Strolling On The Water

Strolling on the water

This event happens right after the feeding of the five thousand.

The disciples had not really paid attention that this was a miracle - how could they miss that?

What is faith? There are different types Faith to move mountains, saving faith, doctrine, belief, spiritual gift of faith, substance of things hoped for, etc. Are they all the same, or are they really different? When we believe in something, what derives from that belief?

Matthew 14:22-24 - sent ahead - hit storm

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Why did Jesus make them go alone out on the lake when it was a stormy night?

Do you ever feel like you are in the storms of life and all alone to fend for yourself?

If you could always see Jesus and He was always holding your hand, would your faith ever grow?

John 11:6-15 - Jesus waited another 2 days before raising Lazarus

6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Jesus sometimes has something to teach the disciples about Himself.

He taught them about the feeding of the 5000.

He’s teaching them about His power over the wind and waves.

He will teach them about His power over death.

We need these to understand that He does have the power to save us!

Matthew 14:25-27 - Jesus arrives - don’t be afraid

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

We like to think we know Jesus but if He appeared to us would we recognize Him?

What would He say to us?

My oldest daughter growing up was so brave and would stand in front of me so bravely.

If I ever backed up and she could sense I wasn’t there, she immediately would run back to me.

My youngest daughter spent a lot of time hiding behind my leg and was always very shy.

How are you spiritually? Are you brave? Are you shy? Do you run back to Jesus in the storm?

John 20:24-29 - Not seen and yet believed

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus said to Thomas in another story, more blessed it is for those who do not see yet believe.

Faith takes more than just seeing to believe but our faith brings us to realize He can do anything and we don’t have to see Him do everything to believe that He can do everything. We learn that He can do everything from just seeing a few things He did.