Immediately after this Jesus made his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake while he sent the people home........Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from the land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About 3 o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. .......... And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Matthew 14:22-32 NLT Selected
Jesus had just fed 5,000 men plus women and children with five loaves of bread and 2 fish. An amazing miracle of multiplication which the disciples took part in. Then Jesus urged them to head for home and leave him some space for prayer. Did he know that he was sending them out alone into a lake that would threaten to drown them? I guess he did!
While he prayed, the disciples began to have a hard time with the wind whipping the waves up. The going got very tough and then suddenly they see a ghost (they thought), out on the water. Could this be an omen of coming death? Grown men started to scream in terror... I can't imagine what they said! But then comes a reassuring, familiar voice that says, "It's all right. I am here! Don't be afraid."(vs 27).
Peter then calls to Jesus, "If it's really you, call me to come to you walking on the water." What on earth possessed him do make such a request? I believe it was the Holy Spirit. Why? Because from this story we gather such a fund of information for faith teaching. This would not be the last time Peter would act so impulsively but I believe God loved it! He loved Peter's boldness. Yes he knew he'd have to save him from the waves but he was okay with that.
What struck me afresh as I read this story was the fact that although Jesus came to them in the midst of their storm. He let them struggle for awhile, he didn't just appear in the boat and the storm was stilled. He allowed Peter to step into a storm that was far bigger than he could handle Jesus didn't still the waves for him as he stepped out of the boat and he didn't rescue them all until they called to him. But he was there, nearby, ready to come into the boat when invited.
When we go through 'rough seas' in our lives, Jesus is always nearby, watching, monitoring the circumstances. He says to us, "It's all right. It's me." I believe He allows the rough seas to come up in our lives to test us, to prove us and to make us stronger. Sometimes the things that happen are so painful and we think we can't go on again, but he says, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." It is up to us to invite him into our rocking boat and it's then that the waves are stilled.
Does this mean that the storm in our life disappears? Often not, but the very presence of the One who stills the storm, calms the inner storm that takes place and the situation takes on a new perspective. James tells us "Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." (James 1:1-3)This is not an easy thing to do but the secret to being able to let it be an opportunity for joy is in allowing yourself to see that it is an opportunity for growth, and inviting Jesus into your situation and 'ride' along with you.
Our children have to take some falls in life as they learn to walk. They have to take knocks throughout their growing up but, handled correctly, these cause a strength of character to arise. It is often a great temptation for parents to rescue their children from difficulties so they don't have to feel the pain, but it is good if we can take our cue from Jesus and stand by and pray that they learn the lessons that will equip them to handle life when we are not around. If we rescue them they won't learn to cry out to Jesus and invite him into their 'boat'.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you are always nearby in the storms of our life. Some storms are the consequences of our own poor choices, but other storms are permitted by you to do a work of grace in our lives. No matter what the cause, please help me to learn the lesson, see the purpose and walk through the storm with you close to me. Amen
