Mark 6:48-51

The next time we see Peter is after Jesus had performed the amazing miracle of feeding more than 5000 people by multiplying five loaves and two fish. He then sent his disciples away in a boat and went apart from them to pray. When the evening came, the boat with the fishermen was in the very middle of the lake, and a storm with strong winds lashed it.

For many hours, they were tossed about in the raging waves as they rowed against the wind to try and cross to their destination. Do you ever feel as though everything is against you and you are rowing against the wind?

There were two occasions when Satan attempted to overcome the disciples in their boat. The first was when Jesus himself was in the boat, asleep. The terrified men woke him up, and he rebuked the storm and the waves, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:23-27). The second time, Jesus was not in the boat. (Matthew 14:22-33, John 6:16-21). On both occasions, it was crossing the lake to new areas to declare the Gospel, and on both occasions, the adversary attempted to stop both Jesus and the disciples from getting there.

It was at the “fourth watch” of the night, probably about 3 am in the early hours of the morning, and the disciples had rowed many hours against the wind and waves. They were exhausted and must have wondered whether this was their last moment before a watery death. It was then, when it seemed all hope was lost, that they saw Jesus walking on the sea!

It must have been a fearful sight. Were their eyes playing tricks on them? Through the lashing rain and pounding seas, they saw a figure! This only added to their fears and they cried out in great terror that it was a ghost. Was this the angel of death coming for their souls they wondered? Immediately Jesus spoke above the storm and said “Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid.”

How quick he was to calm their fears. He has not changed. He knows how easily we become afraid.

We may ask, “Why did it take him so long to come to them?” The answer is that he was in long and earnest prayer, but the Gospel of Mark records that from where he was, he saw them in their struggle! (Mark 6:48).

He knew exactly where they were and what was happening and was praying for them. How could he reach them right out in the middle of the lake? Could he find a boat or a rescue party? That would have been impossible. There was no human help available. It was then that he did the impossible and came walking on the waves.

God never loses sight of us, even in our darkest nights. In the greatest storm and when no human help is available, he is able to do the impossible. He is the master over storms and walks upon them.

Now we see a very significant thing – he did not rush to their assistance but made as if he would have passed them by. It says they all saw him but it was Peter who now did something extraordinary. He cried out “Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.“

How often do we pray for help and want the Lord to stop the storms in our lives, calm the terrors we face, and change the troubles that seem to overcome us? But Peter did not cry for that; he cried, “Bid me, come on the water.” he had already learnt from the previous time that Jesus could still a storm.

Have we learnt that lesson? He is able to still our storms

Immediately Jesus replied with just one word “Come”. At that one word, Peter got out of the boat, let go of it, and walked on the water!

So often, we focus on the fact that Peter, when he took his eyes off Jesus and saw that the wind was boisterous, became afraid and began to sink. We forget that he actually walked out on the water and overcame his fear. No one else has ever done that but Peter. However, he made one mistake: he took his eyes off the Lord and looked at the raging waves around him. He had for a moment become the new Peter, steady and sure, but had reverted to being a reed, tossed about by the storm around him.

Even then, when he felt himself sinking, he knew what to do and called out, “Lord, save me”. Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him. Oh, what comforting words, not a rebuke but an admonition and encouragement, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Amid the most dreadful circumstances and our most despairing moments, we should not doubt that Jesus is only a hand away from us.

Hand in hand, Peter and the Lord walked through the storm. When they got into the boat, the wind ceased, and there was perfect peace.

You and I can do the same. He does not always stop the storm or change our circumstances, but he walks with us through the storms of life. Our faith in Jesus not only delivers us but, perhaps more importantly, impacts others, too.

Many around us are in the “same boat we are in”, experiencing the same trials, and our faith can make a difference for them. Notice how all in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly, You are the Son of God.” 

Can you see the pattern in all this and the lessons that Jesus wants us to learn? He knew all the time exactly where the disciples were and the trouble they were in. He was praying for them and coming to them. Notice his little tests, as if he would pass them by, and notice his encouragement and intervention. 

What is the Key verse in this account? It is from the words of Jesus, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

We might ask – “Why did Peter doubt?” It was because he became afraid even after the Lord had said they should not fear.

What should you do in times of crisis in your life?