Scripture: Mark 6:45–52, especially verse 51
Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.
Introduction: Hurricane Michael this year killed 17 people. Hurricane Wilma hit Florida in mid-October, 2005, killing twenty-one people. After the storm a meteorologist explained how Wilma had cleaned out the atmosphere. This got me thinking. Could “cleaning out the atmosphere” be part of the reason God allows storms in the first place? What about personal storms? Why does God allow storms to happen in our lives? Could it be to clean out the junk in our lives? The story of Jesus walking on water gives us some guidance on the topic.
1. Jesus Watches Over Us, Even When We Are Unaware. The word “strain” in verse 48 carries the idea of being tormented. Where was Jesus while they were fighting for their lives? He was watching them, fully aware of what was taking place. For reasons unknown you are in the middle of a storm. Jesus seems like He is a million miles away. But in reality, He is standing on the side of a mountain, looking out at you, and looking out for you. But why does Jesus wait so long to help? Why did He allow His disciples to go through so much pain before He intervened?
2. We Have to Reach the End of Our Own Strength Before We Will Allow Jesus to Take Over. Nowhere in the story do you see the disciples praying, or crying out to Jesus for help. They just keep rowing, doing things their own way, wearing themselves out (v. 48). What storm are you in? Are you trying to solve the problem on your own? Quit tormenting yourself. Quit wearing yourself out. Allow Jesus to get in the boat and take the controls.
3. Jesus Waits to Intervene So We Will Recognize Him When He Does Intervene. In the middle of their storm, trying to do things their own way, “… He (Jesus) came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost …” (6:48–49). The phrase, “would have passed them by,” is better translated, “He intended to pass their way.” Jesus was not trying to walk by them without being seen, rather He was walking toward them, but they did not recognize Him; as a result, they were afraid.
4. When We Fail to Recognize Jesus, We Live in Fear. We fear the worst because we fail to recognize who Jesus is, and then, when Jesus does show up, it scares us even more. But notice; in the middle of their storm, in the midst of their fear, Jesus said to His disciples, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (6:50). The disciples did not recognize Jesus, so Jesus told them exactly who He was. The phrase, “It is I,” literally reads, “I am.” Jesus was claiming to be God … and this time the disciples got it! When they finally “got it,” the storm died down.
5. Once You “Get It” (Jesus Is God), Your Storm Becomes Nothing but a Shower. Until you invite Jesus to climb into your boat and take the oars of your life, you will always be at the mercy of the storm. The storms of life may have blown you off course, but right now Jesus is walking toward you. Recognize who He is. Allow Him to come aboard, and the direction you were going in will become the destiny He has for you.
6. Not All the Storms You Face in Life Are Your Own Fault. The only reason the disciples were in a storm was because Jesus made them get into the boat and sent them on their way. The storm was not their fault; but there they were, right in the middle of a hurricane. Jesus used the storm to drive the disciples to Himself.
Conclusion: Sometimes things happen in your life in which you have no control. But in the middle of nature’s fury, Jesus is faithful. You may not be able to control the situation, but you can control your attitude and your reactions. It may not be your fault that you are in the mess you are in, but it will be your faith that gets you out.
Due to an accident with a welding torch, David Snitker was burned over 80 percent of his body. While in the Intensive Care Unit, he heard of the many people who were praying for him, and he felt himself slowly regaining strength, slowly starting to heal. But then a strange thing happened. He began to feel self-conscious about the number of people praying for him, and he began to feel guilty. He knew that his entire church was in prayer. He heard that the children were gathering to pray for him. He found out that friends and well-known community leaders were endeavoring to raise money for his family’s bills.
He said to himself, “Why do I deserve all this love? I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ve done things I’m ashamed of.” And he slipped into a relapse. His temperature climbed and he stopped making progress. Feelings of guilt hindered his own prayer life, and the doctors became concerned about his survival.
Then one night in his haze and fog and pain, a nurse came into his cubicle, and he asked her to read to him from the Bible. She picked up the Bible on the nightstand and turned at random to Psalm 130 (KJV): Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O LORD… If Thou, O LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O LORD, who could stand, but there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. With the LORD there is mercy …
He felt like his soul and his very body was being washed in God’s unfailing love. The nurse closed the Bible, put it on the nightstand, and took his temperature. A surprised look came over her. His temperature had returned to normal, and his physical healing resumed.
This morning you can take a turn for the better. You can have a positive mood swing. You can move from anguish to anthem in your heart, from a sigh to a song because of the privilege of coming to the Lord in prayer and reminding yourself of His unfailing love expressed through Jesus who never, never fails!
Morgan, R. J. (n.d.). Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook (2009 Edition, pp. 330–332). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
