Do Not Pass Me By

When You're Weary from the Storm

Last week, we saw the disciples’ terror amidst the storm. A lot has happened since then. Jesus had sent them out on their own, and they had returned, rejoicing and encouraged in their faith. But now they were grieving the death of John the Baptist.

The scriptures tell us that when Jesus learned of John’s death, He departed to a deserted place. Perhaps to avoid Herod, since His time had not yet come. Perhaps to prepare His disciples for the coming persecution. However, it is just as likely He was giving all of them, Himself included, space to grieve.

But it was not to be. The crowds followed Him, and He performed one of His greatest miracles: The feeding of the five thousand.

Immediately after this, “Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.” (Matt 14:22-23)

Finally, Jesus had the time alone with His Father that He craved!

But what of the disciples? They were once again battling a storm at sea. This time, however, they were alone, weary, and frustrated. Jesus had commanded them to go to the other side of the lake. But “the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew” (John 6:8), the disciples had been rowing for hours without making headway against the wind.

Do you ever feel this way, Beloved? Alone, weary, and frustrated. Striving to be obedient to His commands in your relationships, your home, your work, and your church, but constantly falling short?

Take heart, dear one. Jesus sees you. Even from the mountaintop where He communes with the Father, Jesus is always watching.

“And He saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them:”

He will come to you in your time of need.

Christ Walking On The Waters by Julius Sergius Klever

“and about the fourth watch of the night He cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.” (Mark 6:48)

Sometimes, all we need to be encouraged is to know of His supernatural presence. Jesus allowed the disciples to see Him, but His focus was fixed on the far shore, His next miracle.

His ways are not our ways, and sometimes we fail to discern what God is doing. We misunderstand His comfort. Just like the disciples, we cry out in fear. Jesus is quick to calm our fears. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’” (Matt 14:27)

Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry;
while on others Thou art calling,
do not pass me by.*

It is here in Matthew’s account that the story takes an interesting twist. Peter’s bold faith explodes onto the scene. The disciples have just returned from being sent out to perform all manner of miracles. Why shouldn’t Peter also walk on water?

“And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” (Mat 14:28-29)

Peter’s words, “if it be Thou,” could just as easily be translated, “since it’s You.” Here we see Peter’s great faith in stepping out of the boat, then his lack of faith when he sees the raucous waves. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”(Matt 14:30)

This passage reminds me of Elijah in 1 Kings 18-19. By the power of God, Elijah had defeated four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. In answer to Elijah’s prayer, God had sent rain after a three-year drought. Yet when Elijah learned that King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, had vowed to kill him, Elijah fled, fearing for his life. (1 Kings 19:3)

In both cases, Jesus saves. To Elijah, God sends His angels to comfort and His ravens to feed. To Peter, Christ Himself reaches out to save him.

Beloved, we can make it through any trial by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Yet, even when we fail (take our eyes off Him), Jesus is there to save us.

When we look at the combined passages (Matt 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21), we see two miracles. Jesus walking on water, and then as He got into the boat with them, the winds died, and the boat was miraculously carried to the other side of the lake. (John 6:21)

Jesus is always in control. And He will always lovingly be there to help us fulfill what He has commanded us to do.

Shalom.

*Pass Me Not, hymn by Fanny Crosby (1868)

Photo Credit: Sunset on the Sea of Galilee @jeremiahjrross on unsplash

AI Disclaimer: No part of this blog was written by bots. Every word, typo, grammatical error, and witticism is lovingly and/or accidentally crafted by my own two (very human) hands.