About the Text
(22) Where were the disciples heading to?
They were crossing the Sea of Galilee to get to Capernaum on the northwest bank. The Sea
of Galilee is a large lake about the size of Lake Tahoe in California.
(22) Why did Jesus make only the disciples get into the boat and not Himself?
One reason was that Jesus wanted to be alone, verse 23. Another reason is that Jesus
purposely wanted to teach the disciples an important lesson about Himself. That is why the
text says that Jesus "made the disciples" get into the boat. It was not by
accident that Jesus sent the disciples across the sea when He knew of the approaching
storm.
(24) How far was the boat from land? The wind had carried the boat about
3 to 4 miles from land. Although they probably intended to stay close to shore for safety
reasons (it would be foolish to row a small boat into the middle of the lake), the storm
pushed them out into danger. A "stadia" is about an eighth of a mile. John 6:19
says they were 25 or 30 stadia from shore. That equals 3 or 4 miles.
(25) What is the "fourth watch of the night"? It is
3:00-6:00am. A night in ancient times was from 6:00pm to 6:00am. It was divided into four
such that the fourth "watch" was the last three hours of the twelve hour period.
The disciples were mostly likely rowing for over eight
hours, since John 6 says that they started their journey "when evening came," or
around 6:00pm. When the storm came when it was dark and black, and they were tired and
exhausted.
(26) Why were the disciples afraid? Didn't they know it was Jesus? No.
This verse and also Mark 6:49 says that they thought it was a ghost. Jesus was too far
away for the disciples to recognize Him since Mark 6:48 says that He was only
"passing by" and not walking towards them.
(33) What does it mean that the disciples "worshipped" Him?
No, it doesn't mean that they sang hymns and listening to a sermon. Rather,
"worship" in the original Greek language (proskeneuo) means to prostrate
oneself, and bow down in order to give honor to a deity. Jesus was that deity, with the
disciples recognizing the divinity of Jesus Christ.
According to Matthew, this is the first time the disciples worshipped Jesus. They no longer saw Him as a miracle-worker from God, but God Himself.
Insights
We fear, not because of adversity, but because of our imperfect faith. (22-31)
Jesus, being divine, has power even over the strongest forces of creation. (32)
Lasting peace is found in putting one's trust in Jesus Christ. (33)
The Bottom Line
Jesus saves. Simple. That's it. The winds of adversity are always around us: financial problems, unemployment, relationship problems, a souring marriage, gangs, drugs, crime, broken dreams. In this world, you will always have trouble. Yet according to Jesus, nothing happens by accident. He is still in charge. That's why we say "Jesus is Lord, the Son of God." Peace in life comes when you take your eyes off your adverse circumstances, and fix them on Christ, the still, calm figure in the midst of the storm.
When Jesus hung dying on the cross, the disciples grew discouraged, disillusioned, and confused. There was an earthquake, and a great darkness in the sky. Yet in the midst of all this, Jesus hung quietly and serenely, though in great pain. Little did the devil know that Jesus was fmishing the work of taking away the sins of the world. If you believe Christ saves you from sin, He will certainly save you from adversity.
Key Memory Verse
"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
(Matthew 14:27)