Wanting a King… vs. 22-23

• 1^st – Wrong motive… vs. 22
  • Bread and Fish…
    • Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side!
    • Jesus had just fed FIVE thousand men [plus their wives and kids]
    • This was a remarkable MIRACLE – and the people were very EXCITED…
    • The crowds began to proclaim: Jesus is THE prophet – Deuteronomy 18:15
    • And they were ready to MAKE Him their KING – John 6:15
    • Even the DISCIPLES seemed to get caught up in the excitement…
    • Therefore – Jesus IMMEDIATELY commanded His DISCIPLES get into the boat…
    • They needed to GO – Jesus would meet them on the other side of the sea!
    • People get elected today just because they paint a basketball court…
    • Imagine if someone was able to feed THOUSANDS of people with FIVE loaves and TWO fish!
  • Sent away…
    • [Then Jesus] sent the multitudes away!
    • Jesus had NOT come to give people BREAD and FISH…
    • He came to give them ETERNAL life – He came to DIE for our sins…
    • And Jesus did NOT want people to make Him KING for the WRONG reason…
    • Therefore – He encouraged [subjunctive] the people go home!
    • John 6:26 – “You seek Me… [only] because you ate of the loaves and were filled!”
    • People come to Jesus for a lot of WRONG reasons…
    • Many come because of PROBLEMS [no money – food] – others come to be HEALED…
    • And Jesus will meet them where they are – He does PROVIDE and HEAL…
    • But ONLY those who come for the RIGHT reason are willing to STAY…
    • Jesus will only become the KING for those who are seeking ETERNAL life!
  • Right motive…
    • The people did NOT give up – the NEXT day they went looking for Jesus – John 6:22-25
    • They sailed across the SEA – just to so they could get another FREE meal [hungry again]
    • But when they found Jesus – He corrected their WRONG motive!
    • John 6:27 – “Do not labor for food that perishes – but [that] which endures to everlasting life.”
    • Too many people WASTE their lives chasing after things that do NOT last…
    • They STRIVE to get LOTS of money – that disappears and quickly as it comes – Haggai 1:6
    • They CRAVE for food – but are hungry again in a few hours…
    • Then WORK out to be healthy – but in the end still get sick and die – I Timothy 4:8
    • Rather than put their TIME and ENERGY into the one thing that is ETERNAL!
    • Matthew 6:20 – “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven!”
• 2^nd – Refreshed… vs. 23
  • Prayer…
    • When He had sent the multitudes away He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. 
    • Recall the reason why Jesus was there in the first place was because of a HEAVY heart…
    • The death of John the Baptist had been an ominous foreshadowing of His own death…
    • And the reaction of the crowd only further weighed on His heart…
    • The people who He had come to give ETERNAL life – ONLY wanted FOOD…
    • No doubt all of this was VERY discouraging – even His disciples were not getting it…
    • Therefore – Jesus went to the only place He could find comfort and strength – PRAYER!
    • PRAYER is NOT some ritual that God expects from us on a daily basis…
    • PRAYER is where we get COMFORT when life falls apart [bread and fish]
    • PRAYER is where we get POWER to face the challenges that are coming [cross]
  • Not alone…
    • Now when evening came – He was alone there!
    • There is one FINAL thing that PRAYER gives to us…
    • Once the CROWDS had left – and the DISCIPLES were off in the boat…
    • Jesus was ALONE [μόνος] on the mountain – but yet NOT alone…
    • Because although everyone else had LEFT – the FATHER was there with Him in PRAYER!
    • No matter what CHALLENGE we are facing in life…
    • Even if EVERYONE else has walked away from us – and we feel ALONE…
    • PRAYER gives us access into the THRONE room of heaven – where we find GRACE!
    • Hebrews 4:16 – “Come boldly to the throne of grace… and find grace to help in time of need.”

• 2^nd – Walking on Water… vs. 24-33
  • 1^st – Another storm… vs. 24
    • Stuck in the middle…
      • The boat was now in the middle of the sea tossed by the waves – for the wind was contrary!
      • After hours of ROWING – the DISCIPLES were only HALF way across the sea…
      • A strong WIND was [imperfect] causing the boat to be TOSSED [imperfect] by the waves…
      • TOSSED [βασανίζω] – meaning to TORTURE to a breaking point!
      • The Sea of Galilee is quite small – only about THIRTEEN kilometers across [east to west]
      • But it sits TWO hundred meters below sea level – while Mount Hermon is 2800 meter high…
      • Cold air sweeps down from the Mountain – hitting the hot air of the Sea – HUGE storms…
      • The little fishing boats [2 meters wide] could quickly be BROKEN by the waves!
    • Doubting…
      • Jesus told the DISCIPLES to GO to the other side – but He did NOT say it would be easy…
      • It was so difficult they might have considered turning back…
      • Because no matter how HARD they tried – the WIND was too strong!
      • When the Lord calls us to step out in FAITH – it is EASY to say yes Lord…
      • But when things get TOUGH – it is also EASY to give up and go home…
      • Following Jesus is NOT a guarantee of an EASY life – it guarantees of ETERNAL life…
      • He MAKES it difficult – so we have to learn to depend on Him – II Corinthians 12:9
  • 2^nd – Always watching… vs. 25
    • Jesus saw them…
      • Mark 6:48 – “[Jesus] saw them straining at rowing…”
      • From the mountain top – Jesus could see the little boat crossing the sea…
      • Jesus let them STRUGGLE in the storm – but He NEVER stopped watching out for them!
      • Like a little child learning to walk – with the parents never far away…
      • Jesus will let us STRUGGLE and wobble along – so that we LEARN to WALK by faith…
      • But He is also right there to pick us up if we fall down!
    • Trust the Word…
      • Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them – walking on the sea!
      • In the fourth watch – just before DAWN [between 3-6am]
      • After the DISCIPLES had rowed about FIVE kilometers – John 6:19
      • Jesus came WALKING on the WATER towards them!
      • Mark 6:48 – “Walking on the sea – and would have [θέλω] passed them by.”
      • This was NOT the first time the disciples had been in a STORM – Matthew 8:24
      • Jesus had told them to meet Him on the others side – and PROVEN they would get there…
      • Now He was walking across [they had the boat] to meet them!
      • It does NOT matter what the STORMS looks like – the WAVES might be HUGE…
      • And even if it seems like we are going NOWHERE – we are struggling…
      • All we need to do is remember what Jesus said – because His WORD is always TRUE!
      • II Corinthians 1:20 – “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes – and in Him Amen!”
  • 3^rd – Do not be Afraid… vs. 26-27
    • Assumptions… vs. 26
      • When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea they were troubled saying: 
      • It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear!
      • As Jesus walked past the DISCIPLES – He terrified them…
      • The Sea of Galilee is NOT shallow – 43 meters deep in the middle…
      • And since people CANNOT walk on water – they ASSUMED He was a GHOST [φάντασμα]
      • Therefore – they SCREAMED [κράζω] in fear at the sight of Him!
      • Many years ago I was on a missions trip to Nepal…
      • We lost track of one person – and I wanted to get a better vantage to see if I could find them…
      • There was a dock that extended out into the lake – but it was about a FOOT underwater…
      • I walked out into the lake on the dock [no railings] – only to find the team laughing at me…
      • To them it looked like I was WALKING on the WATER!
      • Things are NOT always what they appear to be…
      • If we are ONLY looking with our eyes – we can easily be deceived…
      • GHOSTS do NOT exists – people die and go to heaven or hell – II Corinthians 5:8
      • What people think are GHOSTS – are more likely demonic tricks!
    • Truth… vs. 27
      • Immediately Jesus spoke to them saying: Be of good cheer! It is I – do not be afraid!
      • Jesus commanded [imperative] the DISCIPLES to be HAPPY [θαρσέω] 
      • The DISCIPLES were NOT [imperative] to be AFRAID…
      • Because the I AM [ἐγώ εἰμι] – name of God – was there – Exodus 3:14
      • The TRUTH is that God is on our side – so we NEVER have to be afraid…
      • We do NOT need to worry about WIND and WAVES [our circumstances]
      • We do NOT need to fear the demonic – I John 4:4
      • Because God is on our side – we will always have the VICTORY – Romans 8:31
  • 4^th – Walking with Jesus… vs. 28-29
    • Speak then think… vs. 28
      • Peter answered Him and said: Lord if it is You – command me to come to You on the water!
      • What happens next is ONLY recorded in the Gospel of Matthew [not Mark or John]
      • Peter ANSWERED – but Jesus NEVER asked a question…
      • Peter was SCARED – and likely just spoke to say SOMETHING…
      • I am NOT sure this shows His great faith – as much as his BIG mouth…
      • SINCE [indicative] it was the Lord [κύριος] – He must [imperative] command Peter to come!
      • How many times have we been in a place where we did not know what to say…
      • So we just said SOMETHING – and after we wished we had NOT…
      • That was Peter – he spoke FIRST then thought about what he just said!
    • Accepting the offer… vs. 29
      • [Jesus] said: Come! And when Peter had come down out of the boat.
      • He walked on the water to go to Jesus!
      • Jesus used Peters BIG mouth – and commanded [imperative] him to COME…
      • And Peter did – he got OUT of the boat and WALKED on the water…
      • We often give Peter a hard time because he ends up SINKING…
      • But Peter is the ONLY other person than Jesus – to have ever WALKED on water!
      • When Jesus commands us to do the IMPOSSIBLE – how do we respond…
      • It is EASY to stay in the BOAT – for sure we will NOT sink…
      • But ONLY those who are willing to STEP out – get to do the IMPOSSIBLE…
      • It does NOT matter if we think WE can – it only matters what GOD can do!
      • II Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith – not by sight.”
  • 5^th – Little Faith… vs. 30-31
    • Wrong focus… vs. 30
      • When he saw that the wind was boisterous he was afraid!
      • Peter stepped OUT of the boat – so he could get CLOSER to Jesus…
      • But once he was ON the water – he saw the WIND [invisible]
      • NOTE: it does NOT say he saw the WAVES – he was AFRAID of WIND [fear of the unknown]
      • And because he took his eyes OFF of Jesus – that is what made him [aorist] AFRAID!
      • FEAR comes from ONLY one place – taking our eyes OFF the LORD…
      • Because now we are looking at the [potential] PROBLEM not the SOLUTION…
      • So when it feels like the WAVES of life are going to SINK us…
      • All we have to REMEMBER – Jesus is the one who CREATED the WAVES…
      • And He walks on those WAVES [our circumstances] showing us we do NOT need to be afraid!
    • Shortest prayer… vs. 30
      • Beginning to sink he cried out saying: Lord save me.
      • Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him!
      • Peter was NOT just sinking – he was DROWNING [καταποντίζω]
      • And he CRIED out the shortest PRAYER in the Bible – Lord [κύριος] save [imperative] me…
      • IMMEDIATELY [third time in this chapter] – because Jesus NEVER hesitates…
      • He reached out His hand – caught Peter and pulled him up…
      • NOT into the boat – they are BOTH still standing on the WATER!
      • The answer when we are SINKING is simple – LOOK to Jesus…
      • God does NOT require LONG or FANCY prayers – just call out to Him…
      • But His help does NOT mean He will take us out of the STORM…
      • It means that He will give us the ability to STAND in the midst of it – Ephesians 6:13
    • Double minded… vs. 31
      • [Jesus] said to him: O you of little faith – why did you doubt?
      • DOUBT [διστάζω] – pulled TWO ways [caught between two ideas]
      • Peter had enough FAITH in Jesus to get out of the boat…
      • But he also had enough FEAR of the WIND [what might be] to take his eyes off the Lord…
      • And FEAR won the tug of war – so that Peter ended up with LITTLE faith [ὀλιγόπιστος]!
      • Romans 12:3 – “God has dealt to each one a measure of FAITH.”
      • We all have FAITH – but we might wonder if are FAITH is big or small…
      • Jesus would explain this when the disciples asked Him to INCREASE their FAITH!
      • Luke 17:6 – “[All that is needed is the] faith of a mustard seed…”
      • FAITH is not about QUANTITY or QUALITY – it is about WHO we are LOOKING to…
      • If we are looking at our CIRCUMSTANCES – then we have LITTLE faith…
      • But if we put our eyes on Jesus – then by FAITH we can do the IMPOSSIBLE!
  • 6^th – Wind and Waves… vs. 32
    • When they got into the boat – the wind ceased.
    • Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him saying: Truly You are the Son of God!
    • The moment Jesus came into the boat – the WIND stopped…
    • For the SECOND time the DISCIPLES saw who was in control – Matthew 8:27
    • It was NOT the WIND and WAVES [circumstances] – it was the I AM [ἐγώ εἰμι] who made them…
    • And the DISCIPLES came and WORSHIPED [προσκυνέω] – the Son of God!
    • We serve a God – who created the UNIVERSE with a WORD – Genesis 1:1
    • There is NOTHING that is impossible for Him – Luke 1:37
    • Our CIRCUMSTANCES [wind and waves] obey His COMMAND…
    • He is the one who ALLOWS them to come – and He is the one who can CALM them!

• 3^rd – Knowing Jesus… vs. 34-36
  • 1^st – East side… vs. 34
    • Back to Gennesaret …
      • When they had crossed over they came to the land of Gennesaret!
      • Gennesaret [כִּנְּרוֹת] – old Hebrew name for the Sea of Galilee…
      • Refers to the area on the east side of the Sea – called the Decapolis [ten cities]
      • Also known as the Gergesenes [גִּרְגָּשִׁי] – Matthew 8:28
      • Gergishites were the original Canaanite [pagan] dwellers of that area…
      • They were supposed to have been CAST out by Israel – Deuteronomy 7:1
    • Legion…
      • This is where Jesus met LEGION – the men possessed by MANY demons…
      • They were cast out into PIGS [compromised Jews] – who then drown in the sea…
      • When the men of the city came to what happened – and saw the POSSESSED men healed…
      • They PLEADED with Jesus to GO away – Matthew 8:34
      • The men who had been possessed wanted to go with Him – but Jesus told them NO…
      • He wanted them to STAY – and share all the Lord had done for them – Mark 5:19
  • 2^nd – Different response… vs. 35
    • When the men of that place recognized Him.
    • They sent out into all that surrounding region [and] brought to Him all who were sick!
    • Because the POSSESSED men [legion] had stayed and told others about Jesus…
    • The people there KNEW Jesus [ἐπιγινώσκω] – and KNEW what He could do…
    • Therefore they sent out the word [ἀποστέλλω] – calling EVERYONE to come…
    • And they brought to Jesus – ALL [πᾶς] who were SINNERS [κακός]!
      
    • The world REJECTED Jesus – they prefer their SIN – John 3:19
    • But God saved us and then LEFT us here [not in heaven yet] – so we can tell others about Jesus…
    • He sends us out [ἀποστέλλω] to tell EVERYONE [πᾶς] about the Gospel…
    • What makes SINNERS [κακός] change their mind – want to KNOW [ἐπιγινώσκω] Jesus…
    • They HEAR about what God has done in our lives [set us free]!
  • 3^rd – Hem of the Clothing… vs. 36
    • The Word…
      • [They] begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. 
      • They came along side [παρακαλέω] Jesus – so they might [subjunctive] touch the HEM!
      • The hem of a Jewish shirt is very SPECIAL – it has FOUR blue tassels hanging from it…
      • They were meant to REMIND the people about the WORD of God!
      • Numbers 15:38-39 – “Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach the tassels at each corner with a blue cord.  The tassels will remind you of the commands of the LORD – that you are to obey his commands instead of following your own desires and going your own ways – as you are prone to do.” [NLT]
    • Saved…
      • And as many as touched it were made perfectly well!
      • ANYONE who touched the WORD – was [passive] SAVED [διασῴζω]
      • When people come to us and want to KNOW why we are different…
      • The answer we give to them is the WORD of God…
      • Because it is the WORD changes us – so we do NOT go our own way [as we are prone to do]
      • It is the WORD that saves [διασῴζω] us – and gives us new life…
      • The blessing is that WORD is for ALL sinners [κακός]
      • It does NOT matter if they have rejected Jesus in the PAST…
      • Today is a new day – new opportunity – when we can bring them to the Lord!