"Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid."
John 6:18-19, HCSB
Again we need to establish some mood guidelines, because otherwise this won't make sense. I would categorize the 12 as feeling an immense amount of embarrassmnet, added to physical fatigue, and now as a storm approaches them in the middle of the water, you can throw in a helping of true-blue fear. Exhaustion, as we know, can have an adverse effect on lots of things, and fear is one of them. When tired, everything becomes a little more frightening. Now imagine the aforementioned embarrassment feeding both of those at once, and you've got yourself a hat trick of trouble within yourself.
A point I will make from one song is that Christ, being fully God, has the ability at all time to calm and still the storms in our lives. Personally, I am thankful for those storms and tempests and typhoons He has caused to dissipate in my life. However, pulling from the same song, He also has the ability to calm the person in the storm, without calming the storm itself. The lyric goes, "Sometimes He calms the storm with a whispered, 'Peace, be still.' He can settle any sea, but it doesn't mean He will. Sometimes He holds us close, and lets the wind and waves go wild. Sometimes He calms the storm, and other times He calms His child."* This is the level of power that is held, and the level of understanding as to which one needs to be calmed, and which one needs to run free for the moment, in this moment, for God's purpose.
The 12, scared, tired, and trying to make sense of it all, look up and "saw Jesus walking on the sea." They knew that it was Him. Note, Christian sibling, it doesn't say that they saw an ominous figure walking on the sea, and it doesn't say that they saw something that looked like it was walking on the sea, it says that they "saw Jesus," so clearly they would have had to recognize Him. In that moment, the first time I read this, I was confused as to why they were not relieved that it was Christ coming to them. Then it hit me... people don't walk on water (I know, stellar deduction, right?)!
Back to the mood we're building, they doubted that the people could be fed, and were shamed into acceptance that Christ can do literally ANYTHING. He sends them away so that He can pray, and they are now struggling against the elements, as well as with themselves and their own doubt and guilt. And then, the One they doubted comes walking out "three or four miles," ON THE WATER!!! It's almost as if He's above our laws of physics and gravity, you know?
Now let's put a different look on this, and simplify it a bit... if you saw Jesus Christ walking toward you, in His radiance and holiness and perfection, I believe that you would experience a kind of fear that can only be described as awe-inspired. I believe that the sight would force you to your knees, cause your jaw to drop, and keep you from speaking... even though you wish to shout praise and leap for joy. I know that this would be my reaction, which is why I assume it would be yours, as well. Please notice, however, I didn't mention anything except Him walking up to you. The 12 had seen miracles performed in His Name (which they performed), and had seen Him do wonderous Signs, and they knew first-hand His power and presence. But now they are seeing Him, for the first time, holding authority over the elements and the "natural way" of things. That had to be terrifying.
The best part is still yet to come, but simply reflect for now on the fact that Christ is all-sufficient, and there is no one on earth or in Heaven that we need other than Him. To need anyone else (with respect to the receiving of grace, mercy, and salvation) is to diminish the power of the Atonement on the cross... and that is blasphemy. Christian sibling, Christ is all you need!
God bless you all!!!
*Lyric from "Sometimes He Calms the Storm" from Scott Krippayne's album "I Will Love"
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