Jesus Stuns the Disciples

The Point of the Gospel

Jesus Walks On Water {Matthew, Mark, Luke}

Jesus had the disciples get into a boat and go ahead of him while he dismissed the crowd. He then prayed alone on the mountainside. Evening came and the boat, far from shore and going against the wind, was buffeted by the waves. The disciples strained at the oars. Jesus walked on the lake to them.

The disciples saw him and cried out in terror. “It’s a ghost.”

Jesus said, “Take courage, it is I. Don’t be afraid.”

{Matthew}

Peter called out. “If it’s you, let me come to you on the water.”

Jesus said, “Come.”

Peter got out of the boat and walked to Jesus, but he saw the wind, was afraid, and began to sink. “Lord, save me,” he cried.

Jesus caught him. “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

They climbed into the boat and the wind died down. The disciples worshipped him and said, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

{John} When Jesus got on board, the boat immediately reached the shore. The people Jesus had fed realized he no longer was on the mountain, though his disciples took the only missing boat without him. They followed Jesus across the lake.

{Mark} Jesus climbed into the boat and the wind died. The disciples were amazed because, their hearts hardened, they hadn’t understand the lesson of the few loaves and leftover pieces.

{Matthew and Mark}They landed at Gennesaret where Jesus was recognized. Word was sent to all the surrounding country. People brought their sick and begged to just touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak. All who touched him were healed.

Personal Thought: I find the phrase hardened hearts, used in both the Old and New Testaments, ambiguous. It seems to sometimes mean ignorance, other times deliberate disbelief, and especially in the story of Moses and the Pharaoh, God’s doing in order that His will could be done. The last bothers me as far as when people decide that’s what God was doing. Yes, He knows the heart and can use it, but people often don’t and have to be careful judging.