milk & honey mamas

Story contributed by Kristen

Click here for the theological background of Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 5-6

Remember, repetition helps children internalize and make connections. It might be a good idea to read the same story every day for a week. You can add different activities every day.

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

John 6: 19-20, NIV

Do you remember talking about faith? What do you think faith is?

One way to think about faith is like this: when you are afraid, or unsure, or lonely, faith is what it takes to reach out your hand and ask for help. Faith is the hope that someone you love will be there.

Jesus tells us that we can have faith in him, and in God our Father and Mother. That means that when we’re lost, or confused, or hurting, we can reach out to them, and they will hear us. They will not leave us alone, no matter what and no matter where we are. 

I believe that because of the stories I’ve learned about Jesus. I know some beautiful stories, stories that I can almost picture myself in. In fact, if I close my eyes and take a really deep breath, I think I can feel myself there in Jerusalem, by the Sea of Galilee, waiting for Jesus.

Can you smell the salty air? The fishnets? Can you feel the cool breeze on your face? It is night, and the stars are peeping their curious fiery heads out. There’s the moon, high above the water. And there, far in the distance, is a boat. It’s rocking gently on the waves. Everything feels calm, and peaceful, and still on this night in Jerusalem.

A little closer now, I can see the people on the boat. It’s friends I know! Peter, and John, and Andrew, and all of Jesus’ disciples. I wonder what they are talking about. And hmmm, now that I look again, I don’t see Jesus. I wonder where he could be.

All of a sudden, the disciples start to cry out. They’re grabbing each other’s arms, and pointing to something coming toward them. I can tell they are afraid. I look at where they’re pointing and…. I see something too! It’s white, and hard to see, and I’m not quite sure what it is… I can hear the disciples. “It’s a ghost!” “Steer away!” “If only Jesus were here.”

I notice that Peter, Jesus’ friend with the deep brown eyes that always look so thoughtful, is looking closely at the white thing. His eyes are halfway shut. Suddenly, he smiles. “Wait,” he says, “I think…” And then, we all hear it. A voice! A voice we know, a voice we love! It’s Jesus.

“Beloved ones,” he says, “don’t be afraid! It’s me.” He’s coming closer now, and I look over the side of the boat to get a better look. I gasp in surprise. Jesus is walking on the water!

He doesn’t have floaties, or a boat, or anything to hold him up. It’s like the waves want to carry him, like they know he is a true friend that will not hurt them. Jesus is looking at us, and he’s smiling.

He reaches out his hands. Does he want us to come onto the water with him? I hear a splash, and I look over to see that Peter has jumped right out of the boat! And then, I can’t believe my eyes, Peter lifts himself up and starts walking to Jesus! Walking! He and Jesus are actually walking on the water!

Peter gets closer and closer, and then something happens. I’m not quite sure exactly what, but Peter stumbles, and he falls, and he starts to sink into the water. I hear him cry out, and there is fear in his voice.

Right away, Jesus is there. He lifts Peter up. I can’t hear what Jesus says, but I see Peter resting his head on Jesus’ shoulder, like he knows he is safe. They both come back to the boat, and Jesus looks around at everyone. His eyes are full of love and kindness. “You can trust me,” he says calmly. He looks at the Sea of Galilee. “You can trust me.” 

Now it is a hot day, and so very dusty. Jesus is walking, walking, walking. Everywhere he goes, he sees people others ignore. He notices things others miss. He smiles when the people around him are smiling. He cries when the people around him are sad. He always seems to know where to go, where there will be someone who needs him.

On this hot day, he goes to the water called Bethesda. Lots of people come here hoping they will be healed, because there is a legend saying that an angel comes and dances on the water. Wise women say that if you are the first to bathe in this water, you will be healed. The people by this water are very tired. Usually, no one but their families pay them any attention. They’re all very dusty, and very hot, and very sick. Some of them have family members there to help them get to the water. They are all hoping, waiting, longing for the day when they will be well again.

But one man is all alone. He doesn’t have anyone there to help him. He is on a cot, looking at the water as though he could speak to it, and he looks so very, very tired.

Jesus is watching. He sees the people. He sees the hurt, and the pain, and the loneliness, and the sorrow. All of these people need healing.

But he walks over to the man, the one who is alone. He kneels down, right at the man’s level. Slowly, painfully, the man turns to look at Jesus. For a moment, the two of them just look at each other. Jesus’ eyes fill with tears.

The man’s eyes, at first full of hurt, soften. Tears begin to run down his cheeks. Softly, Jesus says, “tell me.”

Through his tears, the man speaks his story. For years, he has been sick. He has tried everything. “I am all alone,” he cries, “I have no one to help me to the water so that I can be healed. Every day I come, but I am always too late. Oh Sir, it is very hard.”

The tears are coming thick and fast now, and Jesus cries too. Very gently, Jesus takes the man’s hand in his own. “Rise up,” he says, “take up your bed. Walk.” For a moment, the two of them just look at each other. Jesus nods. “It’s okay,” he says.

Slowly, the man wiggles his toes. Then he moves his leg. Then, all in one motion, he is on his feet.

“Rise up,” says Jesus, smiling. The man looks as though he could fly. Joyfully, he turns to Jesus. Jesus smiles, and climbs to his feet. He takes the man’s hands in his own again. Softly, he says, “You are not alone.” 

Ideas for Play

Contributed by Kristen

Jesus walks on water

• Read “Nothing to Be Afraid Of” in Moments with Jesus
  
  

• Watch “Jesus Walks on Water” from The Chosen
  
  
  

• Act it out!
  
  

• Make a craft with paper, drawing materials, scissors, glue, and a popsicle stick
  
  

Jesus heals a man at Bethesda

• Watch “Jesus Heals at the Pool” from The Chosen
  

• Act it out!
  
  

• What might the pool have looked like? (link is also a nice article by Max Lucado)

• What are ways you can reach out to Jesus in faith?

Art

Compiled by Caroline

Where is Jesus? Where is Peter? What does the weather look like? What do the waves look like? Does the boat look new or old? What would it feel like in the boat? What would it feel like in the water? 

Where is Jesus? What does the weather look like? Is the sun shining? Where is the light? What do you think the water feels like in this painting? What do you think it would smell like? What do you think Jesus is feeling?

Where is Jesus? Where is Peter? Where is the boat? How far did Peter have to walk to get to Jesus? What does the weather look like? What do the waves look like? What do you think Peter is feeling? What do you think Jesus is feeling?

Poetry

We all are given storms, we all are given wind. This poem asserts that God will be in the boat, will be in the wind, and will be in the rest that will someday come. 

God’s Will is Best by Caroline H. Mason

Whichever way the wind doth blow, 

Some heart is glad to have it so; 

Then blow it east, or blow it west, 

The wind that blows, that wind is best. 

My little craft sails not alone,— 

A thousand fleets, from every zone, 

Are out upon a thousand seas, 

And what for me were favoring breeze 

Might dash another with the shock 

Of doom upon some hidden rock.

I leave it to a higher Will 

To stay or speed me, trusting still 

That all is well, and sure that He 

Who launched my bark will sail with me 

Through storm and calm, and will not fail, 

Whatever breezes may prevail, 

To land me, every peril past, 

Within His Haven at the last. 

Then blow it east, or blow it west,

The wind that blows, that wind is best.

Source: https://pickmeuppoetry.org/gods-will-is-best-by-caroline-h-mason/

Music

These are all “get out of the boat” songs! They remind us who we trust and why we can have courage in Him. 

Be Strong and Courageous by Colin Buchanan

Fear Not by Ellie Holcomb

Always by Ellie Holcomb

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me by The Lower Lights