After Jesus had supplied the meal for the great company of people in the wilderness, He told His disciples to go in the boat to another place on the shore of Galilee, and He went alone on the mountain nearby to pray.
The disciples seem not to have gone toward Bethsaida, as Jesus said, but toward another place (John 6:1717And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (John 6:17)). They rowed very hard all night, but the wind was against them, and at the fourth watch, which was the early morning, they were still far from the shore, very tired and discouraged.
But there in the stormy sea, those men saw a wonderful sight: Jesus walking on the water coming to them. He kept on, as though for them all to see that He was walking. At first the men were greatly frightened and thought Jesus was a spirit, until He spoke to them, telling them to be of good cheer. He said, “It is I; be not afraid.”
Great Wonder
Jesus came into the boat with them and the wind stopped. The disciples were filled with wonder that Jesus had walked on the water, more than at all the other wonders they had seen. They knew He had power to cure all sickness, feed the hungry and raise the dead, and they had already seen Him still a storm. They believed His power was from God and that He would be their King; they loved Him and had left all to be with Him.
But when they saw Jesus walk upon the sea, they realized that He was different from all others, that He was One from heaven, the Son of God (Matt. 14:3333Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:33)). Because Jesus lived so humble a life, they had believed Him only to be God’s prophet and King. He was not a spirit, which they could not see (Luke 24:37-3937But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (Luke 24:37‑39)), but a perfect man, yet divine. This is a mystery we do not understand, but all who have truly learned of Jesus reverence Him as the holy Son of God. That is the reason His words, His deeds and His death on the cross for sins have such value.
The Patient Servant
When Jesus and the disciples landed on shore and people saw Him, they all hurried to bring their sick friends or relatives to be healed. It seems there were too many for Him to go to each one. They carried the sick ones on their beds or blankets and placed them beside the road where Jesus would pass. They begged Him if they could touch just the border of His garment. “As many as touched Him were made whole.”
This shows how constantly and patiently Jesus kept on going to all the villages to do good for all as God’s Servant; no one was missed who reached out to Him for help.
Do you suppose there was a sick one who was not willing to put out his hand to touch Jesus? Such a one would be carried home again, still helpless. Many now miss a far greater blessing from the Lord Jesus.
Although He is now the risen One in heaven, we may “come” to Him in as simple a way as the sick ones. If we believe He is our Saviour, we “touch” Him by faith, and His power gives eternal life to the soul.
Further Meditation
1. What other scriptures show that Jesus is God?
2. Which Old Testament believers got tired of serving unresponsive people?
3. For more on the subject of quiet obedience, you might enjoy reading Obedience and Submission: Healing Principles by J. H. Smith.