Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Often times life is definitely not “gently down the stream”. There is an account in the Gospels that even non-Christians are familiar with: Jesus walking on the water. Clearly a miracle like that will always get the attention, but perhaps we can take note for just a moment at some smaller details surrounding this miracle.

This miracle occurred not too long after the feeding of the 5,000. In the account of Mark chapter 6 it states:

45Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. 47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. NIV

A couple of interesting things here. First is the fact that Jesus purposefully sent them out, knowing full well what was in store for them.

Second is the timing that Jesus went to them. The “fourth watch” in those days would have been during the 3AM to 6AM time period (my favorite part or the day, by the way). It doesn’t say at what time He observed them straining, however, it does intimate they had been struggling for quite awhile.

I think it’s very interesting that He didn’t intervene immediately. He observed them first to see if they could struggle through their situation. When the time was right, however, He chose to go to them. Jesus sees us when we’re straining. We don’t have to call out to him…He just comes to us because that’s the way He is.

It’s also interesting to note that He immediately alleviated their fears once they saw Him approaching. Curious thing, that we want so much to have miracles come and save us from our peril...and then when it really happens miraculously we cower in fear and wonderment.

When I’m struggling against the winds and currents of life, I take great comfort knowing that Jesus is watching me and seeing my plight. I know He will address my situation in the right timing. I know He will ultimately keep me safe and let me cross that sea of trouble intact.

The God I serve is a God that loves His creation; loves to watch what I do personally. That’s a pretty hard concept to wrap this pedestrian mind around...but I’ll take it. So the next time I want a miracle in my life and one actually happens, I trust I will be more in awe than wigged out...even if it’s Jesus himself approaching me on the water.

Blessings!

Greg Morton
Copyright © April, 2014

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