A Boat
A Boat
16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
John 6:16-17
When we read this same story in another gospel we see that it was Jesus himself that said to cross the lake without him but here it is left unknown. It is written in a way as to almost suggest that they decided to cross ahead of him, expecting him and yet ‘it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them’.
How many times do we do this in our life? We get anxious about something or impatient and go on ahead with a plan before letting God lead. This, as you could expect, never turns out well.
18 Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.
John 6:18
How many storms do we sometimes encounter because of our impatience? How many times do we put ourselves in danger because we run off ahead of God?
19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
John 6:19-20
I love the fact that it mentions that they were 3 or 4 miles away when they first notice Jesus walking towards them. It doesn’t matter how far we run on ahead, Jesus knows where we are and when to come. He has His plan and even when we mess it up, He has a way of righting it again. It’s also funny that instead of being happy, it is said that they were afraid. We often do the same- though with us, many times it’s out of embarrassment and shame.
21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
John 6:21
They willingly received Him into the boat. That is our greatest need. Some are and some will be alone in a boat in the middle of a storm. Don’t be afraid, Jesus is already walking on the water. All you have to do is willingly receive Him.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto