Seven Miracles in the Gospel of John (Part 5)

by · 01/30/2020

John 6:15-21

I. DEPARTING (v. 15-16)

  • There is a SEPARATION here between Jesus and His disciples
    • This is similar to today… PHYSICALLY
  • Notice WHERE Jesus is – “he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”
  • Notice WHERE the disciples are – “his disciples went down unto the sea.”
    • Today – PHYSICALLY, Jesus Christ is IN HEAVEN (UP)
    • Today – PHYSICALLY, we are ON EARTH (DOWN)
      • What about SPIRITUALLY?
        • cf. Ephesians 2:1-6
          • This is the STANDING of all saved people on this earth at this very moment!
          • STANDING refers to God’s PERSPECTIVE of me based on my relationship with Him through Jesus Christ!
            • cf. John 1:12-13 – son of God  
            • cf. Colossians 2:10  – COMPLETE in Christ!
          • STATE refers to one’s walk or testimony, one’s PHYSICAL CONDITION here on earth!
            • cf. 1 Corinthians 1:11
            • cf. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
            • cf. Romans 7:18-24

At the RAPTURE, our STANDING and STATE will MATCH.  The problem now is our BODY – it will be CHANGED – cf. Philippians 3:20

Verses 15-16 describe our condition TODAY – Christ is UP (heaven) while we are DOWN (earth).  

  • What is Christ doing in Heaven? – cf. Romans 8:34

II. DARKENING (v. 17-19a)

  • In the meantime, what is happening down here? 
    • cf. John 6:17 – “And it was now dark…”
  • Not only is it DARK, but they are… – “and Jesus was NOT come to them.” – ALONE!
    • This is where MOST of our country is – in a DARK place, ALONE… WITHOUT HOPE!

Verse 18 – “And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.”

  • Now the SEA and the WIND are AGAINST the disciples in the boat
    • Where you DO NOT want to be – cf. Ephesians 4:14

Verse 19 – Now the disciples begin to TRY and OVERCOME the SEA and the WIND… but to no avail:

  • Man’s EFFORTS to overcome the DARKNESS never works!
    • cf. Ephesians 6:11-12 – “Put on the whole armour of God…”

III. DRAWING (v. 19b-21)

  • If we STOP the account there, then HOPE IS LOST
  • ENTER the DIFFERENCE MAKER – the Lord Jesus Christ!

Verse 19b – “they see Jesus WALKING on the sea, and DRAWING NIGH unto the ship: and they were afraid”

  • In the DARKEST of times, we SHOULD BE looking for the LIGHT of the WORLD… but we get so focused on the DARKNESS, the WIND, and the SEA – we end up FEARING HIM when He shows up!
  • “DRAWING NIGH unto the ship”

Verse 20 – Now, notice the Lord’s WORDS – “It is I; be not afraid.”

  • cf. John 14:26-27
  • cf. Joshua 1:9 
  • cf. 2 Chronicles 20:15
  • cf. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8
  • cf. Isaiah 12:2

Verse 21 – “Then they WILLINGLY RECEIVED him into the ship”

  • The Lord does NOT FORCE HIMSELF upon anyone
    • cf. Exodus 25:1-2
  • This is ANTI-CALVINISTIC
    • cf. John 6:44, 12:32