What does John 6:19 teach about trusting Jesus in life's storms? Facing the Storm: John 6:19 John 6:19: “When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea; and they were terrified.” What the Disciples Saw and Felt - Nighttime on the rough Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:24; Mark 6:47) - Exhausted after rowing “three or four miles” (≈5–6 km) against the wind - Sudden sight of Jesus literally walking on the water—an impossible scene apart from divine power - Immediate reaction: “they were terrified” What Jesus Reveals About Himself - Sovereign over creation: Job 9:8—“He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.” - Present in the storm, not absent: He comes toward them, not away from them (Hebrews 13:5). - Unthreatened by chaos: The sea, often a symbol of turmoil (Psalm 93:4), is under His feet. - Faith-builder: Every step He takes invites trust rather than fear (Isaiah 41:10). Lessons for Our Storms Today - Physical distance or darkness cannot keep Jesus from reaching us. - Outward circumstances may grow worse before we perceive His presence, but He is already near (Psalm 139:7–10). - Terror is natural; trust is supernatural, produced by seeing Jesus for who He is (John 6:20; Romans 10:17). - The same power that suspends Him above the waves sustains those who belong to Him (Colossians 1:17). Living It Out - Recall His past faithfulness when new storms rise (Psalm 107:28–30). - Replace fear statements (“I’m overwhelmed”) with truth statements (“Jesus is over the waves”). - Keep rowing in obedience; His timing will intersect your need. - Welcome Him into the “boat” of your situation—when He steps in, the storm’s purpose is fulfilled and peace follows (John 6:21; Mark 6:51). Trusting Jesus in life’s storms means believing, on the basis of this literal, historical event, that the One who walks on water is able to carry you through every wave you face today. |
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