1653. The Sign of the Walking On the Sea

The Sign of the Walking On the Sea

"So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat: and they were afraid" (Joh_6:19).

After the feeding of the multitude, the disciples went down to the sea and entered into a ship, and started across to Capernaum.

Let us study the occurrences of this short voyage.

1. It was now dark. We have before us a night scene. It was night for Israel when Jesus Christ died upon the Cross–their sun went down.

The age in which we are now living is night.

It is night to the Church, because her Lord is gone; saints shine as luminaries 'mid the darkness. The Church commemorates the Lord's Supper for it is night.

It is night to the nations because clouds of sin and shame hover over the world. It is an age of darkness, a present evil age.

It is night to Israel because her Lord has sent her out among the nations as a wanderer. Israel is in darkness and gloom.

2. The sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. There are many winds blowing today, upon the sea of life. Strong and fierce are the winds of men's doctrines whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Strong are the winds of satanic energy, centered against God's chosen people.

3. Immediately the ship was at the land. While the storm and the wind, and the darkness reigned, the disciples saw the Lord Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto them; and they were afraid.

But He saith unto them: "It is I; be not afraid."

"Then they willingly received Him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went" (Joh_6:20-21).

The miracle of the quieted sea and the harbored ship is the sign of the Lord Jesus, quieting all the forces that battle against Israel–forces satanic, as seen by the wind; the forces of nations, as seen by the sea. Out of all of them, the Lord Jesus will save His people, and manifest His glory.

This sign is given that we may believe in Jesus as the Son of God, the deliverer of all troubled, storm-tossed saints, and particularly of the troubled, storm-tossed sons of Jacob in the day of their coming tribulation.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR