Three Great Qualities of Christ John 6:15-21 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

This story is also found in Mark 6:45-51 and Matthew 14:22-33.  When you study these other accounts, you find three great attributes that are part of Jesus’ ministry.  The people realized Jesus was the Son of God based on what they saw.  These three great qualities we see in Jesus should be in our lives, to testify to others that we are sons of God.  His three great qualities are:

His life of great humility

In John6:15the people wanted to make Jesus their king on the spot.  Jesus refused because the time wasn’t right.  Most people with his power would try to build a national ministry and draw attention to themselves.

Jesus was offered kingship by the devil in the wilderness (Luke 4:5).  Jesus could have escaped from the cross if he had taken the devil up on his offer.  In John 18:36, he said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”  Pilate knew that Jesus was the king.  He wrote a title and put it on the cross. This offended the Pharisees.

Despite being born a king, he served instead.  We need more humility.  Whosever will be great among, you let him be your servant. (Matthew 20:26).

His life of prayer

This is not evidenced by John chapter 6 alone; we need to check the cross references.  Matthew 14:23 and Mark 6:46 say that Jesus went to the mountain to pray.  Jesus took time after this great miracle to pray.  He stayed until the fourth watch of the night.  While he was up there, he could see the disciples rowing on the sea.  He knew they were in trouble, but he was so involved in prayer that he wouldn’t let anything distract him.  There are so many distractions today to keep us from praying.  In the garden of Gethsemane he prayed until he sweat as it were great drops of blood.

His life of power

In Matthew 14:26, Jesus walked on the sea.  He saved Peter’s life.  When Jesus got in the boat the wind ceased (Matthew14:32) and the boat was instantly transported to their destination (John 6:21).  In Psalm 89:9, we find that control of the waves is reserved for God.  Thus, Jesus is God.

Christians are anemic today because everyone thinks that it takes money to get things done.  This is true in the corporate world, but God already has all the money.  We should have our lives marked by power.  Paul said “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13)

Conclusion: If our lives were characterized by these three characteristics, then we would be much better witnesses for Christ.

When Jesus was walking on the sea in the fourth watch in the night it was prophetic of the Second Advent.  The morning is the fourth watch of the night.  Jesus didn’t come in the first, second, or third watch.  He came in the fourth watch.  The Lord should be coming soon.  We should be busy incorporating these attributes into our lives, Mark 13:32-35