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Sermon Introduction

After feeding the five thousand men, the people recognized Him as the Prophet. Moreover, they wanted to make Him king, probably due to the food He multiplied. Thus, He withdrew to the mountain. He probably stayed up there for hours until the crowd dissipated or until the cover of night. The author would then bring the reader’s attention from the crowd to the core group of disciples.

Steve Bonilla
Elder

John 6:16-21

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, 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.

Notes

After feeding the five thousand men, the people recognized Him as the Prophet. Moreover, they wanted to make Him king, probably due to the food He multiplied. Thus, He withdrew to the mountain. He probably stayed up there for hours until the crowd dissipated or until the cover of night. The author would then bring the reader’s attention from the crowd to the core group of disciples.

1. Evening Boat Ride

   The disciples took a boat when it was already dark. Perhaps they waited for the Lord Jesus to come down from the mountain, but He has not. It seemed that they went ahead and proceeded to Capernaum. Then the sea became rough.

   
   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. (John 6:16- 18).

   
   
   
   

2. Walked On Water

   They saw an unusual phenomenon after rowing through the rough waters for three to four miles. They saw Jesus walking and approaching the boat. Initially, they were frightened. But the Lord eased their fear, saying, “I am.”
   
   19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, 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” (John 6:19-20).
   
   

3. Safely Arrived

   When the disciples realized it was Jesus, they were glad to welcome Him into the boat. Then the boat suddenly reached its destination. Jesus walking on water was another miracle that the disciples witnessed.

   
   21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going (John 6:21).

Application

1. Believe in Jesus

   Once again, the author revealed who Jesus is. He is the “I AM.” Jesus is Lord, Savior, King, and Friend, but we must not forget that He is God. One cannot say that he believes in Jesus if he does not see Christ as God. Therefore, we believe.
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What happened at sea when the disciples set out?

2. What was the miracle that the disciples witnessed at sea?

3. What did Jesus say when He approached the boat? Explain the meaning.