Christ walking on the sea.
This miracle was no unmeaning portent, but was full of spiritual significance. In Scripture the people are often spoken of under the figure of the sea and its waves (Daniel 7:3; Revelation 13:1). Christ had just assuaged popular passion, and now he calmed the troubled sea, which was symbolic of it. Here, then, we may see a sign of the coming dominion of the spirit of Christianity over the sea of nations. We content ourselves, however, now with learning a few truths respecting our Lord and his disciples which are exemplified here.
I. WE LEARN RESPECTING OUR LORD:
1. Christ's disciples would send away the people who were hungry, but Christ himself sends them away when they are too well satisfied. The reason for dismissing the crowd is given in John 6:15. They were greatly excited by a miracle, repetitions of which would ensure the provisioning of armies, and the success of a revolution. Hence Christ sent them away. "He hath filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he hath sent empty away." The prodigal is welcomed when he comes home starving and helpless. We must go to him acknowledging sin and weakness, and not confident in ourselves.
2. Christ withdrew himself from earthly honors, whereas too often his disciples greedily seek them. Our Lord "constrained" his disciples to go away, for they were evidently loth to do so. It was for their, good. They were in danger of becoming infected (if they were not already infected) with the spirit of the people. To them it seemed that the longed-for kingship of their Lord was within reach. But for the second time he resisted the temptation—"All this will! give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." And for them he answered in a most unexpected way the prayer, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
3. Christ left us an example of secret and earnest prayer. He was alone with God at the close of that exciting day. The quiet of eventide calls us also to secret prayer. Our Lord hereby renewed his strength, and from it he came forth to conflict and victory. "Pray to thy Father, which is in secret."
4. Christ is often out of our sight, but we are never out of his. Lost to the sight of his disciples, he nevertheless "saw them toiling in rowing."
II. WE LEARN RESPECTING HIS DISCIPLES:
1. We are sometimes left to toil on in darkness, without Christ's realized presence. He leaves us alone for a time that we may feel our need of him. Though the wind may be "contrary" to us, it is a good wind if at last it brings our Saviour near.
2. Our extremity is his opportunity. It was about "the fourth watch of the night"—between three and six in the morning—that Jesus came; and the hours had been so long and weary since they started upon their voyage, that they must have been fast losing hope and courage. The darkest hour is just before the dawn.
3. If our strength is insufficient to bring us to him, his strength is sufficient to bring him to us. It was so when he redeemed the world. He came to earth because we could not climb to heaven. It is so in our special occasions of necessity. He sometimes comes for our deliverance in unexpected ways—"walking on the sea."
4. In all our troubles Jesus says, "It is I; be not afraid.".—A.R.
HOMILIES BY R. GREEN