you’ve been equipped to cross the storm
a devotional based on Mark 6:45-52 submitted by David Williams
As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the
disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to
Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After
sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray.
Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by
himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the
oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four
o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking
on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they
saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost
and screamed, scared out of their wits. Jesus was quick to
comfort them:
C O U R A G E.
I T’ S M E.
D O N ’ T BE A F R A I D .
As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what
was going on. They didn’t understand what he had done
at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.
The question that comes to mind as I read
this passage is, “Why did Jesus intend to go
past his desperate disciples in the boat?”
When he was on the mountain in prayer, he
saw they were in the midst of the sea and
were in severe trouble as they struggled
against the storm. His men were striving and
straining to stay afloat and maintain the
course he had given them. Is it possible that,
in the midst of dire circumstances and peril,
Jesus would simply walk past and not bring
safety and security into their lives?
When Jesus walked out to them, it was to
walk past them to his intended destination.
He had told the disciples where to go, and he
was going to meet them there. The fact that
they were currently striving to get to their
destination did not deter Jesus; he knew they
could handle the storm and meet him on the
other side. He had already equipped them
(by calling four fishermen into their ranks)
before he ever gave the command to go on
this journey.
Jesus hasn’t come to rescue us from every
storm we wrestle against. These encounters
are a part of the life he imagined for us. He
allows such trials, with no intent to interrupt
them, because he has already equipped us to
handle them without falling apart. Jesus does
not always show up in the way we want him
to. He lets storms rage because he has a
greater purpose than what we can see with
our storm-filled eyes.
If we are in the midst of a terrible storm and
grappling against its waves and Jesus walks
on past, do we still trust him and his plan?
When he doesn't rescue us from every storm,
is he still good? Jesus knows the battle is
necessary so we will appreciate his grace
when he arrives. It is only when we have
reached the end of our strength in the
adversity that we see Jesus and are ready to
yield wholly to his grace. The “not I but
Christ” attitude is birthed from struggle.
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