The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA
The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA
Lesson Plan:
1. The Historical Situation (v 45)
2. Jesus Meeting Contrary Winds (v 46, 47)
3. Contrary Winds (vs 47, 48)
4. Christ Charges the Contrary Winds (vs 48-50)
5. Peter’s New Experience (vs 51, 52)
6. Jesus Enforces Lesson on Faith (vs 53-56)
Lesson Setting:
Time: April A.D. 29. The evening and night following the feeding of the five thousand.
Place: The
north-eastern part of the Sea of Galilee, and the land of Gennesaret on its northwestern shore.
Place in the Life of Christ: Still at work in Galilee. About a year before His death. One of the
crises of His life.
Research Thoughts: Why Christ spent the night in prayer. The Sea of Galilee and its storms Trace the voyage of the Disciples. The power of Jesus over nature. Contrary winds, in life Peter’s experience; how does it apply to us? The voyage of Life
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:45
1. The Historical Situation
Contrary Winds and How Jesus Brought Calm and Good Cheer (A Mirror-Picture of Human Life)
It was the evening of the day in which Jesus had wrought one of the quietest and most unobtrusive of His miracles, which yet was one of the greatest of all. Only a few would be aware of its greatness at first, but the facts would soon spread throughout the multitudes. When they did become aware of it, John tells us (6:15) they thought that Jesus might be the long-expected Messiah, and sought to take Him by force and make Him a king. What a leader this would be whose armies could march into the most barren regions and never think about supplies. And this same mighty power could also strike all His enemies dead.
In this effort of the people to make Him their Messiah King the temptation of Satan in the wilderness was renewed with surpassing power. Jesus had failed to make the Jews recognize Him as the Messiah – Now came His opportunity. There were two pictures of the expected Messiah. One was of a great, magnificent, earthly king, with armies and worldly weapons conquering their Roman oppressors, making Jerusalem the capital of the world, realizing all the visions and ideals of the prophets without the moral and spiritual conditions. Now Jesus with His divine power as shown in this stupendous miracle seemed to the people to be able to fulfill this picture. Here was His opportunity. Should He accept it?
He must fight out His battle alone with God. Therefore “straightway he constrained his disciples” (v 45). Urged, compelled by His authority and influence, contrary to their own natural desires. The disciples were reluctant to go away and leave their teacher alone in this desert place at night. It seemed like disloyalty and desertion, especially if any of the disciples sympathized with those who in their excitement tried to make Jesus a king (Jn. 6:15).
v 45 ... “To get into the ship,” boat, the one they had come in; not very large, for it could be propelled by oars. “And to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida,” toward Capernaum (John); this being the ultimate point to be reached. Bethsaida would be a safe and quiet harbor where they could rest till Jesus came to them in the morning. We infer that He sent them to Bethsaida, which was not far off (Lk. 9:10), at the mouth of the Jordan, directing them to await Him there, so that they would cross together to Capernaum, on the opposite shore, which they actually did, after the miracle. This seems to accord best with details given by the three evangelists.
v 45 ... “While he sent away the people”, which He could do more easily if the disciples went first as an example, and as showing that Jesus had completed His work for the day.
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:46, 47
2. Jesus Meeting Contrary Winds
Jesus was now Himself battling with contrary winds, fierce and raging. The temptation to yield to the people’s idea of the Messiah was very strong. He had conquered once, but now it came with renewed power. The crisis had actually come. He must choose between the Jewish ideal of the Messiah and the divine ideal which He had so far made real in His teaching and His life. It was based on the eternal principles of the kingdom of heaven. But it had seemed to fail in gaining credence. There was a growing opposition to Him and His work, shown in many ways. His heart was filled with grief resulting from the death of the noble John. His own enemies were assailing Him with a hatred that would soon bring about His death. He had many problems to solve, and problems cannot be met and solved in a crowd, or even in a sympathetic company of twelve. Jesus gained the victory; the winds did not cease, but His soul was in the calm of communion with His Father.
v 46 ... “He departed into a mountain to pray,” the mountain to which he had gone when He first came across the lake in the morning. “And as he prayed, the faithful stars in the heavens shone out.”
v 47 ... “And when even was come.” The second or late evening, beginning with sunset. The darkness had now descended upon the whole scene.
v 47 ... “And he alone on the land.” This season of prayer alone with God lasted several hours, for it began in the evening after sunset; and He does not come to His disciples till the fourth watch, or between 3 and 6 o’clock the next morning (Matt. 14:25).
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:47, 48
3. Contrary Winds
Jesus was on the mountain in the midst of His own contending with fierce “contrary winds,” but His eye was also upon His disciples in their boat, for “he saw them toiling in rowing” (v 48). “I will guide thee with mine eye” (Ps. 32:8). Though not in the boat with them as in the storm of a few weeks before, yet He was equally able to help them. The Greek word for ‘toiling’ is very forcible, ‘tortured by the waves.’ The corresponding noun, basanos, is translated torments in Matthew 4:24, “the rack of instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth.” It “originally meant the ‘Lydian stone,’ or touchstone, on which pure gold when rubbed leaves a peculiar mark. Hence naturally a test, then a test or trial by torture. Thus the idea of test gradually passes entirely out of basanos, leaving merely the idea of suffering or torture” (M.R. Vincent, Word Studies). The sea was writhing like a man in agony.
v 48 ... “For the wind was contrary.” From the north or northeast. From any point on the eastern shore, the disciples would require to steer northward in order to reach Bethsaida. But a contrary wind, blowing strongly from the northeast, drove them back far into the sea. The fact that in several hours they had made only about three miles (Jn. 6:19) shows the power of these contrary winds, for several of the disciples were experienced seamen on this lake, well known for its sudden storms; and they could make their way if anyone could. Contrary winds in our experiences of life: In every life there are contrary winds, opposing our progress, interfering with our hopes, fierce temptations urging us from our course of duty. Every mariner on the sea of life faces these contrary winds, even in childhood. Hard duties, heavy burdens, sickness and pain, trials to our strength, trials of our temper, disappointments, poverty, failures, and a hundred other storms. The same is true of the church and the cause of Christ on earth. Recall through what dangers it has passed, what persecutions have almost wrecked it, what false professors have almost sunk it from within; what enemies of every kind have assailed it as with tornadoes and whirlwinds; how it has had to resist false doctrines and perverted truths, and wolves in sheep’s clothing that would eat out its heart. (a) The most foolish thing a man can do is to quarrel with his lot in life. No grumbling can change it. If he will not take to his oars and do his best, he will only drift toward the rocks. (b) But if we do not quarrel with the contrary wind, we can learn to value it. It is after all, struggle and toil, i.e., taking to the oars that will test the stuff we are made of. It is the contrary wind that makes a boy into a man. And yet all these are meant to be a means of strength, training, education, higher character, sweeter harps, higher thrones, and brighter crowns. Jesus will not have His disciples cling only to the sense of His bodily presence, as ivy, needing always an outward support, but as hardy forest trees which can brave a blast; and this time He puts them forth into the danger alone, even as some loving mother bird thrusts her fledglings from the nest, to find their own wings, thus learning to use.
Illustration: An English book, The Duel, is a dream or allegory on the contest between Good and Evil. As in Job, Satan was permitted to try to overthrow a good man by means of sore sickness and dire adversity, but failed, so in this dream Satan attempts to ruin the race by prosperity, and receives permission to remove all Pain, Sickness, and Death. To the sick he said, “Be healed;” to the sorrowful, “Sorrow no more;” to the dying, “I give thee Life;" Joy in the place of Sorrow, Pleasure in the place of Pain, Life in the place of Death. The result was Selfishness in the place of Love; Poetry and Art and Song faded away; Cruelty and Sensuality prevailed; Pain and Sorrow and Death were taken away, but Pleasure and Joy and Life were not imparted.
The wind was contrary: A country weather-cock held a strange motto, “God is love.” When the Irish farmer was asked if he meant to imply that the diving love can be fickle as the wind, his quick reply was, “No, not at all. I meant whichever way the wind blows, God is love; through the cold north wind, the biting east wind, still God is love, as much so as when the warm, genial breezes refresh my fields and flocks.” At the same time it is well to remember that the periods of great stress and of the fierceness of the contrary winds occupied but a small part of the lives of the apostles. As a rule contrary winds are sent to put power, inspiration, discipline, faith and new vision into an ordinary daily life. Troubles are like medicines, not intended to live by. Poor living they make.
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:48-50
4. Christ Changes the Contrary Winds
Jesus comes to His disciples fresh from His own victory over contrary winds: “About the fourth watch of the night” (v 48). Between three and six o’clock in the morning. The night was divided by the Romans into four watches, of about three hours each, from sunset to sunrise. They had been having a hard time, rowing only three miles in some eight hours.
v 48 ... “He cometh unto them, walking upon the sea.” In the extremity of their danger, exhaustion, and despondency, Jesus came to His disciples by His supernatural power over nature. He was and is Lord of every element and force of nature, and could control and wield them at His will. We are not helpless when caught in the machinery of divine law. For our Lord can use the laws of nature even as His children in their lesser sphere can use them.
v 49 ... “It had been a spirit.” The word in the Greek is not the usual one for ‘spirit.’ It was rather an apparition, a ghost, a phantom, a specter, and hence to them a sign of disaster or death. Jesus no doubt would have appeared to them at first like a dark moving speck upon the waters; then as a human figure. He may have been magnified in the dimness of early dawn, as often happens in a midst or in a mirage.
v 50 ... “All saw him, and were troubled.” This was natural. They had no knowledge of what the appearance was. “As it passed onward over the water, seemingly unborne by the waves as they rose, not disappearing as they fell but carried on as they rolled, the silvery moon laid upon the trembling waters the shadows of that form as it moved, long and dark, on their track, coming closer and closer” (Edersheim, Life of Christ). “And they cried out for fear” (Matthew).
v 50 ... “And immediately he ... saith unto them, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” And they recognized His voice. Note: It is not uncommon for Jesus to come to our help in unexpected ways, and we are afraid of His coming even though He is bringing blessings in disguise. While there are many sorrows and contrary winds that are an insoluble mystery, concerning which Jesus says to us, as He once said to Peter, “What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter,” yet there are also many in which Jesus bids us, “Be of good cheer,” and changes the contrary winds into favoring gales. A failure is sometimes the means of larger success; losses, perplexities, sickness, even death may lead to a new and higher life.
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:51, 52 (also read Matt. 14:28-31)
5. Peter’s New Experience
In Matthew we have one incident in this story, which Mark omits. When Jesus drew near the boat, but before the waves had calmed down, Peter said to Jesus, “Lord if it be Thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters.” Commentators have given various reasons for Peter’s request, some of them not very complimentary to Peter, i.e., pride, conceit, desire to out-do the others; but we will be nearer right if we see in his motives, a love of his Master, a natural daring, a desire to express his faith in Jesus, and to confirm it, a natural reaction from his fears of the storm and of the apparition. And Jesus said, “Come.” Make the trial; it is possible for you to walk on the water as I do. Jesus knew that by permitting him to make the trial, Peter would learn some very important lessons. And Peter stepped over the side of the boat, and walked on the water; how far we do not know. But when he looked away from Jesus at the boisterous winds and waves, he was afraid; he failed in faith and courage, and cried out “Lord, save me.” This shows that he still had faith in Jesus. As long as Peter looked away from Jesus to the boisterous waves, he began to doubt, despond, and sink. Jesus stretched forth His hand and lifted Peter up. While holding Jesus’ hand Peter could walk on the rough water. And Jesus said, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” The word translated doubt means to turn irresolutely in two directions. Christ practically said the same to the disciples, when they were amazed at the ceasing of the wind at Jesus’ word ...
v 52 ... “for they considered” (R.V. understood) “not the miracle of the loaves” which had revealed the mighty power of Jesus. He would certainly be as kind to His nearest disciples as to the general multitudes.
v 52 ... “For their heart,” their mental and spiritual nature, “was hardened,” did not receive as quickly as they should have the impression of what Jesus had taught by that miracle.
v 51 ... “The wind ceased.” A beautiful word in the Greek; the wind grew weary, sank away like one who is weary with his fierce struggles, and lies down to rest.
Lessons from Peter’s experience: (a) Peter’s faults were the faults of his virtues. In his good qualities of courage, quickness of apprehension, energy, self-confidence, generous impulses, initiative, devotion to his Master, he excelled the other apostles, and these made him a leader, greatly needed in the church of our Lord. But these qualities constantly need the most training and discipline. There’s an old saying: “The mightiest engine on a railroad is a power that is especially dangerous.” It is not to be saved from doing injury by diminishing its power for good, but by care and wise control, by perfection of its machinery and firm rails. (b) Hence Jesus took special pains with Peter’s training. Nearly all the Lord’s rebukes of the disciples struck Peter first and hardest. Peter was not blamed for daring too much, but for trusting too little. Compare his actions a year later, when he was confronted that he would die with Jesus before he would deny Him, followed so soon by his three denials and repentance. Perhaps this scene among the waves was a preparation for that terrible trial and experience. Peter was that wise man. Experience, like the one we are studying, were a mirror in which he saw himself, his own character, just as he was, and he saw Christ’s finger pointing out the imperfections, and gradually these were cured. (c) The source of danger in courage, hope, optimism, and impulsive energy, lies in relying on powers that are unable to produce the desired results, such as wealth, natural causes, numbers in organizations, beautiful church buildings, self-serving leaders, eloquence, popularity, i.e., things that never did and never can transform the world into the kingdom of heaven. That is looking at the waves and not to Jesus Himself. It is: faith in Jesus the Son of God, the Holy Spirit whom He sends, obedience to the laws of God, devotion, love, and hearts changed by Him. This is what truly gives courage, hope, optimism, and energy their only success.
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:53-56
6. Jesus Enforces Lesson on Faith
After the experience of Peter, and the calming of the sea they came immediately to the land of Gennesaret, near Capernaum, the north wind having driven them that way instead of to Bethsaida, where they had started (v 53; Jn. 6:21). Then Jesus manifested His love and care and power by healing the sick, so freely that even those who but touched the border of His garment were made whole.
