When Jesus Isn't in the Boat

Most of us are familiar with the story of Jesus, asleep in the stern of a storm-tossed boat, waking to the anxious cries of his fear-soaked disciples to calm the storm and still their dismayed souls. With a word from Jesus, the fearful squall subsided leaving the disciples amazed and in awe. ¹ We find comfort in that story, don't we? It tells us that when the storms of life sweep over us, Jesus is with us in the fury.

But what about the times when Jesus isn't "in the boat"?

John, along with Matthew and Mark, tell us of another journey across a stormy lake. ² This time, though, instead of climbing into the boat with them, Jesus compelled his disciples to start the voyage without him. Likely with some pushback, the disciples complied and headed out onto the waters. It wouldn't be an easy journey. After several miles and many hours, the men's laboring had brought them to the middle of the lake - far from their destination.

Unlike the powerful time of preaching and healing they had experienced in an earlier assignment from Jesus, ³ this task likely seemed unsuccessful and inglorious. Obedience isn't always thrill-evoking or rewarding, is it? Our labor in the Lord can, at times, feel like we are making headway painfully at best. But the disciples obeyed and continued to row.

It was not yet evening when the disciples were sent out onto the great lake called the sea of Galilee, and by 6 pm or so they would find themselves in the middle of the sea. They would continue to row for hours more until the fourth watch of the night (between 3 am and 6 am). During that time, they likely were exhausted and discouraged, even dismayed. But between evening and the fourth watch two things were happening and two valuable lessons can be learned here:

• Jesus sees you in your laboring. He sees you "straining at the oars." From heaven's throne, he looks down on you and takes notice. He sees your obedience. This is more than a casual onlooking - it is an engaged locking of the gaze that will move Jesus to action.

• Jesus is interceding for you. He prays for you; he prays for his church. He always lives to intercede for us. It may not feel like he is "in the boat", but he is still with you.

Jesus did show up for his disciples during the fourth watch, miraculously and somewhat anonymously. They thought he was a ghost. But this was the real deal - Jesus was on the scene. Two things happened when Jesus climbed into the boat:

• The wind died down. The very thing the disciples were straining against ended in peace. May it be so with you my friend - at the right time, in God's time, may he bring the peace and calm assurance you are looking for.

• The boat immediately went to shore. This was nothing short of a miracle. Once Jesus showed up things happened, and at miracle speed and zero human effort. He works in us and accomplishes his will, we learn that while we work with all of our heart for him, in the end we must rely completely upon him to accomplish the task he has set us to do.

This story offers hope and encourages faith for the one who is in the middle of the darkest night. You can know this: Jesus will show up and accomplish his will in his way under his timeline. You who labor for the Lord remember: this is his work done in his strength. There are times his people must wait patiently and take courage, never ceasing to pray, continuing to work, laboring in him, enduring through opposition.

And that may be you, my friend, so be encouraged. He is with you in this and sees you.

Scripture References

¹ Mark 4:35-41

² John 6:16-21, Matthew 25:22-23, Mark 6:45-52

³ Mark 6:7-13