Calm in the Storm
Like all other sections in scripture, today’s reading has layers of lessons hidden in it. I want us to dig just under the story of Jesus walking on water to hear a message spoken to our hearts today. The very first verse we read today tells us that Jesus forced his disciples to get into the boat and start crossing the sea without him. This one verse leaves us with so many questions: Why did he force his disciples to leave? How did they think he was going to meet them on the other side? Scripture says they got into the boat, not one of the boats. Was there a plan for fetching Jesus later? We don’t know the answers to those questions, but we do know that the original plan for getting in the boat was to leave civilization and travel to a lonely place for rest and prayer (verse 31). That is exactly what Jesus did after dismissing the crowds and sending the disciples away. In the context of balancing compassion and service with rest and prayer, Jesus gave us a great example of rearranging our schedule to make room for compassion while maintaining the priority of prayer and rest. Jesus did not forgo prayer. He merely delayed it. In this way, he reminds us to make sure we take time to spend time with God. Things often come up which interrupt our plans. A mature Christian never sacrifices time with God for acts of service, though they may need to be creative in making time for prayer. (This truth may also explain why Jesus forced the disciples to leave by boat. The crowds would have assumed Jesus was in the boat with them and be more willing to vacate the area. This quite possibly was the only way Jesus could have gotten time alone with the Lord.)
Next, we see that as Jesus was praying… “he saw that they were distressed in rowing, for the wind was against them.” Picture Jesus looking down upon the sea and discovering the boat has not yet made it to the other side. He sees his disciples rowing with all their might against the wind and making very little progress. Let’s stop right there for a moment and realize two important truths: 1) Even though we are unaware, God notices our struggles. 2) Sometimes we work with all our might and make no progress. This speaks not to our weakness or inability to row (afterall, these men were experienced fishermen), rather, it shows the power of the wind we fight against.
Lastly, we see Jesus’ response to their struggle and get a glimpse of his dealings with us during the storms of our lives. Verse 48 tells us, “He meant to pass by them.” However, when the disciples cried out in fear, he stopped, addressed their fear, and calmed the storm. His initial way of helping his disciples was to walk by them. Don’t mistake this for a lack of caring. Instead, we have to look at the word Mark used to describe the way Jesus walked. The word explains that he was not in a hurry. It was almost a stroll across the tumultuous water. Jesus’ first attempt to calm his disciples was to lead by example. He wasn’t afraid so they could have peace. It is important for us to remember that God is not frightened by the storms we face. We do not have a fearful God, rather we have a God who is always, calmly in control. As much as Jesus wanted them to trust and have faith, he did not leave them in their fear. He did not rebuke them. He comforted them. After he comforted them, he calmed the storm. I have seen this in my life so many times. God never calms the storm first. He comforts me in the wind and the waves. He challenges and encourages me to walk by faith. Then he settles the waves once my faith has been strengthened.
No matter what you face today, be encouraged by Mark 6:45-52. Learn from Christ’s example to prioritize prayer and time alone with God. Be flexible because life rarely stays between the lines. Lastly, “Take heart… have no fear.” God is not surprised or caught off guard, nor does He ever operate in fear.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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