“Now when evening came, the boat (with Jesus’ disciples) was in the middle of the sea; and Jesus was alone…He saw them straining at rowing, for THE WIND WAS AGAINST THEM. Now about the fourth watch (between 3 A.M. and 6 A.M.) of the night He came to them, WALKING ON THE SEA…And when they saw Him…they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out…But IMMEDIATELY He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! IT IS I; DO NOT BE AFRAID.“ (Mark 6:47-50)
This was the miracle that convinced them of just who Jesus was, “Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “TRULY YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD.” (Matt. 14:33) This body of water is 700 feet below the Mediterranean Sea level, and is greatly susceptible to sudden and extremely violent storms. Matthew tells us “…the boat was now in the middle of the sea, TOSSED BY THE WAVES, for the wind was opposing.” (Matt. 14:24) They had been rowing and straining at their oars for approaching nine hours! They were totally exhausted, but Jesus ALWAYS COMES TO US in the storms of life. “When you pass through the waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you…” (Isa. 43:2) Why did Jesus walk on the water? To show His disciples that the very thing they feared, the raging, seething sea, was merely a set of steps for Jesus to come to them. “Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and IMMEDIATELY THE BOAT WAS AT THE LAND where they were going.” (John 6:21)
WILL DO NOT BE AFRAID JESUS IS RIGHT HERE…
-Bill Stockham