John 6:18-21

18 Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. 

19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 

20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 

21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

Is Jesus in Your Boat?

In the previous verses, we read that Jesus stayed on the mountain while the disciples went into the boat to sail back across the sea. The account of this event is also found in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52, and it is much more detailed in those accounts. It is important to study and compare all accounts to get the details right. I have found that out as I have been studying through John, and missed a couple of details along the way. In the other gospel accounts, it says Jesus told them to go ahead without Him. The other accounts also give the detail that Jesus was praying. I’m sure He sent them away for this very reason, so He could be alone to talk to His Father. Although John’s account of this event is less detailed, he gives us enough information to make a deep connection to our lives. 

The sea was getting rough because of a “great wind” (vs. 18). Jesus saw that this was making it hard for the disciples to row the boat (Mark 6:48). Jesus saw them struggling, just like He sees us when we are struggling. The disciples were about 3 to 4 miles from the shore (vs. 19). This would have been somewhere around the middle of the sea, since the sea of Galilee was around 6 to 7 miles across. Suddenly, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and they were afraid (vs. 19). Imagine being 3 to 4 miles out in the water, and seeing someone in the distance walking on top of the water. It would be alarming, wouldn’t it? Jesus identifies Himself, almost with an “I am” statement, and tells them not to be afraid (vs. 20). I’m curious…..I wonder how long it took Jesus to walk 3 to 4 miles? I know it takes me like an hour and a half to walk that far. But with Jesus it could have been minutes. With Jesus…..anything is possible. It may have seemed like Jesus was far away to the disciples who were battling the wind, but then…..He was suddenly there near the boat. Jesus is never far away from us. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a good day or a bad day…..a calm day on the water or a rough day on the sea…..Jesus is there. It makes me think of the verse where Jesus says he stands at the door and knocks for us to let Him in (Revelation 3:20). Jesus is never more than a knock away.  

The most important message in these verses is the fact that the disciples received Him into the boat. The disciples were struggling in the boat with the wind and the waves. Once they recognized who Jesus was and realized their need for Jesus, they let Him into the boat. The symbolism is clear. The rough wind and water can represent the world, and all the trials and temptations we will face within it. The boat can represent each of our lives. When we are struggling in life, we need to let Jesus into our boat so He can help us. He is the only one who can make things get better for us. In fact, Jesus needs to stay in our boats. Jesus did say that he would never leave us or forsake us. That sounds like He wants to be in our boat 24/7. But it is never Jesus who leaves our boats, it is us who dump Jesus overboard, and try to do things on our own. 

We just need to remember this…..just like He provided enough food for all those 5000+ people, and delivered the disciples from the “great wind”, He will provide for and deliver us. Jesus wants to be in each of our boats! He wants to steer our boats in the right direction. We just need to recognize Him and receive Him. Just like the disciples recognized who Jesus truly was when He was walking on that water on that dangerous windy night, we have to recognize who Jesus is today. He is our Savior and deliverer…..the only One who can truly help us. I’m sure the disciples saw Jesus, and thought, “It’s going to be okay now, because we have Jesus in our boat.” I’m sure they were breathing a sign of relief! That is exactly the attitude that we should have in life if we are Christians. We should be breathing a sigh of relief because we have Jesus in our boat! No matter who the president is, no matter how much groceries and gas costs, no matter what wars are going on across the world, no matter what chaos Satan causes in this world, no matter how bad things seem to get…..if we have obeyed Jesus, and are staying faithful to Him, then He is in our boat, and we will be okay. We can have peace. But we don’t always do that, do we? We lose sight of Jesus sometimes, when we go through hard times. We panic and forget that He is in our boat. 

I noticed in the other gospel accounts, it says that the wind immediately ceased when Jesus entered the boat. That is exactly what happens when we let Him into our lives. Jesus will calm the rough waters of life along the way. In John’s account, it says they were immediately at land the second that Jesus stepped onto the boat. The land represents heaven. When Jesus returns to get all of us who have obeyed His gospel and been faithful to Him, then we will immediately be at our eternal destination of heaven. Jesus will take us to our spiritual promised land…..heaven. Jesus said this back in John 5:24. He said that if we believe in Him, then we will “pass from death into life”. Jesus will get us to our eternal destination “immediately” if we have obeyed Him throughout our entire lives to the best of our abilities. I want Jesus in my boat. Actually…..Jesus is my “boat”, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.                                                                                                  Have you let Jesus into your boat yet? Has He become your “boat” that will help you get safely to land…..aka, heaven? He’s just right there waiting for you to let Him in. All you have to do is decide to obey Him. “Letting Him in your boat” = “obeying Him in repentance and baptism”. It means burying the “old you”, and being resurrected as the “new you”. It means giving Him control over your life, and letting Him guide your decision-making. Let Him navigate life’s troubled waters for you! We were never meant to direct our own steps in this life (Jer. 10:23).                                                                                                    Or…..maybe Jesus was once in your boat, but you pushed Him overboard to go your own way in the world? He’s ready for you to let Him back in. Wasn’t life much better when He was in your boat? 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about how to be saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus, and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves…..and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t or you are not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are…..believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better…..to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you Father for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan that God has set forth in His Word, for humankind to receive His grace that leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)