After feed the 5,000 men plus women and children, Jesus sent His disciples across the sea, He was alone on the mountain praying. He was regaining His strength and enjoying communion with the heavenly Father. “…the disciples in the boat were now in the middle of the sea (about three miles away), tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! IT IS I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, IF IT IS YOU (didn’t Jesus just say “IT IS I”), command me to come to You on the water.” (Matt. 14:24-28)
Peter was always eager to do whatever He thought would please Jesus, “So Jesus said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water TO GO TO JESUS. But WHEN HE SAW that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid (Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and saw the rough sea); and BEGINNING TO SINK HE CRIED OUT, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, WHY DID YOU DOUBT?” (Matt. 14:29-31) James teaches, “If any of you lacks, let him ask of God, who GIVES TO ALL LIBERALLY (generously), and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, WITH NO DOUBTING, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea DRIVEN and TOSSED by the wind.” (James 1:5-6)
The next great miracle in this story is; The Sea of Galilee is about 13 miles long and more than seven miles wide. Rowing from a point north of Gergesa on a northwesterly course to Capernaum would be a distance of just over six miles; they were halfway there, held up by the storm. “…they were eager to let Jesus in the boat, and IMMEDIATELY THEY ARRIVED at their destination!” (John 6:21)
Jesus was revealing some hard facts about following Him, “…many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of ETERNAL LIFE.” (John 6:66-68) Then Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who BELIEVES IN ME, the works that I do HE WILL DO ALSO; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:12-13)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham