Jesus: Walk on By

There is a great story in the Bible, recorded in three of the four Gospels (presumably because Dr. Luke was busy attending to the scared disciples), revealing that Jesus can walk on water. What a miraculous and awesome thing to do!

But if we know anything about Jesus, this isn’t all that amazing. Why? Because for those who knew Him, like His disciples, they already knew how great He was (and would be). He was always amazing. Except when we take our eyes off Him.

In Matthew and John, the walking on the water happens, and He’s like, “Hey, it’s me. Don’t be scared.” And then, while He didn’t say this, He probably wanted to say, “You guys, who else would be walking on the water? Of course, it’s me. You know I do miracles. That’s my middle name.”

What gets me is Mark’s account of it. In the story, he says that the storm arose in the middle of the night, and they were straining to keep the boat afloat (and here’s where it’s crazier), and Mark says, “and Jesus was about to pass them by.”

Wait, what? Was Mark having an insecure moment? Or was it deeper than that? Was he projecting an orphan mentality? Because the other disciples didn’t see it that way and didn’t record it that way. But man, do I relate to Mark! I’m so glad he wrote that in. I often feel like Jesus is just going to “pass me by” amidst my current storm, and I’m over here thinking, Hello, don’t you see me floundering over here, God?

This is a great reminder for me that I can’t go by feelings or what I see.

It may feel like we’re abandoned by the one who loves us most, but in fact, we aren’t. He’s right there with us, climbing right into the boat with us during the storm, and willing and able to make that storm subside when He says it’s time.

Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed (Mark 6: 47-51, NIV).

Finch Food for Thought: Change your perspective, and see that Jesus is already in the boat with you, not about to “pass you by.”