John 6:16–24. Big Storms.

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Felix Mittermeier

@felix_mittermeier

In the Storms of Life, Where Do You Turn?

At the beginning of this year, at our Kids and Youth leaders’ retreat in Batemans Bay, we went to get fish and chips for dinner. I parked the car about 20 metres from the shop. Twenty metres. By the time I got from the car to the counter, I was soaked from head to toe. Not damp. Not a bit wet. Completely drenched.

That’s what storms are like. They don’t have to last long to do their work. Sometimes it only takes a moment for everything to feel out of control.

And of course, not all storms are about rain. Some are about health. Some are about family. Some are about school, work, money, or anxiety. Some hit suddenly. Some build slowly. But one way or another, life in this world brings storms.

The question is not if they will come. The question is: where do you turn when they do?

In John 6:16–24, the disciples find themselves caught in a real storm. And in it, Jesus shows us something deeper and better: when life storms, he brings safety to those who receive him.

1. Storms Happen (6:16–18)

John sets the scene simply and ominously:

“When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 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. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.” (6:16–18)

They’re doing exactly what they should be doing. They’re not disobeying Jesus. They’re not being foolish. They’re not looking for trouble.

The storm comes anyway.

Important lesson: following Jesus doesn’t mean a storm-free life. Storms happen. The disciples are right in the middle of Jesus’ mission, and they still find themselves rowing in the dark, fighting the wind, making no progress.

Storms are not always a sign that something has gone wrong. Often, they are simply a sign that we live in a broken world that needs saving.

So, don’t be surprised when life is hard. Storms are a sad consequence of living in a world that rejects Jesus.

2. Jesus > Storms (6:19–20)

But while we shouldn’t be surprised by storms, we shouldn’t be scared either. Jesus is greater than storms.

In the next few verses, things get more frightening:

“When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.” (6:19)

If the storm wasn’t bad enough, now they think they’re seeing something impossible. A man walking on water. Then Jesus speaks:

“It is I; don’t be afraid.” (6:20)

Those words, “It is I”, are saying more than just, “Sup? I’m here.” In the Old Testament, God’s name literally means “It is I” or “I am” (Exodus 3:14). Later in John 8:58, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, it is I” (or I am). When Jesus says “it is I”, he’s dropping an “I’m God” bomb. This is backed up by the fact only God rules over the sea, and Jesus is literally walking all over the sea. Psalm 89 says:

“Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” (Psalm 89:8–9)

Only God has power over the sea. Jesus walks on the sea, which means he has power over it. Joining the dots, when Jesus says, “It is I” and walks on water, he’s claiming and showing that he’s God. He is showing them who he is.

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

The storm doesn’t get the final word. Jesus does.

There’s an important lesson in there for us. Life is going to hit us with all kinds of storms. But there’s someone who has power over the storm. When storms hit, don’t freak out. Look to the one who has power over it. Don’t be afraid.

3. Receive Jesus, Find Safety (6:21–24)

In verse 21, the disciples receive Jesus into the boat. They find safety. He brings them safe to shore.

In the following verses, we see the crowd’s response to Jesus. They get up and starting looking for him.

“Once the crowd realised that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.” (6:24)

At first, that sounds good. They’re looking for Jesus.

But if you remember the end of the previous passage, you know what they really wanted: a bread-king. A miracle machine. Someone who fixes their problems and fills their bellies.

The disciples, in the storm, receive Jesus himself.
The crowd, in comfort, chases what Jesus can give.

Which raises the question for us. How are we going to respond to Jesus? These two responses to Jesus are supposed to get us thinking about ourselves. It’s subtly urging us to receive Jesus like the disciples, not like the crowd. Seek him, not just the stuff he gives.

So Where Do You Turn When Life Storms?

Some people turn to distraction. Some to comfort. Some to control. Some to escape. But only one person can walk on water. Only one person can say, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” And only one person can bring you safely home.

Turn to him.

John 6:16–24. Youth Questions.

Pray and Get Going

1. What kinds of “storms” (difficult situations) does life throw our way?

2. When life storms, where do people often go for safety and comfort? (other than God/Jesus/the Bible)

Look at John 6:16–24

3. Describe the storm the disciples are facing. How would you feel in their shoes?

4. How does Jesus respond to the situation? What does this show us about Jesus?
(Hint: how does Jesus’ action echo the way God rules the sea in Psalm 89:8–9?)

5. Why is ‘It is I’ such a loaded phrase (verse 20)? What claim is Jesus making?
(Hint: see Exodus 3:14, John 8:58)

6. How do the disciples respond to Jesus? What about the crowd? What do you think their motives were?

7. If Jesus rules the storm and meets us in it, why is he the safest place to turn?

8. Think back to the storms you listed in question 2. What might it look like to trust Jesus in the midst of these storms?

Pray and Give Thanks

Please, God, when storms hit, help us not to panic or run to other things for safety. Help us to receive Jesus and trust him, even when we are afraid. Help us to seek him, not just what he can give, and to believe that he really is the safest place for us. Amen.
Thanks, God, that Jesus is greater than every storm and that he comes to us in the middle of our fear. Thank you that when we receive him, he brings us safely through. Thank you that in him we have real security, real peace, and real hope. Amen

John 6:16–24. Kids’ Club Questions.

Pray and Get Going

1. Have you ever felt really scared (in a storm, at night, or in a hard situation)? What did it feel like?

Read John 6:16–18

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 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. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.

2. What is happening to the disciples? What makes this situation scary?

Read John 6:19–20

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”

3. What does Jesus do that is surprising? Why does he say, “Don’t be afraid”?

Read John 6:22–24

22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

4. Why do you think the crowd is searching for Jesus? Do they want Jesus, or just what he can give them?

5. If Jesus rules the storm and says, “Don’t be afraid,” how should we respond when we feel scared this week?