The Lord Jesus and His disciples had had what we would conventionally call “a long day”! After having gone away privately by ship in order to have some rest from the incessant demands made on them, they found that the crowds had outrun them around the lake and were waiting for them. The Lord Jesus’ compassion never failed, however, and instead of rebuking these thoughtless people, He willingly taught them, for they were “as sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:3434And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)). Then, when the day was “far spent” and there was nothing to eat, He worked a miracle and fed five thousand men from five loaves and two fishes. Even from a natural point of view, the energy involved in first rowing across the lake, then teaching the people, and finally organizing and feeding such a crowd must have taken its toll on all of them.
The Lord then sent the disciples away by ship, while He went into a mountain to pray. They went by His command, yet found the conditions most difficult. The “wind was contrary,” and as a result they were “toiling in rowing.” It was no easy job to row, for they evidently departed during the daylight, but then, as time went on, they found themselves in darkness and making very little headway. Already tired from the day’s activities, they were now compelled to row all night, with the wind against them. We can easily see why they might become discouraged and wonder if the Lord cared.
The Lord’s Care
But the Lord’s eye was on them in all their distress. Satan no doubt had his hand in this storm, for he hates to see blessing for mankind, but the storm was allowed of the Lord. Although standing alone on the land and at night, He saw them in their plight — “toiling in rowing.” The fact that circumstances are against us — “the wind contrary” — is not in itself a sign that we have missed the Lord’s mind or are acting contrary to His will. No, they were in the ship at the Lord’s command, and the difficulties were allowed of Him. He was well aware of their distress and wanted to teach them a most important lesson.
During that long night He no doubt had prayed for them, as He spent time in the mountain with His Father. They were dear to His heart, and He longed for them. Finally, in “the fourth watch of the night,” He comes to them. The Roman watches were three hours long, beginning at six o’clock in the evening, so the fourth watch would be from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. — the most difficult watch in which to keep awake. Yet the Lord waited until then, allowing them to row against the wind and waves. Why did He wait so long, and then, when He did come, made as if He would pass them by?
He cared for them, but they wanted another miracle. They wanted easier circumstances: perhaps freedom from the press of the crowds, freedom from the constant demands made on them, freedom from the toil of rowing against the wind. When they saw the Lord, they cried out, fearing a spirit. But then His words are so significant and so precious. He does not say, “Do not worry; I will calm this storm.” No, He simply assures them of His presence: “It is I; be not afraid.”
The State of Soul
Their state of soul comes out in verse 52 — “they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.” They had doubtless seen the Lord perform many miracles, including healing as well as feeding the hungry. They had also seen His power over a storm in chapter 4, where the sea was calmed instantly at His command. Yet their heart was hardened, for they did not realize in whose presence they were. The Lord could easily have stilled the wind and made it easier for them, yet He allowed them to toil most of the night, in order to draw them to Himself.
What the Lord Is to Me
It is one thing to recognize and value the Lord’s power, but He wants more than that; He wants us to value Himself. Had they considered the miracle of the loaves, it would have enlarged their faith in the Lord, as to who He was. A miracle might prove His interest in His people, but the real effect should be to draw us to Himself. No amount of working of miracles will take the place of Himself, and when we have Him, His power is there for us. What God is to me is far more than anything He does for me. As soon as He comes into the ship, the storm ceases, and this time without any direct command. On a previous occasion, He had rebuked the storm and stilled it with His word. Now, it was His presence that made the difference.
So it is in our lives. Many dear believers go through life “toiling in rowing,” and all this, too, even in service for the Lord and in the pathway of His will. They sometimes wonder why He does not intervene and smooth things out for them and make life easier. They wonder why, so to speak, they are compelled not only to feed the hungry, but then row all night afterward. If we really must forego our well-deserved rest in order to minister to thoughtless and self-centered people, should we not at least be entitled to a calm sea on which to row afterward?
But the Lord does care, and He cares so deeply that He wants to draw us closer to Him. If we value the Lord’s company and value Him for who He is, we may still face difficult circumstances, but we will find that His company calms our spirits and calms the storm too. There are thus two ways of going through life as a believer. One is constantly to be “toiling in rowing”; the other is to invite the Lord Jesus into the ship.
W. J. Prost