Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy, 2012
“That evening Jesus’ followers went down to Lake Galilee. It was dark now, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The followers got into a boat and started across the lake to Capernaum. By now a strong wind was blowing, and the waves on the lake were getting bigger. When they had rowed the boat about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water, coming toward the boat. The followers were afraid, but Jesus said to them, ‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Then they were glad to take him into the boat. At once the boat came to land at the place where they wanted to go.” John 6:16-21
Jesus has gone off to be alone on the mountain. The disciples tire of waiting for Him and decide to go on ahead to Capernaum, knowing He will come later and meet up with them.
In other words, they become impatient, strike out on their own, and figure He will come and find them. I know I would be just like Jesus’ disciples in this Gospel. A lack of patience is at the root of many of our trials and tribulations.
So, it is not too surprising that the disciples find themselves rowing their boat in a strong storm. They become very frightened as the winds increase and the waves grow bigger. They are certainly very glad when they see Jesus walking on the water to come to them. Jesus gets into the boat, and at once they land where they wanted to go.
One of moral of the story is to have patience and wait on Jesus. For me an even bigger moral is that when we go our own way, row our own boat, there is bound to be trouble and the best way to end it is to quickly invite Jesus into the boat! And, I absolutely love the outcome. When we get Jesus into our boat, we immediately land where we are supposed to be going!
If you thought you could do it all on your own, and you left Jesus to go on ahead, expecting Him to come and hunt for you later, then stop rowing the boat right now. Wherever you are, whatever problems or storms surround you, stop, and ask Jesus to get into your boat. He is already searching for you, already coming, and He will walk on water to get to you.
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