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| Archbishop Averky (Tauchev) Explanation of the four Gospels IntraText CT - Text |
(Mat. 14:22-36; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21).
Compelled by the Lord to get across to the western bank, the Apostles got into their boat and sailed off. Darkness descended and “the sea arose because a great wind was blowing” (John 6:18), “the boat was now in the middle of the sea (i.e. lake), tossed by the waves” (mat. 14:24), and the Lord was not with them; He remained alone on land, but “saw them straining at the rowing” (Mark 6:48). “They had rowed about three or four miles” (John 6:19) out from the eastern bank. It was the fourth watch of the night i.e. near sunrise, and suddenly the Apostles saw Jesus walking on the water toward them “and would have passed them by (Mark 6:48). They thought it was an apparition and cried out in fear. But the Lord calmed them: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Mat. 14:27; Mark 6:50; John 6:20).
Possessing a fiery temperament, Apostle Peter became inflamed with the desire to greet the Lord by walking toward Him, and asked permission to do so — to which the Lord replied: “Come” (Mat. 14:29). Peter stepped out of the boat, and the power of his faith created a miracle — he walked on water. However the strong wind and turbulent waves distracted Peter’s attention from Jesus: the fear that seized him weakened his faith, and he started to drown, crying out in despair: “Lord, save me!” (Mat. 14:30). The Lord immediately extended His hand so as to support him and said: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mat. 14:31). As soon as “they got into the boat, the wind ceased” (Mat. 14:32), “and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” John 6:21). Then, everybody that was in the boat, came up to Jesus and exclaimed: “Truly you are the Son of God” (Mat. 14:33).
As soon as the Lord landed, the local inhabitants immediately surrounded Him: they recognized Him and informed all the people in neighboring areas, who brought Him all their sick. The faith in the miraculous power (which emanated from the Lord) was so strong, that the local residents, in receiving permission from the Lord to touch His clothing — were cured instantly.