Text: John 6:15-21 15. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
16. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
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.
18. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
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.
20. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
Introduction: In the context of our passage we see that Jesus had just preformed a great and well-known miracle. He had just taken the five barley loaves and two small fishes that the little lad had made available and fed over five thousand men, not counting the women and children. After He had preformed this miracle He perceived that the crowd wanted to take Him by force and make Him a king. With His crowning hour not yet come He decided to retreat to the mountains to be alone. After He had detached himself from the crowd He sent His disciples away to cross over the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida.
Now there are many avenues that we could take with this text that many of you have probably heard before. However, we would like to take a route that has been less traveled and approach the text in this manner. We would like to consider this text as a lost individual without Christ who is sailing the rough, tempestuous sea of life. When things look their darkest Jesus comes to them and they are delivered from the dangers that threaten to destroy them.
By God’s marvelous help we would like to examine our text at this time and ask this question; Is Jesus on board your ship?
I. Consider the Present Dilemma of the disciples. (Vv.16-18)
They were in quite a dilemma indeed. They were all alone on their little vessel while being tossed about in the darkness by the monstrous wind driven waves.
Consider with me the following three thoughts that well describe their dilemma, as well as the dilemma of others who are without Christ:
A. They were in Darkness. (Vv.17a)
…And it was now dark…
Does this not describe the condition of the individual who is lost? They are abiding in unutterable spiritual darkness. The Bible teaches us that the person who is unsaved is abiding in darkness.
~ II Corinthians 4:3-4 3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
~ Colossians 1:12-13 12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
B. They were Deserted. (Vv.17b)
…and Jesus was not come to them.
Does this not well describe the condition of the individual who is lost? The individual who is lost is an individual who is without Christ according to the Bible.
~ Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
C. They were in Danger. (Vv.18)
And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
Does this not describe the condition of the Lost? They are in grave danger. They are in danger of everlasting destruction because they have not accepted Christ as their Savior. The Bible emphatically teaches that the wages of sin is death. I would call that danger wouldn’t you.
Hence we have the disciples and their present dilemma. They were in a real dilemma to say the least.
II. Consider the Pleasurable Discovery of the disciples. (Vv.19-20)
What was the discovery that was so pleasurable to these disciples? In the other Gospel accounts of this particular story we read that the disciples were scared. However, what appeared to be terribly frightening ended up being a tender comfort to them.
Consider the following about their pleasurable discovery:
A. The fact that He Cared for them was a pleasurable discovery.
I am quite sure that at this very point in their life that they probably began to feel as if Jesus did not care for them. The devil probably said to them, “You see He doesn’t care for you. If He cared at all you would not be out here by your self.”
Oh yes, the fact that He was there showed them that He did care. What a pleasurable discovery this must have been for them.
B. The fact that He was Came to them was a pleasurable discovery.
Try as hard as they may, and they could have never overcome the winds and the waves to get to Christ. What a pleasurable discovery it had to be for them to know that He was coming to them.
Is this not the way it is with the lost? They could never get to him for it is impossible. It is not even in our nature to get to God. The Bible teaches that there is none that seeketh after God. However it also teaches us that the Son Of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost. What a pleasurable discovery it is for the lost soul to realize that Christ is willing to come to where they are to save them.
C. The Fact that He Comforted them was a pleasurable discovery.
What a pleasurable discovery it is to find comfort in the midst of the storm in our Savior. Instead of scolding them He soothed them.
Consider the magnitude of these words that He spoke, “It is I, be not afraid”. No other person could speak such words without incurring ridicule. This is the language of a conqueror. It is I, be not afraid of the darkness, for I am light. It is I, be not afraid of death, for I am life. It is I, be not afraid of your sins, for I am thy salvation. It is I, be not afraid of hell, or of judgment, for I am He who was dead and is alive forevermore, and have the keys of death and hell. It is I, be not afraid, cast all your care upon me, for I am they creator, thy redeemer, and friend.
Hence we have the disciples and their pleasurable discovery. What a pleasure this discovery was indeed.
III. Consider the Phenomenal Deliverance of the disciples. (Vv.21)
My what a deliverance it was. It was an instantaneous deliverance the moment that Jesus boarded the ship.
Notice two things with me concerning their deliverance:
A. Their Willing Reception. (Vv.21a)
…Then they willingly received him into the ship…
They did not have to be begged into receiving Jesus onboard the ship; on the contrary they were quite willing and eager to have Him come aboard. So it is with the individual who accepts Christ as their Savior; they are willing, at the time that God speaks to their heart regarding their sin, to have Jesus come aboard their life’s vessel.
B. Their Wonderful Rescue. (Vv.21b)
…and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
The very moment that Jesus boarded the ship they were instantaneously saved from the raging sea. This statement is not one that we should try to theorize about regarding its factual authenticity. It says what it means and means what it says. The minute that Jesus boarded the vessel it was phenomenally transported to it’s destination.
Is this not the way that it is when someone accepts Christ as their Savior? The very minute that the soul cries out for forgiveness it is instantaneously saved. That’s right, SAVED!! As saved as he or she will ever be. They are as good for heaven, as if they were already there. Regarding position they are already there according to the Bible, for it says in Ephesians 2:6 that He “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
Hence we have the disciples and their phenomenal deliverance. Thank God for such a blessed deliverance!
Conclusion: May I ask you a question today; do you have Jesus onboard your vessel? If not you are in grave peril. Friend He is there waiting for a willing reception, would you invite Him in.
