Jesus Walks on Water

Dear friends:  This Sunday we will look at one of the most famous passages from Jesus' ministry -- Jesus walking on water.  The events of this passage have led to a lot of jokes (mostly poking fun at we clergy!), but the events described are no laughing matter.

 

A number of things pop out even for the casual reader.  Jesus makes the disciples get into the boat and go across the Lake, even though the weather was getting nasty.  That means He knew they were going to have trouble navigating the choppy water.  And even though the disciples had just seen Jesus feed the 5,000 with a mere five loaves and two fish, they still don't recognize Him, and are terrified by Him as He steps into the boat.  Mark tells us that the "hearts of the disciples were hardened," leading them to unbelief and not faith.

 

But perhaps the strangest thing of all about this passage is that, according to Mark, Jesus intended to walk past the frightened disciples, and their cries changed His mind.  Why would Jesus walk past His disciples when they were so obviously in need?

 

Well, I can't let the cat out of the bag just yet -- come Sunday to hear "the rest of the story."  But suffice it to say that this passage teaches us, in part, to expect God to sometimes be with us in surprising ways.  After all, who would've imagined Jesus would walk across the water to reach His followers!? 

 

Sometimes it seems to all of us that God is just going to walk on by us, even in the midst of our distress.  But then -- surprise, surprise! -- the Lord is right there, stilling the storms of life.  It was not the presence of God that is lacking in times of trouble.  It is only our own faith that sometimes takes a vacation in those difficult times of life.