"Living Words" is a weekly podcast that explores the transformative power of scripture across a diverse range of Biblical books, guided by insightful devotionals from the author's own works. Each episode seeks to deepen faith and understanding, connecting listeners with the enduring wisdom and relevance of the Bible in their daily lives.
In this intriguing episode of "In His Footsteps," host Charles Vance delves into the captivating narrative of Jesus, or Yeshua, walking on water, focusing on John 6:16-21. The episode opens with a heartfelt prayer, setting a reverent tone as Vance explores the profound implications of this miracle. He highlights Jesus's mastery over nature, demonstrated as He calmly walks across the stormy Sea of Galilee to meet His disciples. This act not only underscores His divinity but also serves as a powerful metaphor for His ability to guide us through life's tumultuous "seas."
Vance draws attention to the disciples' initial fear transformed into awe and acceptance, illustrating the journey of faith from doubt to trust. He emphasizes that Jesus's presence brings immediate relief and destination, much like the disciples' quick arrival at the shore upon welcoming Him into their boat. The theological significance of this event is thoughtfully discussed, pointing to Jesus's statement, "It is I, do not be afraid," as a declaration of His identity and a reassurance that dispels fear.
The episode is rich with reflection questions and personal insights, encouraging listeners to consider the role of faith in overcoming life's challenges. Vance shares his own poignant experience with cancer, reinforcing the episode's message of trust and divine intervention. He concludes with powerful prayers for trust and courage, inviting listeners to acknowledge and welcome Jesus's calming presence in their lives.
Overall, this episode not only explores a biblical miracle but also offers listeners a deeper understanding of faith's role in navigating life's storms, making it a spiritually enriching experience.
Get a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional here.
Good morning, happy Sabbath to you. I'm Charles Vance, your host for this episode of In His Footsteps. We're at week nine and we're going to be talking about Yeshua Jesus walking on the water. Our passage that we're going to deal with today is John 6, 16 through 21. That's John 6, 16 through 21. I'm going to open in prayer Abba, father, thank you for this day, thank you for your mercy that you've given us through your shed blood. Thank you for your sacrifice as you walked the path to Golgotha and gave up your life. You shed innocent blood so that the enemy Satan was defeated that you gave up your life and picked it up again and you're now seated at the right hand of the Father as our advocate, as the chief priest, after the order of Malik Zadig. We just pray, father, that as priests of the Malik Zadig, that we will follow in your footsteps, follow the example you've given and dwelled by the Holy Spirit. We pray this devotional would speak this morning, that you would open up your word for the hearers, in Yeshua's name, amen. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea and entered into a ship and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. And so when they had rowed out about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea and drawing nigh unto the ship. And they were afraid, but he saith unto them, it is, I be not afraid. And then they willingly received him into the ship and immediately the ship was at the land where they went. The narrative of John 6, 16-21 discusses an event where Jesus walks on the water following the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. This passage continues to reveal the divine authority of Yeshua and Jesus over nature and provides profound insight into his identity, the disciples' faith and the nature of fear and doubt. Here's a closer look into the significant event and its implications. After the feeding of the 5,000, the disciples of Yeshua went down to the Sea of Galilee and they began crossing it by boat toward Capernaum. As the evening fell, jesus had not yet joined them, having withdrawn to a mountain by himself Remember that John the Baptist had been slain and Jesus was mourning. And this is when he withdrew himself into the mountain to pray and to be alone. And the sea became rough due to a strong wind, and amid that they see him walking on the sea, nearing the boat. And they were terrified and he told them it's, I don't be afraid. And then they willingly took him into the boat and immediately the boat reaches the shore where they were heading, and that isn't that interesting. And then they willingly took him into the boat and immediately the boat reaches the shore where they were heading, and that isn't that interesting. So when they let him into the boat, bam, they were immediately on the shore.
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So what is the theological significance? It is the mastery of Yeshua Jesus over creation. His walking on water is a powerful demonstration of his dominion over the natural world, underscoring his divinity. And this act is symbolic of God's ability to transcend the laws of nature, reinforcing his identity as God. It is, I do not be afraid, the statement of Jesus is a profound declaration of his identity, echoing God's revelation of himself, as I am in the Old Testament. And this reassurance addresses the disciples' fear and is a pivotal moment of recognition and faith. Their response was fear upon seeing him walking on the water. It's a natural human reaction to the supernatural. Their experience highlights the journey of faith, moving from fear and misunderstanding to recognition and acceptance of the presence of Jesus and his power, their immediate arrival at the destination. It's a detail that the boat immediately reached the shore upon his entering it and can be seen as symbolic of the Christian journey. With his presence, what seems daunting or prolonged is made immediate and achievable, emphasizing the efficacy of his guidance and sovereignty.
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Here are some lessons Trust in Jesus' sovereignty over life's storms. The episode of Jesus walking on the sea and calming the storm demonstrates his dominion over the natural world and the challenges we encounter. This reassures us of his ability to navigate us through any difficulty, affirming that faith in his sovereignty dispels fear and instills peace. As Matthew 14, 25-27 says, shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them walking in the lake. When disciples saw him walking, they were terrified, but he immediately said Take courage in his eye, don't be afraid. Now, the presence of Jesus dispels fear and brings peace. His comforting words it is I do not be afraid reveal that his presence is the remedy for fear. Recognizing and welcoming Jesus into the situations of our life, even those marked by uncertainty or fear, transforms our perspective, offering peace that transcends human understanding. Another lesson is the recognition of his divine identity, how it strengthens faith the disciples experience, from fear at seeing Jesus on the water to welcoming him into the boat, illustrates a journey of faith Acknowledging his divine identity, echoed in the declaration. It is I, echoing the divine name. I am essential to developing a deeper trust and confidence in Him. This recognition invites believers to see beyond the physical to the spiritual, deepening our faith and reliance on Jesus. In John 6, 20-21, he said to them it is I, do not be afraid. And then they were willing to take Him into the boat and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. Here's some questions for reflection and discussion.
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Reflect on the significance of Jesus walking on water in the context of his other miracles. How does this event deepen your understanding of his divine nature? I think that his walking on the water in context of other miracles, this wasn't a healing act. He was just walking on the water. He was like I'm going to cross over to the other side. I think he knew that he was going to encounter them along the way and he knew that they were going to be afraid. And it's a lot like the time he was in the boat and there was a storm and they were afraid and they woke him up and he said oh, you've a little faith, you know. Peace be still. And the water stopped. This was one of those moments where he's just hey, it's me, don't be afraid. And immediately they welcomed him. Right. So that's what it does is when we're in fear and desperation, when we look to Christ and he says it's I don't be afraid, and we bring them into our life. How have you experienced fear turning to joy upon recognizing his presence in your life? Share examples of when faith has overcome fear. For me, you know I don't know if any of you have ever been sick or had an illness I was stricken with cancer in 2012, and he healed me, cured me and that brought me closer to him. So that was a time in my life when I saw him. He delivered me and I've been grateful to him.
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Discuss the importance of his words it is, I do not be afraid. In the context of this miracle, in your own experiences of fear and uncertainty, there's nothing more pleasing, there's nothing more joyous than hearing the Savior say to you it is, I do not be afraid. Those words calm the sea. Those words calm the sea. They give you strength and peace in the midst of your fear, in the midst of your chaos and trial, he will bring you peace and strength. Through his words. It is, I Do not be afraid, consider the disciples' immediate recognition and reception of Jesus into the boat. What does this teach us about welcoming him into our lives and situations? It means, once you recognize it's him, welcome him in immediately and you will immediately receive clarity, peace, strength, knowing that it's peace. Be still in the midst of chaos and trial the instant you recognize him and trust him for your problem. So in what ways does this miracle encourage you in your own journey of faith? Especially during times when you feel you're struggling against the winds, it is an encouragement to know that he's there and that, through his Holy Spirit, he indwells us and brings us that peace internal.
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I have some suggested prayers. Here's a prayer for trust in the sovereignty of Jesus. Heavenly Father, in the midst of life's storms and uncertainties, we turn to you, recognizing the sovereignty of Jesus over all creation. Grant us the faith to trust in his power to calm the seas of our life and guide us safely to shore. Help us to remember that no challenge is too great for your mighty hand. Strengthen our hearts to rely on you, finding peace in the assurance that with Jesus we are always in capable hands. Amen, may we recognize your presence and find the peace that only you can give. Help us to welcome you in every area of our lives, knowing that your presence brings calm and assurance to weather the storm. Amen.
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Prayer for courage and recognition of Jesus.
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Holy Spirit, illuminate our hearts to truly recognize Jesus in all aspects of our lives, especially during times of fear and uncertainty.
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Give us the courage to invite Him into our situations, trusting in His divine identity and power. May our faith be strengthened as we acknowledge Him as Lord of all, and may we respond to His presence with trust and confidence. Guide us in our journey of faith that we might always be ready to welcome Him, our Savior and Protector, into our boat. I hope this has been helpful to you. Again, this is not about head knowledge or how much you know about the Bible or about God. This is about finding true relationship with Yeshua, jesus, the Messiah, seeking him out in your heart, growing in your trust and relationship with him, increasing the quality of your walk. I hope you've enjoyed this short and this brief devotional. Again, if you would like a copy of the book, it can be found on Amazon. I'll put a link to it in the show notes, but it's been my pleasure to be here with you this week and I hope that you have a good week as you go forward In Yeshua's name, amen.
