Mark six records two of the best-known miracles in Scripture. Everyone across Judea was talking about the miracle-working prophet from a little town. As crowds began to gather to watch what Jesus would do next, He fed five thousand people by multiplying just a few fish. Then Jesus walked on water! The feeding of the five thousand is often portrayed as a peaceful picnic scene. That’s not exactly how it went down. Since the disciples were rushed off the scene (6:45), we can infer that this event triggered a bit of a riot. This miracle led to mayhem. Full-bellied followers wanted to touch and talk to Jesus. The line turned into a mob, then chaos ensued.
Exhausted from calming the crowd, Jesus escaped to the wilderness to rest and reset. Before his retreat, He sends the disciples across the sea. After the sun sunk below the horizon and the water transitioned from blue to black, a storm swirled around their tiny vessel. It looked like the disciples were done for. Sure, they were decent fisherman, but this was the kind of storm that turned ships into ruins and sailors into fish food.
Jesus, watching the storm from the shore, came to their aid. He didn’t take a canoe or a jet-ski. Instead, Jesus walked on the sea towards their ship. The disciples saw a figure walking on the water, so they assumed it was the grim reaper. They screamed in terror.
Jesus replied, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (6:50). Suddenly, the storm settled and the waves turned into ripples.
Let’s go back to the start of this story. “Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida,” Mark reports (6:45). Wait, was this a setup? Why would Jesus purposely send them into a storm? He did it to help them understand his personality and power. Jesus allowed the storm to happen to strengthen their faith.
Jesus may allow the storms in your life too. They’re not to sink you; they’re to strengthen you. Sometimes it requires a storm for us to really realize our need for a savior. What does Jesus do for the disciples? Jesus joined them in their storm. He didn’t lecture them from the shore; He joined them in the middle of the mess. The same is true for your storms. He will meet you in the middle of your pain, bad news, struggles, fear, depression, or discouragement.
Your savior is coming to you in the middle of the storm. He’s not just watching you; He’s with you.