THE STORM AT SEA
#822 THE STORM AT SEA
Scripture John 6:15-24 (Mark 6:34-52) NIV Orig. 2/12/1984
Rewr. 3/27/1990
Passage: John 6:15-24: 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Jesus Walks on the Water
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[a] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
Mark 6:34-52: 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
Jesus Walks on the Water
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Purpose: Continuing the series from John, here depicting the events that took place following the feeding of the multitude.
Keywords: Bible Study Miracle Christ as Saviour
Timeline/Series: Series on John
Introduction
There is a story of a family with a small child visiting in the home of wealthy, and influential people. With the parents distracted, the child stuck his hand through the opening of a rare Chinese vase and then could not extract it. He began to cry, both out of fear for the stuck hand, and concern that he would be punished. His parents and the friends tried in every way to free the boy’s hand. The harder they tried, the louder were the cries from the lad.. boy’s hand was so hopelessly stuck. He had seen a penny in the bottom of the vase and had it clutched in a tightly balled fist. In his childish ignorance, he did not know that by releasing the penny his hand would have slipped free.
Helmut Thielicke has a sermon on prayer in which he refers to John 6:26 (20C/12/p234). “Ye seek me, ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat the loaves, and were filled.” He added, “He (Jesus) miraculously fed the multitude so that behind the event they might catch sight of the true Bread of Life; . . . But the significance of the event was lost on them. It was not ‘transparent’ to them. And so they overlooked this hand entirely, and only hungered after ‘the five barley loaves and two small fish.’ If they had caught sight of the Giver behind the gift, and the Saviour beyond the bread, then this experience would have really meant something to them, and it would have stayed with them all of their lives. . . . We might wander through waterless desert wastes, but God is with us. He can provide us with oases of fresh water. He can also surround us with his peace even when things are going to get worse—so that the thirst cannot do anything further to us. But this gift, which was extended to you in the hour of God’s miracle, you refused. When your cry for bread was answered, you did not say, ‘Glory to God alone!’ or ‘Praise be to God in the highest,’ but you only rubbed your hands across your well-filled stomach and murmured ‘Food!’ Then you rose up to play and forgot the whole thing.”
Too many of us are like the child mentioned earlier. We clutch selfishly the physical symbols of God’s gifts to us, ignoring the deeper meaning of the symbol behind the gift.
The Storm at Sea will address three things: (1) Christ alone at prayer; (2) The disciples at sea and afraid; (3) The multitude discounting the Saviour behind the symbol.
I. Jesus Alone at Prayer: A Sudden Change. V15 “When Jesus perceived that they would come and take him by force, . . . he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”
It is where He and His disciples had been just a few hours earlier. They had discussed the mission: Luke 9:10. They shared tribute for John: Matthew 14:13. Jesus saw a glimmer of His own death.
With the coming of the multitude, Jesus went to them, taught them, fed them. God’s concern is for worldly needs. But His principle concern is that we see Jesus as the “bread of life.” V33 bread of God; V35 bread of life; V51 living bread.
Suddenly, it is as if a different spirit fills the place. Jesus sends the disciples ahead to Capernaum; Matthew and Mark say “constrained”; by force of will He compels them. The multitude is dismissed; “They” v15 see visions of regal splendor, thoughts of Judas Maccabeus. Were the disciples the ring-leaders? Christ had this great power: they were His chief workers. Jesus resorts to the Father. Was He tempted by the crown? Hebrews 4:15: “. . . In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
The prayer, the vision of the cross returns. The afternoon reveals His deity. Close of day, His humanity. Nothing would stay Him from His cross.
Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Lord God?” Nought but prayer will bring us to that place of submission and surrender.
II. We Next Encounter the Disciples on the Boat, at Sea, and Afraid. V18 “And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.” We can safely assume somewhat of thoughts. They saw first hand the feeding. They heard and encouraged the talk of insurrection, not resurrection. Lithuania 4/1990.
They are sent on their way for Christ to recover His sense of mission. They were 4-5 miles from Capernaum. A storm swept in suddenly. By three a.m. had gone 25-30 stadia. “Stadia” provides our “stadium”—distance around a contained oval, or about 600 feet. Compute to 5,000 yards—2-1/2 to 3 miles.
They were confused—King or Messiah or what? Mark 6:48 “distressed”—vex, harass, toil. What they did not know was that Jesus knew their distress. Above 6:48. In the midst of this “storm” Christ appears. With four miles, probably a mile of shore. Dark, and wind disorient them. Some say Jesus was on the beach. If you don’t know a Jesus who can walk on water, you don’t know a Jesus who saves. The “stilling” of storm prior—Mark 4/Matthew 8.
They see Christ as an apparition or a ghost. Common belief of spirit visits. Welcoming them to abode of death. “Be of good cheer,” Matthew and Mark show confidence/courage. “Ego eimi”—“I am,” not “It is I.” Courage not in Jesus being thee. Rather in who Jesus was/is. “I am.” Moses: “I am hath sent thee” very similar in Hebrew to YHWH. Abraham: John 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I am.”
They welcome Jesus on board on His terms, not their own. Have we?
III. The Multitude Makes a Choice. V24 “When the people . . . saw that Jesus was not there, . . . they took shipping . . . and came to Capernaum seeking for Jesus.”
Remember, this is the same crowd from the day before. They had eaten of loaves and fishes. They had been prepared to enthrone. They would have taken up arms against Romans if He had chosen to accept. A day later they have sought Him out. Many apparently left the scene. Some did not, or returned. They saw disciples leave alone. Knowing Capernaum to be center for His activities, (Matthew 4:13f) came there. Following is in synagogue 6:59.
A distinction must be made about those who heard Jesus. The twelve 6:67 “the twelve.” Many “disciples” 6:66 turned away, “went back as before Christ.” Counting on Christ as teacher, provider; not as Saviour. Don’t confuse yourself about one losing their salvation. Not at issue with these “disciples.” V24 “came . . . seeking.” V26 “seek me . . . because . . . you did eat . . . and were filled.”
There were, also, earnest and sincere seekers. They would heed the message. V40 “This is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life.” Jesus, as the bread of life next.
Conclusion
A Texan named Kenneth Reedy went to Bahrain in early 1970 to take advantage of the oil boom. With the help of a local contractor he built an ice cream factory. A few years later, it went bankrupt. The contractor sued, and won. Reedy was forced to give up his passport until the $60,000 was paid. Without a passport, he can only find maintenance jobs. Nothing can help him until someone pays his debt, or the litigant withdraws the lien. It is human sin without Christ.
THE BOY WHO WOULD
#817 THE BOY WHO WOULD
Scripture John 6:1-14 NIV Orig. 1/18/1984
Rewr. 3/23/1990
Passage: Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
Purpose: Continuing our study from John, here examining Jesus’ attention to a scrap of a boy with a scrap of bread, and the meeting of needs.
Keywords: Biographical Miracle of Christ Sacrament Series of John Bible Study John
Timeline/Series: New Testament Character
Introduction
There are two miracles here. We are going to talk at some length about the miracle of Jesus feeding a company in excess of 10,000 people. It is said to be a “large crowd,” and reference is made to “5,000 men.” I hope that we will not become so caught up in the scope of feeding such a crowd that we overlook the message contained within.
The second miracle is that “a lad,” a boy, perhaps eleven to fourteen still possesses his lunch, even though he has been with this crowd for both hours and miles. This is a happening, without concession stands. Through it all, for reasons we cannot imagine, the boy has held on to his lunch.
A good friend who was a scout leader told me of a trip his troop took. They were going whitewater canoeing, and were to be gone three days. They stopped after about two hours on the road for a brief break. Back in the van, fifteen minutes later, he found out that one of his boys had spent every penny he had on the first break.
The boy’s mother had prepared what she could. Evidently, they were poor. The bread identified here was barley, the bitter bread of poor people. Something to accompany the bread was necessary, thus the fish. She prepared him, not only with what fare she could, but forewarned him to eat it sparingly. Evidently, it was she who encouraged him to share.
Not every lad has this good fortune. Ann asked her children, for a science experiment, to bring a can from home. One boy, of age ten or so, replied, “We ain’t got no cans but beer cans.”
I. We Must Look Back at Where They have Been. John 6:1 “After these things, Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee.
Any good Harmony will attest to John’s death just prior to this. Matthew, Mark, Luke all affirm. Matthew 14:13 “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart.” Also, the disciples have just returned from their preaching mission. Luke 9:10 “. . . when they were returned, . . . he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place.”
John’s death was a foregleam of His. The word “desert,” means nothing more than desolate, it was a place apart. John was dead, they needed to assess his death. The disciples had followed Jesus’ guide in preaching. They needed to discuss what had happened.
One other important factor arises. Luke 9:9 “And Herod said, John have I beheaded; but who is this ? . . . And he desired to see him.” The curious followed Jesus daily. Their interest was material not spiritual. He wasn’t looking for a sponsor, certainly not someone like Herod.
There is another factor It is Passover. John 6:4 “And, the Passover . . . was nigh.” Jewish men were required by the Law to be in Jerusalem. (Hezekiah, II Chronicles 30.) Jesus would not be there. His objection was not the feast, but the manner of men in observing.
It was Passover when they found the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple (John 2:13). Luke 2:46f “about my Father’s business.” They occupied themselves searching out leaven, with corrupt hearts. Passover is about the hoped-for Messiah, already rejected. Of what does our spirit convict us in relation to Jesus? Why are we here?
II. Also, We Need to See Where They are Going. “. . . Over the Sea of Galilee . . . to a desolate place belonging to the city called Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). . . up into a mountain.” V3
So, let’s learn a little bit about Bethsaida. A suburb of Capernaum (fishing hub). Just across the narrow north end of lake. Two Bethsaidas, one across the lake. The other at the ford crossing the river lowing into the lake. There is a mountain above. A grassy plain near. The crowd would have had to travel about nine miles.
This has been a busy time for Jesus. John 4:54 Cana, Capernaum, “second miracle.” John 5:1 “Went up to Jerusalem”—paralytic. John 6:1 here as stated. John 7:1 “After this, Jesus walked in Galilee; he would not walk in Jewry, because. . . .”
Jesus moves with the disciples to a place where they can be to themselves. Suddenly, there is a great crowd. John 6:5 “great company come unto him.” They watched as He left. Mark 6:33 “people saw them departing, . . . and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them.”
Jesus needed this time alone, but His compassion was so great, He turns all His energy to the needs of these people.
III. Two Men are Important to this Story. V5 “He saith unto Philip.” V8 “Andrew, . . . saith unto him.” Philip, first of all is from Bethsaida, as were Andrew and Peter. John 1:44. He is asked about a commissary where food may be purchased. His doubt springs not of unavailability, but because they have no funds for such. Rub out pennyworth: put denarius. A day’s wage: thus 6-1/2 months. Philip’s response was not “must we” or “dare we” or “should we,” but “can we.” And he concluded that they could not.
In faith assessments, how do we think? What should we do? What can we do, which regrettably turns to what we cannot do.
What God expects of His people He always makes possible for His people.
At this point, Andrew enters. He, too, knows the area, but it isn’t bakery shops that are brought to mind. What is there on this hillside that will satisfy this need? One feeds his doubt, the other doubts his faith. “There is a lad here, which hath. . . .”
IV. Finally, We See the Boy Who Would. There are those who doubt the story. Jesus could not do such. Others say he could but would not. Matthew 4:3f “command these stones.”
Others suggest Jesus used the boy as a kind of leaven. Others were shamed to share theirs. Andrew didn’t see it that way. V9. Some translators see it as a sacramental meal.
So, here is the boy who would.
The boy who would hear Jesus. Teenagers, how interested are you? Adults, what are they learning of you about Jesus?
The boy who would follow Jesus. He stayed with this crowd all day. He is here on his own. He is more concerned for truth than he is in strutting around.
The boy who would invest in Jesus. What little he has, he gives. He has an open heart toward God.
There is a final direct message for us. Christ is the bread of life for a perishing world. John 6:35. That the message is to be delivered to an impoverished world by those who have to give.
The disciples were left with a remnant to be renewed. A parable, as it were, to share. A reminder of mission, miracle. On the ship, in the dark, the basket could have worked its own miracle. Hebrew Pe'ah—“corner," the portion of the crop that must be left standing for the poor—remnant in trust for the servant. Twelve baskets v. twelve disciples.
THERE IS A LAD HERE
#679 THERE IS A LAD HERE
Scripture John 6:1-14 NIV Orig. 10/29/1961
Rewr. 10/7/1977
Passage: Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
Purpose: To address the need of more careful attention to the proper awareness of children and the care of their potential.
Keywords: Parenthood Miracles of Jesus Feeding of the 5,000
Timeline/Series: Gospel of John
Introduction
Those of you who read Ann Landers with any regularity recall that she occasionally addresses a questionnaire to her readers. I don’t particularly care for this, because the responses are more often from people who are bitter, or who have some burden they just want to unload.
Sometime last year Miss Landers circulated the question, “If you had to do it all over again, would you have children?” In spite of knowing what I do about negativity being more outspoken than positivity, I was shocked that this columnist reported that 70 of the people who responded stated unequivocally that if they had the choice they would retract parenthood, they would choose not to have children.
It must be that I hang around with a different class of people. Oh, I know plenty of parents who are burdened about their children I know others who have experienced their greatest burdens and heartaches in the wake of parenthood. Most of the people I encounter are people who love children, their own if they have been so favored, and also those of other people. In spite of the heartaches and burdens of child-rearing, few of life’s joys exceed the joy of watching a child transform before your very eyes, from a helpless infant, to well-adjusted, mature, thoughtful adult. In the world of nature, we gape at the caterpillar become butterfly. But for sheer wonderment, nothing exceeds the transformation that takes place as the infant begins the slow crawl to adulthood.
Our text this morning contains a lesson in profile of the “lad” whose “presence” was known only to a few. His “potential” was debated by those who knew he was there. His “power” was known only to Christ. And “there is a lad,” and “there are lasses” here, whose presence often is ignored; whose potential is jeopardized; whose power awaits. The kindling of spiritual resources through Christ. And we, like Andrew of old, are the link between them and Jesus.
I. To What Degree do We Acknowledge the Presence of These Children? John 6:8 “One of them, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes.’”
There can be little doubt in anyone’s mind that child-rearing is a risk. (1)There is the risk of abnormality; (2)There is the risk of disease and death; (3)There is the risk of rejection of our values. Give careful consideration to that provoking verse Song of Solomon 3:5, “I adjure you, O daughter of Jerusalem, . . . that you stir not up or awaken love until it pleases.” To love is to be vulnerable to love’s failings. To choose to be a parent is to accept the risks because of the rewards.
You see, the blessing so far outnumber the risks. Ruth 4:14-15 “And the women said to Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman . . . . He shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age. . . .” Deuteronomy 7:12-14 a conditional reward, “Thou shalt be blessed among all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you.”
And do we really understand the importance of submission to “oneness” in parental relationship? Joys are multiplied when shared. Burdens are lessened because they are shared. Illustration: I read a report recently on “Crib Death.” (I Kings 3:19 may be an example of crib death.) The article pointed out that one of the most difficult factors was the tendency of a parent to suffer guilt or even blame, which destroys the marriage.
To understand the presence of the child is to acknowledge that special consideration is to be given that child that he or she might face life with advantage. Illustration: Are you familiar with Menninger Perspective Advice to Parents. They are without specific spiritual content, but all the same, very helpful.
- Don’t disapprove of what a child is—disapprove of what he does.
- Give attention and praise for good behaviour, not bad behaviour.
- Encourage the discussion of rules, but remember that you are the one who should make the final decision.
- Punishment should be swift, reasonable, related to the offense, and certain. It does not have to be severe.
- Throw out all rules you are unwilling to enforce.
- Don’t lecture and don’t warn—youngsters will remember what they think is important to remember.
- Don’t feel you have to justify rules, although you should be willing to explain them.
II. With What Intensity do We Understand the Potential of this Child?
John 6:5 “As Jesus raised his eyes he saw a large crowd coming toward him and he said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread to feed these people?’” Philip had no answer. Andrew had an answer but doubted, “What are they among so many?” Make no mistake about it, the Hand of God is upon the life of each of these children for good. We are told that Jesus first asked Philip “to test his adult faith.” Where are we to buy bread to feed these people?
Why Philip? He was from Bethsaida (John 1:44). Philip would express the human analysis. Even if the bread could be found, it would take 200 denarii. Where would we get that kind of money? (Six months wages.) The probably real reason for the question was simply to give the disciples an opportunity for a faith assessment. How many of us are guilty of heeding responsibility to God and giving human reasons why we cannot live in accord to God’s will.
Don’t look for reasons why you cannot do a thing, look for the means why you must. EXCUSES: TEACHING + COMMITTEE + VISITATION + TIME.
Now don’t lose sight of the little boy, that Jesus knew all the time that he was there and that he held the answer. There are many liberal theologians who back off from the spiritual miracle here and play pretense with a human miracle. No way Jesus could multiply “bread and fishes.” Jesus used the little boy’s lunch to inspire these others to share.
Make no mistake about it brethren, Jesus used “the five barley loaves and two small fishes” to “feed the multitude.” Barley was the bread of the very poor. The required bread of offering for adultery. The pickled fish made the bread palatable. Grace: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord, our God, who causes bread to come forth from the earth.” “When they were filled”--Chortasthēsontai glouténi.
You see, Jesus’ question to Philip will be the catalyst to motivate Andrew to be the instrument through which the humanly worthless little boy is brought to Jesus. And Jesus can take it from there.
III. With What Insight Do We Comprehend the Power that is Available to the World through the Lives of Children? May I borrow from another passage here? Matthew 18:14 “Even so, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” We must, at any cost, be about the business of reaching these little ones with the gospel story. What are you doing about the children in your own home? About those near about?
Illustration: Dr. Gaines Dobbins made a survey at Ridgecrest some years ago that has often been repeated but never altered. The interest was their age at the time of their conversion.
- Under age 8—3%
- Age 9-12—50%
- Age 13-16—30%
- Age 17-24—10%
- Age 25-50—6.5%
- Over 50—negligible
Illustration: Several years ago a leading American magazine came out with an article about the “25 Men Who Rule the World.” I quote, “These then are the men who shape our world. They can be likened unto men seated at the wheels of speeding automobiles, If they have the time, if they have the skill and the alertness and the good will, they can avert the collision that will mean destruction and death. Our fate is in their hands.”
Those men have long since passed from the scene. Others—men and women—have taken their place. Will we be so unfeeling as to let a faithless opportunism determine the kind of people who will be the policy-makers of the future? Will we not determine to be the instrument through whom they may be brought to Jesus, so that He may multiply the gifts that are natural to them?