In the Midst of a Storm

Mark 6:45-51

And 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. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And 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. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For 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. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and
they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

In the midst of their struggle, I can imagine that the disciples felt a bit discourage that Jesus was not there. I imagine that they looked left and right, but did not see the Lord anywhere. I imagine they wondered where He was. But high upon a mountain, there Jesus was. He saw them in the storm. He saw them toil and struggle. He saw them from a high position. He saw their white-knuckles and concerned wrinkled brows.

The disciples were in distress at sea. The wind was against them. Tossed by waves, propelled by a contrary current, with the wind in their face, they labored to cross to the otherside as Jesus had commanded them. As they struggled in the sea, Jesus prayed on the mountain. He saw them, He prayed, He prayed for them.

Life is a sea. We are often like a ship at sea, tossed with tempests, unsteady from storms, weary from the winds that blow us to and fro, uneasy and unstable from the force around us. We may be saved, we may tithe, we may have the best prayer-life that we know how to, but the storms will come, the wind and tide will come against us. Aren't you glad we have a Master seated in His heavenly throne, interceding for us.

Jesus came to them. Now, this is God, He could have calmed the winds from His location on the mountain or He could have sent angels to rescue the disciples, but Jesus came to them in a personable way by walking to them on top of the water. He's a personal Saviour that saves in a personal way.

He came, walking on the waters. No doubt, waves were white-capping, winds were howling, but here comes Jesus! Here He comes, walking through it, walking on it. Any obstacles throughout this life that may be thrown in our way - the Lord is mightier.

Let me put it like the apostle Paul,

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" (1 Cor.
4:8-9)

Jesus knew that the disciples, He was sending out into the world, would face difficulties, storms, and struggles. Perhaps they remembered this miraculous night when they ran into troubles out on the missionary trail. Perhaps they remembered seeing Jesus come through the tempest walking on the water. Perhaps they remembered how they had gotten scared and thought He was a demon or a ghost. Perhaps they remembered the reassuring voice of the Master when He said, "Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid." Perhaps they remembered how the wind ceased after He boarded their boat. Perhaps this night was to strengthen their faith once they were commissioned to go out into the world.

Jesus knows that you are going to face difficulties, storms, and struggles, too. Perhaps, you too, will remember this point in time when the Lord Himself showed divine power and protection to His disciples. Perhaps, you too, will remember this story when your little ship is tossed to and fro by the stormy seas of this life. Perhaps, you too, will remember this chapter when it looks like there is no way to make it through. Perhaps, you too, will remember this bit of history when your back is against the wall. Perhaps, you too, will remember these words when things look bad. Perhaps, you too, will remember that when it looks like God is nowhere around to just keep on looking and somewhere in the shadows is Jesus.