John 6:14-21 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.… I. AMID THE MOUNTAINS (ver. 15). 1. A couch of repose after the physical exhaustion of the day. 2. A temple of prayer (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46). (1) For Himself that Be might resist the temptation He had just escaped as in the wilderness (Matthew 4:8-10), and that He might be supplied with strength for the coming miracle. (2) For the people who were as sheep without a shepherd. (3) For the disciples gone on their perilous voyage. 3. A tower of observation of His disciples as now He watches us from heaven. II. UPON THE SEA (vers. 19, 20). 1. The mysterious apparition. (1) What it was. Christ really walking on, not swimming in, the sea, not walking on the shore. There is no difficulty here to those who believe the previous miracle. (2) Why it came. To proclaim Christ Lord as the Controller of nature, as the bread had proclaimed Him its Creator. (3) When it appeared. Between three and six o'clock in the morning when the rowers were at their wits' end. So Christ interposes when our need is greatest (Amos 5:1). (4) How it was regarded. With fear, as Christ's unusual appearances often are. 2. The familiar voice. (1) What it said (ver. 20). A note of assurance (Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 54:11). (2) How it acted. It dispelled their alarms. III. IN THE BOAT (ver. 21). 1. The wind was hushed (Matthew 14:32). To lull the soul's hurricanes when Christ steps within (John 14:27). 2. The disciples were amazed (Mark 6:51), and led to worship (Matthew 14:33). Christ's supremacy over nature unmistakably betokened His Divinity. 3. The voyage was completed.Learn: 1. The dependence Jesus ever felt on prayer. 2. The notice Christ continues to take of His people. 3. The ability Christ possesses to help in the time of need. 4. The glory Christ shall yet bring to His people and to this material world. 5. The object of all Christ's manifestations to lead men to recognize His Divinity. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. |
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