Page 60 - Gospel of John_teachers lesson_cp 1-10_Neat

John 6:16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the
sea,
John 6:17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward
Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

John 6:18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
John 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty
furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship:
and they were afraid.

John 6:20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
John 6:21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately
the ship was at the land whither they went.

Lesson Notes:

(John 6:16-18) – The parallel account of feeding the five thousand provided in the Gospel of
Mark indicates that the Messiah instructed His disciples afterwards to take a ship along the
northern coastline of the Sea of Galilee to reach Bethsaida. (Mark 6:45-46) He would remain to
isolate Himself in a nearby hillside to pray. John’s gospel omits the instruction creating an
information gap and picks up the account with the disciples entering a ship to travel towards
Capernaum. The two accounts are not in conflict. To obtain a full picture of the historical
narrative both accounts must be joined together to make up for the gaps in information.
After rowing nearly four miles (25-30 furlongs: 3.75 miles) against a great wind, the disciples
see the figure of man walking on the sea, unaware that it is Jesus-Messiah. In obedience, the
disciples ventured to travel to a destination given to them by their Rabbi. Following God’s
direction does not mean natural elements or circumstances will be cooperative. When
aspirations to obey God are set, oppositional winds will rise to turn away determined hearts
and minds from an intended destination.

(John 6:19-21) – The account in Mark annotates that the Messiah saw them from the shore,
during the fourth watch at some time between 3 a.m. and sunrise, toiling against a contrary
wind. (Mark 6:47-48) God sees the determined and the conditions they must face. Watching
from the shorelines of eternity, He will walk into our place of conflict and announce His
presence. It is difficult to see God in the presence of a great opposition, but His voice can be
heard to provide assurance of His presence.
The direction the disciples were travelling is uncertain when the Messiah approached the ship.
When embattled with contrary winds, destinations get re-set to finding the nearest point of
safety.
The Messiah identified Himself and tells them not to be afraid. The disciples are willing to take
Him aboard and once they do the great wind stops blowing. Responding to His presence will
immediately eliminate the impact of opposing winds. When the winds cease the ship is guided
to the nearby shores of a village in Gennesaret. (Mark 6:53)

59