Read
Jesus Walks on the Water
(Matthew 14.22-27; Mark 6.45-52)
16That evening, Jesus' disciples went down to the lake. 17They got into a boat and started across for Capernaum. Later that evening Jesus had still not come to them, 18and a strong wind was making the water rough.
19When the disciples had rowed for five or six kilometers, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He kept coming closer to the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said, “I am Jesus! Don't be afraid!” 21The disciples wanted to take him into the boat, but suddenly the boat reached the shore where they were headed.
The Bread That Gives Life
22The people who had stayed on the east side of the lake knew that only one boat had been there. They also knew that Jesus had not left in it with his disciples. But the next day 23some boats from Tiberias sailed near the place where the crowd had eaten the bread for which the Lord had given thanks. 24They saw that Jesus and his disciples had left. Then they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Jesus.
Reflect
The disciples had just experienced something incredible. Five thousand people fed with only a small lunch. I believe that miracle was more about showing the identity of Jesus than anything else. What the crowds and the disciples saw Jesus do began to inform their belief about who he really is.
It’s one thing to believe Jesus is from God. It’s another thing entirely to believe he is God.
But as they saw Jesus walk across the water in the storm, and then calm the winds and miraculously transport their little boat to their destination in an instant, everything the disciples knew about God was coming into focus.
God is the One who has walked on the sea (Job 9:8).
God is the One who can save sailors and ships, calming storms and gales (Psalm 107:23-31).
Perhaps God might have shared his power with Jesus and allowed him to multiply the food. But now the disciples saw not only God’s power, but God himself, in Jesus, doing things that God alone can do. And they were afraid.
The disciples saw that Jesus is God. They were friends of God. God was coming for a boat ride. Creator. Judge. Provider. Protector. Healer. The Great I Am. In their boat.
God revealed this so clearly to his disciples. Yet, he veiled this revelation for the crowds on the beach. They could see evidence that he was gone, and where he had ended up. But how had he gotten there? This didn’t make sense. Only God can do that!
God the Father wants us to know that his Son Jesus is God. He wants us to get in that boat and experience what it is like to know Jesus so well that we recognize the almighty God when we see him.
Respond
Creator God, Jesus my Saviour, You have clearly shown me your power and your divinity. Help me to know you so well that I would gladly welcome you into my “boat” yet revere you as the almighty God you are. Amen.
Carla Anne Coroy
Carla Anne Coroy is a Christian Life Coach, speaker, and award-winning author of Married Mom, Solo Parent. She ministers with CBMC Canada a group facilitator of The Way (Church Renewal). She is passionate about mentoring and spiritual growth. She is a gifted communicator who is motivated to see others reach their full potential, and live passionately and intimately with Jesus. She founded Refinery Transformation Solutions as a business dedicated to serving men and woman through coaching. Carla Anne is continually developing materials and resources for those she mentors, coaches and trains. Her goal is to live each day with the joy of Christ and her eyes set firmly on eternity. She shares her home with many others from various stations in life, and savours time with her adult children and 6 grandchildren. Publications: Married Mom, Solo Parent (Kregel Publications, 2011)