Mark 6:45-52  This scenario is really marvelous and fascinating.. and amazing.  Jesus had just fed a huge crowd of people from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.. and then He sent His disciples away.  He alone faced the crowd of people and sent them away... and they went. 

Alone, Jesus climbed a mountain to pray.  

From the "evening" until early in the morning.. "the fourth watch".. the disciples struggled with the wind in the middle of the sea. Their boat was going nowhere.. but.. Jesus saw them.  "He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them." That opens a lot of questions for me!  Why did He intend to pass them by? Why did He not speak to the wind and waves as He had before? Why did they not have enough faith to ask for help their own selves?  Was Jesus waiting for them to pray?  Was this a test of their faith?

"But  when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw Him and were frightened."   They weren't looking for Him... they didn't recognize Him.. and they didn't trust Him to be there for them.. ..  verse 52 says, "for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened."  

It took the Lord's voice to calm them.. " Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid."  It only took His Presence in the boat for the wind to stop.  

Matthew tells us more.. that Peter asked Jesus to call him to walk on the water.. and He did. But, Peter's faith was not enough yet.. the wind and waves frightened him and he began to sink. Yet, when he cried out to Jesus, he was immediately rescued. 

Jesus told His disciples to "take courage".  We need to heed this command too..  When we are in the middle of storms and trials.. we need to remember this picture.. Jesus is walking alongside us.. His Word will calm us and His Presence can give us courage to face our fears. What we need to do is recognize Him.. trust Him.. and rest in His power over the wind and the waves. 

Father in heaven, help us to remember.. help us to trust.. help us to acknowledge You and not trust in our own understanding... but in all our ways.. even in the storms of life.. . we can KNOW that You are with us and You will direct our paths.  You see us in the storms.. You see us when we are getting nowhere on our own.  Jesus is still praying for us.. He is still walking beside us.. His Word is still able to give us courage so  that we can put aside our fears.  And if we need to walk on the water with Him.. help us to know that He will not let us sink.  Come and fill us with faith and hope and love.. and courage..  for our Savior is altogether wonderful and worthy of all our praise.  We can  put our trust in Him.. Thank You for such a wonderful Savior... . Amen.