The news was awful. Their friend, John the Baptist, had been killed, beheaded by Herod. Jesus and His disciples needed some time in a solitary place to grieve, but the crowds followed them. And because Jesus had compassion on the large crowd, instead of solitary time, they spent the day assisting Jesus in healing the sick and then as evening approached, feeding this large crowd. It was a long, exhausting day and so Jesus “made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.” (Matthew 14:22).
Matthew tells us that Jesus chose not to go with them, because He needed time alone to think and pray. While the story does not say this, I am inclined to think that part of Jesus’ praying was for the men He had just sent on a dark night journey by boat across the wide sea with deep waters.
It is during the pre-dawn darkness that a storm sweeps down upon the disciples with threatening winds and waves. “Straining at the oars” to keep their boat afloat, they see only the tall waves of wild water cascading over their boat and filling them with the fear of death.
What they did not know was that Jesus had gone up on a mountainside to pray and was watching them.
“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.” (vv. 25-26).
The story reminds us that it often takes courage and faith to follow Jesus’ instructions. To get into the boat of life and begin a journey across the sea of life is no small thing. It can be extremely dramatic, even frightening.
Both biblical stories and church history teach us that the church in their obedience to Jesus Christ will experience life-threatening storms. And, likewise, it is the obedient followers of Jesus who will most likely find themselves being battered and torn by stormy seas of terrifying physical, emotional, economic, or political situations.
That is what this story is about. Whether you are tossing on a bed or tossing in a boat. Whether the storm is without or the storm is within you, the only thing that will calm and satisfy your troubled mind and spirit, is the presence and help of the One named “Jesus.” Which is precisely the One who comes to you in any storm, if our biblical story is to be believed.
It is in the fourth watch of the night, when everything seems contrary and out of control, that Jesus comes to His disciples, walking on the turbulent, threatening waves of a stormy sea. During the darkest, most dangerous time of the night, Jesus comes.
Yes, yes! When the sea is so wide and our boat is so small and the storms of life are raging, Jesus comes. When we are up a creek with no paddle, and even if we had a paddle, our arms are too tired to hold it, Jesus comes. When we are the weariest, Jesus comes. When it is too dark to see, or worst yet, too dark to hope, Jesus comes.
Some of the most reassuring words we can hear are the words of Jesus speaking to us from within the storm, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (v.27). He comes to calm our greatest fears with a pledge of His unshakable presence and in full control of the storm.
When Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I,” the Greek understanding would be “I am.” As Jesus stood there, Sovereign over the terrifying stormy waters, we hear him saying to His disciples, “Take courage. I am here. I am what I will be, Lord in the storm. I am with you and will talk and strengthen you in the storm.”
Jesus comes to us in our most desperate moments in the same way. He does not begin by overruling the forces of nature, but by telling us to look up, to see and feel the reality of His presence, power, and love. To acknowledge this reality and live in it, will enable us to journey through any and every storm with fearless confidence and strength.
If we know that He is personally present with us in the storm, the calming of the sea and the stopping of the winds are incidental miracles. Because, you see, the greatest truth is that whenever and wherever Jesus is present the wildest, most terrifying storm becomes a calm wind with Jesus’ in our boat and in control of the storm. The presence of Jesus and the love of God which flows from the Cross bring peace, calm, and trustful serenity to our fears. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus’ presence is our assurance and strength, even as it was for the psalmist who wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4).
Jesus, please come by here, into our different worlds, into our differing storms, and reassure our fearful hearts. Come, O Lord, we need you now.
<><><><>
“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – November 10, 2022
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
Leave a comment