Seven Miracles in the Gospel of John (Part 5)
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
- cf. Ephesians 2:1-6
- What about SPIRITUALLY?
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