Last week we talked about the Lord Jesus Christ calming the fierce storm that was about to sink the little ship that He and His disciples were in. Another time the disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, but this time the Lord Jesus was not in the boat with them. Let’s see what happened in this storm. It is recorded in the Bible in Matthew 14:22-2322And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:22‑23) and in Mark 6:45-5145And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. (Mark 6:45‑51).
It was the night after the miracle of the Lord’s feeding the five thousand men and many other women and children. He had sent His disciples on ahead in the boat while He sent the people back to their homes. After they left He went up into a mountain by Himself to pray. Evening came and He was still praying, and He continued praying for most of the night.
This should be an example for us, shouldn’t it? The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the One who instantly quieted the wind and waves, the One who fed perhaps ten thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fishes, was in prayer for many hours. How much time do we spend in prayer? We who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour are walking through a stormy world. Do we spend time in prayer before Him, asking for His help and guidance each day?
It was now between 3:00 and 6:00 in the morning, and the disciples were struggling to control the boat. It does not say that it was a storm, but that the winds were contrary. The winds were probably coming from different directions, which made rowing very difficult. They had been out on the lake for about 12 hours and still had not reached the other side.
As the disciples struggled with the boat against the wind, they must have been thinking of the time, perhaps just a few nights earlier, when the Lord had quieted the wind. That surely would help them now, but He was not with them.
Suddenly through the mist and darkness of the night the disciples saw the figure of someone walking on the water. They forgot about the problems they were having with the boat in the wind. They sat with their eyes fastened on the form that was moving slowly across the rolling waves. They were frightened and cried out, since they thought it was a ghost.
They did not know it was the Lord Jesus. Yet, as they watched they heard His familiar voice say, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Matthew 14:2727But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (Matthew 14:27).
Peter, one of the disciples who was in the boat, was so relieved when he heard the Lord’s voice that he called to Him saying, “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.” verse 28. He remembered what the Lord Jesus had done to the wind and waves. He had seen the other miracles the Lord had done, so he knew that if it were the Lord He could enable him to walk on the surface of the water, just as the Lord was doing.
The Lord’s answer was “Come.” Isn’t this the same word that He says to each of us? He says in Isaiah 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1), “Come ye to the waters.” In John 7:3737In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37) His word is, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” Then again in Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17) He says, “Let him that is athirst come.” Yes, for the thirsty soul the Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who can satisfy. Whether it is to a lost sinner in need of a Saviour, or for a troubled Christian with problems, the Lord Jesus lovingly tells us, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).
At the Lord’s invitation Peter climbed over the side of the boat. The Lord had said “Come,” and in faith Peter stepped out onto the water. Trusting the Lord to uphold him using the mighty power that only He has, Peter began to walk across the rolling waves. Can you imagine what Peter must have felt like?
Yet Peter had not gone very far when he took his eyes off the Lord and began looking around. When he saw the wind and the waves, he was afraid. Then doubts came into his mind. He must have thought, “What am I doing?” He forgot that it was the Lord who was upholding him, and he began to sink. He must have thought he was going to drown, so he called, “Lord, save me.” verse 30.
Immediately the Lord was by his side, lifting him from the water and leading him back to the boat.
“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” the Lord says to him, verse 31. Do we have doubts that the Lord is going to do everything for us that is for our good? Yes, I’m afraid that each of us does. We take a step in faith, and then begin to look around and have doubts. We take our eyes off the Lord and soon step off the path He wants us to take.
As soon as the Lord and Peter reached the boat, again the wind stopped blowing.
The disciples thought about all that had happened the day before—the healing of the sick, the feeding of the many thousands of people, and now the Lord Himself walking on the water. When they thought also about His allowing Peter to walk on the water and then saving him, and then again calming the storm, the disciples “were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.” Mark 6:5151And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. (Mark 6:51). There in the darkness of the boat they gathered around the Lord Jesus and worshipped Him, saying, “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.” Matthew 14:3333Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:33). Can you say that?
ML-11/06/1983