John, Part 23
Series: Give Us This Day, Part 2
John 6:16-21
- Continuing in John with sermon series: “Give Us This Day” (5 parts)
-- Purpose: To examine the command (in discipleship) to follow Him (obediently)
-- Understand: In order to grow it requires us to dig; comes from a desire for Him
-- FOCUS: The application of our belief in Him will help us live faithfully, now!
- Read John 6:16-21 / Pray
- Begin with the obvious takeaways…
1. Jesus's Divine Power:
- He walks on water, a task that is not possible for a human to do!
• He demonstrates control over nature and His divine authority
• Only authority of the Creator (Jn 1:14) could control what has been created!
2. Fear is a natural reaction to uncertainty:
- The disciples' are terrified (a ghost?); but look what He says:
• "Don’t be afraid. I am here!"; He reveals His identity to bring peace
• RE: God does often this for those He loves – even in midst of chaos!
• Discipleship brings Growth which established Trust
- Greek phrase Jesus uses is ego eimi, which means “I AM”
• This is not accidental or even casual Exodus 3:14
• The sea represents chaos, danger, forces opposed to peace God (sin)
• Only I Am can walk on the sea; command waters; bring order to chaos
3. Jesus shows He has complete authority over their uncertainty:
- Don’t miss the contrast of life happening here:
• Just before this we saw the feeding of the 5,000 (“gift of life giver”)
• The darkness of night; turbulent sea symbolize spiritual darkness/rebellion
• Consider: Life without Jesus has no calming rewards in it (chaos)
• Why? B/C life becomes dependent on our works, our ability, our skills
- APP: In truth, we could end right here: everything that we lack Jesus has!
- TR: But – this is NOT the whole story! Read Matthew 14-22-33
- OBV: The account of Matthew is longer than what John records
-- John is writing with a different purpose, audience, and theological emphasis
- SAME: The disciples encountered a storm that seemingly could destroy them
• REM: They went across the sea at Jesus’ direction: He told them to go!
• SEE: Sometimes, obedience can bring hardship; yet Jesus encourages!
- “WHY IS THIS NEEDED?” IMP: Tests shape Faith which builds Strength!
-- Peter wanted to be where Jesus was – asked for ‘proof’ v28
-- But he doubted & succumbed to the ‘challenge’; took his eyes off Jesus v30
- RE: John’s focus is different than the others of similar events - SEE:
1) Jesus’ divine authority over turmoil (the storm in the sea)
2) Jesus’ self-revelation (“It is I” / ego eimi, echoing God’s name)
3) The immediate arrival at their destination (His ability to bring safety)
- CHALL: SEE our opportunity here:
• Matthew emphasizes discipleship, faith, and obedience
o Peter’s attempt to walk on the water fits perfectly with Matthew’s concern for how followers respond to Jesus
• John emphasizes Christology - who Jesus is
o As a result, Peter’s role is unnecessary to John’s narrative goal
- John including Peter’s experience would shift attention away from Jesus
-- It would become more about Peter which is not John’s focus for us to learn
BIG IDEA
• Matthew unpacks this to teach about faith IN the storm
• John shows it to us to reveal the Lord OVER the storm
• It is a deliberate theological choice – one that gives us opportunity to pause
• What are you focused on today? Your story? Or Jesus’s?
Pray
