Jesus Calms Our Storms

⁴⁵ Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while He sent the people home. ⁴⁶ After telling everyone goodbye, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. Mark 6:45-46 (NLT)

After Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5,000 men plus women and children (Matthew 14:21), Jesus dismissed the crowd. Then, Jesus instructed His disciples to get into the boat (Mark 6:45; see also Matthew 14:22). John’s Gospel indicated that the crowds were ready to take Jesus by force and make Him King after the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes (John 6:14-15). However, Jesus was already King but His Kingdom was not of this world (e.g., see Matthew 27:11, 37; John 18:33, 36-37; Revelation 19:16). Therefore, Jesus compelled His disciples get into a boat as He dismissed the crowd (Mark 6:45; see also Matthew 14:22).

Then, Jesus went up into the hills alone to pray (Mark 6:46; see also Matthew 14:23; John 6:16-17). Jesus always made room in His busy schedule to be alone with God the Father in prayer and fellowship (e.g., see Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Mark 14:32-36; Luke 11:1). The New Testament reveals Jesus in continual fellowship with God the Father in prayer (e.g., see Luke 9:28-29; Luke 22:32; Luke 23:34, 46). Jesus prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21), before He chose the Twelve (Luke 6:12), when the crowds increased (Luke 5:16), before He asked the Twelve for their confession of faith (Luke 9:18), at His Transfiguration (Luke 9:29) and in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:41). If Jesus depended on prayer during His public ministry on earth (Hebrews 5:7), then we too must continually stay in prayer with God the Father (see Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

⁴⁷ Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. ⁴⁸ He (Jesus) saw that they (His disciples) were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking He was a ghost. ⁵⁰ They were all terrified when they saw Him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Do not be afraid,” He said. “Take courage! I am here!” Mark 6:47-50 (NLT)

During the night, Jesus’ disciples were in their boat out in the middle of the lake when a storm suddenly arose (John 6:18). Jesus saw that His disciples were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the strong winds and waves (Mark 6:47-48; see also Matthew 14:24; John 6:18). Then, Jesus walked on the water to come save His struggling disciples (Mark 6:48; see also Matthew 14:25; John 6:19). Jesus’ walking on the water was a special display of Jesus’ majestic power, divine nature and transcendence as God Incarnate (see Job 9:8; Psalm 89:9; Isaiah 51:10, 15; Jeremiah 31:35; John 1:1-5, 15). When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water beside them they screamed in terror, thinking He was a ghost (Mark 6:49-50; see also Matthew 14:26; John 6:19). Then, Jesus calmed His frightened disciples and said, “Do not be afraid . . . . Take courage. I AM here!” (Matthew 14:27; see also Mark 6:50; John 6:20). “I AM here” was intended by Jesus to reveal His divine disclosure as God Incarnate (Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 43:10, 13; see also Matthew 1:21, 23; John 1:1-5, 14; Colossians 1:15, 19; Hebrews 1:1-3).

¹ Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. . . . ⁴ For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. ⁵ And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1, 4-5 (NLT)

Interestingly in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus started to walk past His disciples (Mark 6:48). Some commentaries argue Jesus wanted to let His disciples fend for themselves for them to recognize and deal with their deep needs (Mark 6:48). Other commentaries argue this scene also recalls God's self-revelation to Moses at Exodus 33:17–34:8 and the prophet Elijah at 1 Kings 19:11-13. Regardless of which view you accept, the disciples should have realized that Jesus would always help them when they were in trouble (see Matthew 28:20; John 14:26). Though the disciples had lost sight of Jesus, Jesus had not lost sight of them. Jesus’ love and concern for God’s people overcame their lack of faith during their struggles (Psalm 23:1, 4). Jesus is truly our Lord, Savior, Healer, Provider, and Protector (John 16:33; see also Hebrews 4:14-16).

²⁸ Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to You, walking on the water.” ²⁹ “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt Me?” ³² When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. ³³ Then the disciples worshiped Him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. Matthew 14:28-33 (NLT)

In Matthew’s Gospel, the Gospel writer reveals Peter calling to Jesus saying, “Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to You, walking on the water” (Matthew 14:28, NLT). Jesus told Peter to “come” (Matthew 14:29). So, Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus (Matthew 14:29). However, when Peter looked around at the high waves, he became afraid and terrified and began to sink (Matthew 14:30). Peter was the only disciple in the boat to experience a rather unusual demonstration of God's power. However, Peter started to sink when took his eyes off Jesus in faith and focused on the high waves and storm. Doubt made Peter fail! Fear and faith cannot live in the same heart, for fear always blinds the eyes to the presence of Jesus. We must keep our eyes on Jesus! Faith is a mindset that expects God to act. When we set our expectation on Jesus, we can overcome our fears (see Hebrews 12:2)! “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12). In spite of terrifying circumstances, if we trust our lives to Jesus for His safekeeping, Jesus will give us peace in any storm.

Then, Peter cried out to Jesus, “Save me, Lord!” (Matthew 14:30). Jesus immediately reached out His hand and rescued Peter (Matthew 14:31). Jesus said “You have so little faith . . . . Why did you doubt Me?” (Matthew 14:31; see also James 1:5-8). Then, Jesus climbed into the boat with His disciples and the storming winds immediately stopped (Mark 6:51; see also Matthew 14:32; John 6:21). Jesus’ disciples were completely amazed (Mark 6:51; see also Mark 1:22). When Jesus calmed the first storm (Matthew 8:23-27), the disciples said, “Who is this Man? . . . Even the winds and waves obey Him!” (Matthew 8:27, NLT). But now, the disciples worshiped Jesus and declared, “You really are the Son of God!” (Matthew 14:33, NLT). This miracle revealed Jesus’ divine nature and authority over the natural world.

⁵³ After they (Jesus and His disciples) had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore ⁵⁴ and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once, ⁵⁵ and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard He was. ⁵⁶ Wherever He went — in villages, cities, or the countryside — they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged Him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of His robe (garment), and all who touched Him were healed. Mark 6:53-56 (NLT)

When Jesus and His disciples crossed to the other side of the lake, they landed at Gennesaret (Mark 6:53; see also Matthew 14:34). When the people recognized Jesus, news about Him rapidly spread amongst the people (Mark 6:54; see also Matthew 14:35). Then, the people began bring Jesus their sick and lame for healing (Mark 6:55; see also Matthew 14:35). Wherever Jesus went — in villages and cities, and out on the farms — people placed their sick and lame in front of Him and begged Jesus to let them at least touch the hem of His garment (Mark 6:56; see also Matthew 14:36). Everyone who touched Jesus was made well and healed (Mark 6:56; see also Matthew 14:36; Mark 2:3-4; Mark 5:28). As our Healer – physically and spiritually, Jesus continues to heal and help everyone who places their hope and faith in Him.

¹ God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. ² So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. ³ Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge. . . . ¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” ¹¹ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalms 46:1-3, 10-11 (NLT)

References

Faithlife Study Bible ((Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2012).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Cabel, Ted. The Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary (Victor Books, 1989).