February 10, 2026 | Be Connected
Jesus Walks on Water
Scripture: John 6:16-21(NIV)
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. 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.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Devotional
Have you ever found yourself struggling? When I was a kid, I would often want to do something that I wasn’t big enough or old enough to do. My father would stand by and watch and just about the time I thought I couldn’t finish, there he would be, lending a helping hand and encouraging me to continue. I could do it – whatever it was. He loved me enough to watch me learn as I struggled and knew just when he was needed.
This story is just about that. It’s not a story about Jesus walking on water, it’s about what Jesus does and who He is. Remember that is John’s focus. This story must have brought him comfort long after Jesus had risen. Just like my father’s memories do for me. In this simple story John is telling us that Jesus watches over us. He was on the hillside, He had told them to go on ahead (Mark) and after disbursing the crowd of 5000 He walked toward the seashore.
While the NIV says, “walking on the water”, William Barclay says that the Greek “epi tes thalases” means – “walking on the seashore”. [It can also mean “walking on the sea”]. When the disciples saw Him, He was watching them, watching their struggle and when it almost became too much He called out “It is I, don’t be afraid”. Just like my father, Jesus was watching over those He loved and when needed he supported them. He helped them by encouraging them to continue until they reached the safe place. The place by His side.
This story is about how Jesus watches over us, comes to us when needed, helps us in our struggles and brings us into His safe place. I am a lucky person who had a father who mirrored this behavior for me. Because of my father I can understand just how Jesus loves us, watches over us, comes when needed (even when we don’t ask), and helps us through His word until we reach the safe place. This may not be a physical place like the arms of my Dad, but a place where we can continue on, knowing that we are loved by our God and He has sent someone to watch over us .
When you struggle, do you know He is watching over you? That He will come and help and bring you into the safety of His Love? If so, who can you mirror this to? I am a very lucky person but so are you for we both have the gift of Jesus watching over us.
