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.
53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Question 1
Do you think seeing a miracle would help you believe in Jesus Christ?
Question 2
What kinds of things do the people you know say about Jesus?
Reading this story of Jesus walking on the water and the reaction of the disciples, you feel that the disciples still couldn’t see what was under their noses. They had been traveling with Jesus, spending every day in his company, had seen all his miracles, and they still didn’t understand. Even after the last miracle they saw of feeding the five thousand, they can’t believe that Jesus can walk on water and so they become scared, and then bewildered.
Given this, looking at the reaction of the people is even more remarkable. As these people see Jesus, they immediately realise who He is. They don’t hesitate at all, but start rushing to bring people to Jesus so he can heal them. They didn’t doubt at all, instead they came in faith.
The disciples had spent all that time in the company of Jesus, and yet they hadn’t understood who he really was. On the other hand, these strangers had immediately seen who Jesus was, had run to him and received healing. Is there a danger that we spend a lot of our time going to church and youth group, yet we don’t know Jesus?
Question 3
What do you think Jesus wanted to show the disciples by walking on the water?
Question 4
How do you think the disciples felt when they realized it was Jesus?
Pray
that God will allow you to see that Jesus is the King who can save you, believe in him, and run to him.
