A Walk on the Lake

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, Mark 6:48 (TNIV)

Jesus had not gone out on the lake with the Disciples that night.  He chose to spend some time with His Father on the mountain.  But the Disciples were not having a good time.  They were struggling against the elements.  The wind was against them.  Those who have tried to row against the wind will know that it is a near impossible task.  If you let up for just a moment, the wind pushes you back all the precious ground that your hard work has brought you.  But it was their Master´s wish for them to proceed on to their destination so the men struggled on through the dark night.

Just a little before dawn, it says that Jesus saw them straining out there on the waters.  He noticed their predicament and went out to them.  There does not seem to be any distress in the way our Savior reacted to the situation.  He just strolled right out there over the waters.  Jesus was taking a walk where men cannot walk.  Should we be tempted to lower the significance of this impossible feat, then some dark power has gotten a grip upon us.

Jesus did come to us in the flesh.  He was given a body to wear for a time and submitted to the laws of nature to a point.  But the part of Him which belongs to heaven, just plain left Him with attributes and abilities which we cannot fathom.  That part that was so connected to the Father and the Divine, made it a simple task to see into the hearts of those around Him and all sorts of marvelous things.  If Jesus wanted to take a stroll on the lake, then water would hold Him up.

The Disciples had viewed so many things already after having spent time with Jesus, but in these accounts we see them still struggling to comprehend.  They have become for us an excellent example of the state we find ourselves in today.  No matter how many wonderful things we learn about our Lord, or how many incredible things we see Him do, it seems that we still struggle.  We find ourselves in situations where we are straining on the oars and making no headway against the wind.

Then Jesus comes walking along over the waters.  He is not distressed.  He is concerned.  But His concern is not because of the predicament that we find ourselves in.  He would try once again to show us that the sharp wind and the deep waters although real and threatening, are no match for the might and love of God.  Our hearts and our souls are what concern Him.  When He sees us struggling, He wants to help place our hearts where they should rightfully be.

Perhaps things would have gone a little different in the story of the poor Disciples out on the lake, if rather than fight against the darkness and the elements, they had turned to God.  Perhaps we too would find our situations we face to be a different scene entirely too.  What if we were able to see that Jesus has been there all the while watching us?  What if we stopped all our frantic paddling and looked for Him?  Surely once we got our eyes off of ourselves and our predicament, we would find Him there, walking beside us on the lake.

Dear Jesus, help us to realize that the followers of Jesus are us.  Help us to put ourselves into direct contact with You daily.  Let us use what we see in the scriptures, to show us how and where You may assist us.  We struggle here on our oars all throughout this dark night.  Open our eyes and help us to see You there, where no other man can walk.  Let us see You near to us and set the sight of our souls on that blessed scene.

Amen  

Leave a comment

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑