Jesus Comes in the Night John 6.14-21

John 6:14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
John 6:16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,
John 6:17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.
John 6:18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
John 6:19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.
John 6:20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
John 6:21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Besides the fact they were in a storm on a lake, Why were the disciples struggling?
Because they were being obedient to God.
Jesus never promised that following Him would eliminate all the storms of life.
In face, He promised the opposite.

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

In this midst of the storm we can still know:

1. In the storms, Jesus sees what we are going through
John says it was dark and yet the gospel of Mark says Jesus saw them struggling.
How did He see them in the dark from such a distance?

• Because He was omniscient
• Because of the all the lightning around them (I like that thought)
• Or, Because it is never dark to Him

I really like what Ron Mehl says in his book, What God Whispers in the Night,

"The darkness and light are both alike to Him. What seems the deepest darkness, mystery, and perplexity to you and me is perfectly clear to the Lord of heaven. Nothing is hidden from Him. Nothing is confusing to Him. Nothing steps out of the shadows to surprise Him."

RAS has said, "He knows the details of our difficulties"
He sees...

2. In the storms, He comes in ways we don't expect
They thought he was a ghost and were terrified.
Although they had seen Him turn water into wine, healed a boy from a distance and multiply a boys lunch to feed a multitude.
They never thought He could or would "walk on water" to rescue them.
Jesus often comes in ways we don't expect

3. He speaks
He says to them, it is I, take courage.
Literally, I AM has come, don't be afraid
John wrote often of the I AM's of Christ

I Am the Messiah (John 4:26).
I Am (It is I); be not afraid (John 6:20).
I Am the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
I Am from Above (John 8:23).
I Am the Light of the World (John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46).
I Am before Abraham was, I am (eternal) (John 8:58).
I Am the Door (John 10:7).
I Am the Good Shepherd (John 10:14).
I Am the Son of God (John 10:36).
I Am the Resurrection and Life (John 11:25).
I Am the Lord and Master (John 13:13).
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
I Am the True Vine (John 15:1).
I Am Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8).
I Am the First and the Last (Rev. 1:17).

After He spoke, they let him on board and John records the miracle within the miracle.

John 6:21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

They immediately reached the other side.

Following Christ does not exempt you from storms.
But, Jesus sees, He cares, He comes, He speaks.
Let Him on board in your life.

Jesus comes in the Night

Another Great Quote

From the Daily Bread devotional,

"It is an awesome responsibility to own a Bible!"