Passing Through the Storm

"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. When they had rowed about three or four miles,[b] they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going." - John 6:16-21

In the book of Mark and Matthew, we know that Jesus made his disciples to get into the boat. They are going to cross the sea of Galilee not by their choice but because Jesus told them to do it. However, we also know from the Geographical context that the sea of Galilee is known for its sudden violent wind storms that make the lake dangerous. It was situated 600 feet below sea level in a cuplike depression among the hills. Why would Jesus make his disciples cross such dangerous area?

It also says that Jesus had not come with them instead, He just asked them to cross it without Him. As they got into the boat and tried to cross the sea, In Matthew 14:25 of the same story, we know that this happened in the fourth watch of the night, which in the context of their time, means that it was around 3am of that night. We could assume that they rowed hard for at least 6-8 hours and probably made a little progress. Not only that, but interestingly, in Mark 6:48, it says that "He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them" Jesus watched his disciples as they rowed across the lake struggling, frustrated, tired and afraid. As if God doesn’t care.

Is this assumption true? I remember how his disciples on a similar story uttered, "Lord, don't you care if we drown?" But they are there under the will of Jesus. They are there because Jesus asked them to do it, it's scandalous to say, but it's as if Jesus chose that storm for them. Then He left them, went to the mountain to pray, and watched them from afar as they struggled hard.

What can we realize from this story?

As Jesus is watching them, God is not being passive, but is showing us an image that “He is on the mountain while we are on the sea. The stable eternity of the Heavens holds Him; we are tossed on the restless mutability of time, over which we toil at His command.” (Maclaren) Keep in mind, that they are there because it's exactly where God asked them to be and they are doing what exactly the Lord asked them to do. This is important to remember because this is a hope we can anchor our hearts into. If the storm was chosen by Jesus for us, it also means that it passed through the filters of His sovereign and loving hands.

But why did Jesus leave them all alone?

Remember that in a similar story, the disciples already encountered a storm, Jesus was with them inside the boat, but was sleeping. Then He woke up and calmed it. However in this situation the Lord did something else, He intentionally didn't go with them because in this particular storm, Jesus is asking His disciples to trust His unseen care and concern. When we are facing the storms of life, we forget how (in some phases of life) that the Lord brought us there by His choice and appointment. Therefore, the same Jesus who asked us to get into the boat will also keep us until we reach the other side.

Just as they are rowing hard, tired, afraid and frustrated, Jesus showed up walking on the water. In His calming words said, “It is I; do not be afraid." As they were in this place of frustration doing the will of Jesus, the book of Mark adds that Jesus 'meant to pass by them'. "as though He had wished that the mere vision of Himself should prove sufficient support and assurance to them.” (Trench)

When they saw Jesus walking on water, they were frightened thinking Jesus was a ghost. Just a few hours ago, they were with Jesus and yet in the middle of the storm, they've forgotten how the Lord looked like. How forgetful the heart of man can be. In the same way, they also failed to ask for help. (check the passage again, none of them cried out for help) They failed to remember that the Lord moves in supernatural ways. When in fact, before this story they have seen the Lord move in supernatural ways through the feeding of the 5,000. The Lord even asked them to bring along 12 baskets of left over as a reminder of His supernatural provision and ways. He made sure that his disciples are carrying a reminder of His miracle.

Then Jesus asks Peter to walk on water. We all know this story how in just a split second of turning his eyes from Jesus to the raging seas, he drowned. Then as they invited Jesus to get into the boat, it is important to notice that the text says 'immediately', the boat was at the land to which they were going. (John 6:21) ‘Immediately’ when they ‘willingly’ received Jesus, the boat miraculously reached the other side. It’s as if they couldn’t reach their destination unless the situation is touched by the divine.

Don't we all act like these disciples. knowing that Jesus asked us to go, move and do something then the wind comes and out of our frustration, we forget just as how Jesus did miracles for us in the past. We fail to trust God's unseen care and provision. We are frustrated, afraid and is drowning in our struggles, forgetting that even the storm, is under God's sovereign will and everything that we go through, good or bad, life-giving or heart-breaking, in the storm or outside the storm, all these things have passed through the filters of God's loving hands.

If you are reading this and you are at a specific season, time and place because of God's appointment, I want you to remember that Jesus is watching. The Lord is confident that the storm cannot drown his will and purpose for your life. And as you invite Jesus to get into your boat, I pray that you will immediately see that you are already in the place where you are supposed to be. Truly, Jesus' presence changes the course of things.

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