“When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid! ” Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading.”
John 6:16-21
So the same night that Jesus fed the 5,000 men, His disciples get into a boat to cross the lake (Sea of Galilee). Darkness falls and a storm blows up.
Here in America’s heartland, we often have large thunderstorms form as a result of hot moist air from the Gulf of Mexico colliding with cold air from the north and off of the Rocky Mountains. These huge storms often produce high winds, torrential rain, hail, lightening and even tornados. Such is the climate over the Sea of Galilee. The moist air from the Mediterranean Sea collides with the hot desert air from the east, usually right above this small body of water that separates them, causing huge storms. Such was the case the night the disciples were trying to row across this lake.
Now at least 4 of these 12 disciples were seasoned fisherman and had been fisherman all their lives. They were brawney amd manly and used to storms, but this storm was a whopper, and even they were afraid their boat would sink!
Where was Jesus? In Matthew’s account of this story (14:23), Jesus had gone back to the mountain to pray. Whatever the case, the disciples were alone and afraid on this stormy, churning lake and they see in the distance, a familiar figure, walking towards them on the water!
Now they’re TOTALLY freaked out! Is this a apparition or a ghost- what are they hallucinating? Jesus said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid” (vs 20), so at that, they were willing to let Jesus into the boat. The second He came aboard, the sea stopped turning, the wind stopped blowing and the lake was placid. In their astonishment, the disciples realized that Jesus even had power over the weather: the winds, the rain, the storm – Jesus was in total control!
One more thing – in the last verse of today’s passage it says that they were immediately at the shore. Jesus even has power over space-time continuum!
What is your storm today? What situation in your life, are you about to drown in? Depression? Loss? Grief? Addiction? Illness? Lack? Whatever it is, Jesus would like to come into your boat and calm your sea! Invite Him to do so today!
Think about it!
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