John 6:16–21 - 16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, the disciples got into their boat to cross the Sea of Galilee after Jesus told them to go ahead without Him. As they rowed toward Capernaum, darkness fell, and strong winds created large waves (vv. 16-18). After rowing about three or four miles in the rough water, they spotted Jesus walking on top of the sea toward their boat. They became very afraid, but He called out to them, "It is I; do not be afraid" (vv. 19-20). When they brought Jesus into the boat, they immediately arrived at their destination on the other side (v. 21).
How can I apply John 6:16-21 to my life?
Today, we read about a storm that hits the disciples as they try to cross the sea of Galilee as Jesus had instructed them to do. This is the same thing that happens to believers today. Following Jesus does not guarantee smooth sailing through life. Financial pressures hit hard. Medical reports bring devastating news. Relationships fall apart without warning. Work situations turn bad in a heartbeat. And in the middle of these storms, we begin to doubt and question: "Does Jesus see what is happening to me? Why would allow this into my life?" The disciples probably asked similar questions as they battled wind and waves in the darkness. But this passage also shows us an fundamental truth - Jesus not only saw their struggle, He demonstrated His absolute power over it. By walking on water, calming their fears, and instantly transporting their boat to shore, Jesus proved He rules over every storm we face. His supernatural power still works in our lives today. Physical storms, emotional turmoil, and spiritual battles all bow to His authority. When problems tower over us like massive waves, we need to focus on the One who commands those waves. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Trust Jesus When Storms Come While Following Him (vv. 16-18): Late that night, the disciples battled fierce waves - all because they listened to Jesus and got into the boat. Strange how life works. We follow God's clear direction, yet suddenly find ourselves in the middle of a raging storm. The disciples could not have seen it coming. These storms show up in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it is a sudden job loss that rocks our financial security. Other times, a doctor's report turns our world upside down. Or maybe relationships crack under pressure, leaving us feeling lost and alone. What makes these trials even harder? We were just doing what Jesus said! Satan loves to jump in during these moments. "See what happens when you follow God?" he whispers. But Jesus has different plans for these storms. Through each crashing wave, He builds something deeper in us - a trust that goes beyond our own strength or understanding. Picture those disciples in their boat. Wind howling. Waves splashing over the sides. Total darkness except for occasional flashes of lightning. Yet they kept rowing. That is what real faith looks like. Not the sunshine-and-rainbows kind, but the keep-going-when-you-cannot-see-the-shore kind. Their experience speaks to us today. Going through hard times while following Jesus does not mean we took a wrong turn. Instead, these challenges prove our faith is genuine and show others that Jesus is worth trusting - even in the darkest night. Through every storm, Jesus watches closely, using each one to prepare us for what lies ahead. His timing and methods might puzzle us, but His purposes never fail (Psalms 107:28-30, Isaiah 43:2, James 1:2-4).
Food for Thought: What storm are you facing right now while trying to follow Jesus? How has God used past storms to grow your trust in Him?
2. Take Courage in Jesus' Power Over Every Storm (vv. 19-20): The disciples were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the water toward their boat in the storm. Fear often grips us when circumstances look impossible and problems tower over us like massive waves. God wants us to learn that our fears shrink when we focus on Jesus's unlimited power rather than the size of our problems. His command "It is I, do not be afraid" speaks into every frightening situation we face. Jesus shows His authority over nature, demons, sickness, and death throughout the Gospels, proving He has total control over everything that threatens us. When anxious thoughts attack us, we can stand firm because the same Jesus who walked on water watches over our lives. Nothing catches Him by surprise or falls outside His authority. The storms that look big to us are nothing to Him. Life's challenges become opportunities for us to experience His supernatural power working on our behalf. Our part involves choosing to believe His promises instead of giving in to panic. We do not need to understand how Jesus will solve our problems - we just need to trust that He can and will act according to His perfect plan. His power over the storm proves He is Lord over every detail of our lives. When we grasp this truth, peace replaces fear, and we can face trials with confident faith. The same voice that calmed the sea still speaks peace to troubled hearts today (Psalms 46:1-3, Matthew 28:18, Philippians 4:6-7).
Food for Thought: What current situation makes you feel afraid or overwhelmed? How would viewing your problem through the lens of Jesus's unlimited power change your response to it?
3. Rest in Jesus' Ability to Complete His Work in Your Life (v. 21): The disciples welcomed Jesus into their boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination. The rushed and stressful journey turns peaceful and productive when we welcome Jesus into our current situation. So many people struggle through life trying to reach their goals by their own strength and wisdom. Life becomes exhausting when we fight against winds of opposition in our own power. Jesus stands ready to bring His supernatural help into every area where we feel stuck or overwhelmed. His presence changes everything - turning our weakness into strength, our confusion into clarity, and our failures into victories. When we open our hearts fully to His work in our lives, He speeds up the spiritual growth process in ways we never imagined possible. The storms that seemed ready to sink us become platforms for seeing His glory and power at work. Jesus knows exactly where He wants to take us spiritually, and He has the power to get us there despite any obstacle. Our part involves staying teachable and keeping our hearts open to His leading day by day. Problems that looked impossible to solve suddenly find solutions when we let Jesus take control. He moves us forward in His timing and His way, often bringing breakthrough moments when we least expect them. The same power that instantly transported the boat to shore works in our lives today to accomplish God's purposes. Jesus finishes what He starts, taking His children all the way to spiritual maturity as they trust in His faithful care (Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:28-29, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).
Food for Thought: What area of your spiritual life seems stuck right now? How does knowing Jesus will complete His work in you bring hope to that situation?
The account of Jesus walking on water shows His absolute authority over everything that threatens His followers. The disciples learned life-changing lessons that night about trusting their Master in frightening situations. Their experience speaks directly to believers today who face storms while following Jesus. When problems surge around us like angry waves, Jesus sees our struggles and comes to help in unexpected ways. His power over nature, demonstrated by walking on water, proves He rules over every difficulty we encounter. Nothing lies beyond His control or catch Him by surprise. The key to experiencing His supernatural help involves welcoming His presence and trusting His timing. Jesus often uses storms to build our faith and show us His glory. The same power that instantly transported the disciples' boat to shore still works in believers' lives today. God allows trials to strengthen our trust in Jesus and prepare us for greater service. Every storm becomes an opportunity to see His faithfulness and grow closer to Him. The disciples' boat reached its destination when they welcomed Jesus aboard - and He still brings His followers safely through life's storms today.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would strengthen my trust in You when life's storms crash into my path without warning. The disciples saw Jesus walking on water that night - such an incredible display of Your power! Like them, I often feel overwhelmed by waves of trouble that threaten to pull me under. Show me how to keep my eyes fixed on You instead of the storms.
Sometimes following You leads straight into rough waters, Lord. The medical reports come back negative. Bills pile up faster than solutions. Relationships crack and break apart. I pray that You would steady my heart during these dark moments and help me hear Your voice above the howling winds of difficulty.
Jesus demonstrated His total authority over nature that night, and I pray You would burn that truth deep into my soul. When problems tower over me like massive waves, teach me to trust Your unlimited power. Break through my fears with Your presence, just as Jesus broke through the darkness to reach His disciples.
Thank You that no storm catches You by surprise. Help me to stop fighting battles in my own strength and welcome Your supernatural work in every area of my life. Use these difficulties to shape me more into the image of Jesus and give me opportunities to tell others about Your faithfulness.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
John 6:20 - But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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