22

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

IMMEDIATELY following the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. 

 Why immediately? 

1.  Perhaps the disciples, like the crowds, saw political implications for Jesus' miracle (cf. 16:22 – re: Peter's rebuke of Jesus for his prophecy of his own impending suffering); Jesus wanted to separate the two to keep this from happening.

2.  See 14:20:  what happened to 12 baskets full of leftovers?  The implication is that the disciples took the leftover bread and fish with them in the boat as a silent testimony to Jesus' identity. 

Jesus wanted them to have time together to talk about what they had experienced and have the right answer for the question, “Who is this?”

 compel, force, make one do something (Mt 14:22; Mk 6:45; Lk 14:23; Ac 26:11; 28:19; 2Co 12:11; Gal 2:3, 14; 6:12+)

 3.  Jesus compelled the disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side – with full knowledge that he was sending them into severe trouble.  His intention was that, with the presence of the leftover bread forcing the question of his identify, their faith in him would grow.  “In the Torah, we read how God provided manna for his people in the wilderness. Jesus fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.  It couldn't be clearer who Jesus is!  God with us!  If God provided for his people in the wilderness, won't Jesus also provide for us?

23

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

There is some space of time between the time Jesus compelled his disciples to get into the boat  (14:22) and the onset of the storm (14:24). 

 One boat, twelve disciples, and twelve baskets full of left over bread and fish as a silent testimony to Jesus. 

Lots of time to talk about what they had just experienced.  Lots of time to talk about who they were coming to believe that Jesus was.

24

but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.

Beaten 1. LN 38.13 torture, torment (Mt 8:6, 29; 14:24; Mk 5:7; 6:48; Lk 8:28; Rev 9:5; 11:10; 12:2; 14:10; 20:10+); 2. LN 25.280 ψυχὴν βασανίζω experience anguish, be tortured, be tormented [in soul], suffer, be in pain (2Pe 2:8+) (LN = Luow – Nida) 

Jesus compelled his disciples to depart in the boat with full knowledge that they were going into danger. 

Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-8; 1 Peter 1:3-9 

25

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

Somewhere between 3 and 6 a.m.

 l        Why does God allow suffering?

l        Why does God allow suffering to continue past the point of our exhaustion?

 2 Cor. 1:3-10

26

But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.

Terrified (a figurative extension of meaning of ταράσσω ‘to stir up,’ 16.3) to cause acute emotional distress or turbulence—‘to cause great mental distress.’

 fear: a state of severe distress, aroused by intense concern for impending pain, danger, evil, etc., or possibly by the illusion of such circumstances—‘fear.’

27

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

“It's all right,” he said. “I am here!  Don't be afraid.” (NLT)

1. Take heart

2.  It is I

3.  Stop fearing / do not be afraid any longer

 Isa 43:1-3a

28

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

29

He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

30

 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”

31

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

32

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”