‘[God] alone … treads on the waves of the sea’ 3 By declaring, ‘It is I’ (v. 20), Jesus associated himself with that divine ‘I am’ who appeared to Moses in the burning bush4—an identification made more explicit in his ‘I am the bread of life’ discourse that takes up the rest of chapter 6. In the presence of the divine, human beings rightly tremble, so Jesus reassured his frightened disciples: ‘don’t be afraid’ (v. 20). Although not specifically termed a ‘sign’ in John’s gospel, walking on the water points to Jesus’ power and authority: ‘God placed all things under his feet.’5
Jesus has promised to be with us always but, in the absence of a visible, tangible presence, the storms of life that rise up against us in our faith journey can be confusing and frightening. It is reassuring to remember that when it feels as if we are in over our heads, the Lord who trod the waves underfoot has not lost control.
Apply
Create a tangible reminder of God’s powerful presence—perhaps a line from a song or Scripture verse as your screensaver—that can serve as encouragement in turbulent times.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, you not only showed your power over nature, you proved your power over death. Surely, there is nothing too hard for you. Thank you that your great power is always at work in me, through me, and for me.
1 ‘We Have an Anchor’, PJ Owens, 1829–1907. 2 Exod 14:21; Josh 3:14–17; 2 Kings 2:8, 14 3 Job 9:8 4 Exod 3:14 5 Eph 1:22
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