“Affliction may be lasting, but it is not everlasting.”
Thomas Watson
After the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. The Gospel of John records the disciples’ experience without mentioning the actions of Jesus, “When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.” (John 6:16-18) The sea of Galilee, partially surrounded by hills and being six hundred feet below sea level, was subject to fast developing storms and severe winds. Some of the disciples were experienced fishermen but this storm was severe and they were not making headway toward their destination.
What was Jesus doing during this time? Here is a portion of the account from the Gospel of Mark:
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Mark 6:45-48a, NIV
47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake.
What was Jesus doing? There are four main activities of Jesus from this account. 1) Jesus had orchestrated this circumstance by commanding them to go on ahead of him; 2) Jesus spent time in prayer and was alone during this season of intercession. What was he praying about? The text does not tell us. He could have been praying about the misguided crowds and their desire to make him a king by force or for himself as he looked forward to the work that God the Father had called him to complete. Perhaps, he was praying for his disciples as the winds raged and they struggled to keep the boat moving; 3) Jesus saw the disciples. He observed them that they were “straining at the oars.” Was his heart moved? And then finally, 4) He went out to them. He made his way toward the boat, walking on the water.
Jesus went to his disciples in their need. His message was threefold: “Take courage.” “It is I.” “Do not be afraid.” (John 6:20; Mark 6:50; Matthew 14:27) The commands to “take courage” and to “fear not” are couched between the reason that all of this is possible, the “It is I.” Today, invite Jesus into the midst of the storm and remember this about the disciples, their seeing Jesus began with Jesus seeing them. He cares for you.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
