When there are problems and difficulties in our life, it’s comforting to know that we have a friend to be there with us. Sometimes, in our darkest and most difficult hours we need someone, but the friends disappear. We’re invisible to them. Or perhaps there is nothing anyone can do. In our reading today from Mark’s Gospel, the disciples are in a predicament, their struggle seems hopeless, and there’s no one to help them. As we shall see, though, Jesus does see them. He does care, and He will help.
After Jesus’s miraculous feeding of five thousand men, in addition to women and children, He told His disciples to get into their boat and cross the Sea of Galilee to the other side while He was going to pray to the Father by Himself (vs 45-46). Jesus often went off alone to pray by Himself. Being in frequent prayer will help us to stay in the will of God. It will also renew our strength, and help us to develop a deeper love for God.
In the meantime, the disciples had taken the boat, and set off to cross the body of water. Jesus had instructed them to sail over to the city of Bethsaida, which was located along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. These men were familiar with sailing, most having grown up around the lake, and many were professional fishermen. Tonight, however, the winds were against them, and try as hard as they could with rowing, they were getting nowhere (vs 48). With the wind as strong as it was, who knew if one of those dangerous storms may not suddenly whip up? How would they ever get to their destination safely?
How many times have we found ourselves in some rather difficult situations? They may not be life-threatening problems, but are certainly distressing. Perhaps it is serious financial problems. Maybe a critical problem in our house, with our car, or at work. Whatever it is, we are struggling with it and getting nowhere by ourselves. Is there anyone out there to help us, or are we all alone?
Where was Jesus through all of this? He had gone off to pray. The entire east side of the Sea of Galilee is mountainous with steep slopes. As Jesus sat there, He looked down and saw the disciples struggling against the wind (vs 48). Jesus saw them! Even in the middle of the night, while being in prayer to the Father, He was not oblivious to their problems. He cared about everything they were going through, including the difficulty they were having in rowing against the wind, and getting to their destination.
Jesus not only saw them and their problem, He cared enough to come to rescue them. The Scriptures say that He came to them, walking upon the water. He did not need another boat to get to them. As the Divine Creator of everything, the water could be as solid as rock if He wished it to be. The disciples were surprised to see Jesus coming to them, but they shouldn’t have been. He is always there when we are in trouble and need Him. They may have lost sight of Jesus, but He never lost sight of them! When we are in deep water, Jesus knows and cares!
Why were the disciples so greatly amazed beyond measure? They had just seen the multiplying of the loaves and fishes the day before. In the last few weeks they had witnessed many miracles, including Him heal a woman from a long-time, chronic illness, raise a young girl from death, cast out a legion of demons from a man, and silence a storm that threatened to destroy them on this very sea. Yet they still did not understand that He was the Messiah, the Son of God (vs 51-52).
When our own problems and fears seem to overwhelm us, do we deal with them ourselves, or do we let Jesus handle it? Jesus is all that we need. Just as He came up beside the disciples in the middle of the night, He comes up to us in our time of fear and apprehension, and tells us to take courage and be of good cheer!
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