How many times have you struggled with technology problems? When we can’t fix a device ourselves, we call the “tech support” number and let the experts tell us what to do. Many times the “expert” will say, “Turn the computer off and then turn it back on.” Presto! What didn’t we think of that in the first place?
Sometimes the simplest solution is the one we think of last.
Today we read another episode of the disciples in a boat (Matthew 14:22-36). It seems that every time they went for a boat ride a fierce storm arose.
Jesus told the disciples to get into the boat and head to the other side of sea. He went up on the mountain to pray.
“Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.”
Wouldn’t it be fun to listen in on the “boat” conversation? “Why didn’t Jesus wait till morning for us to do this; he know that the waves get unruly at night?” “How come, Peter, every time we take a ride with you, the storms come?” “Why did we decide to follow Jesus in the first place?” And so they struggled and worried.
“During the fourth watch of the night, (Jesus) came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.”
Assuming they had left shore in the early evening, they had been on the turbulent lake for over nine hours—the fourth watch was between 3 AM and 6 AM. Why in the world didn’t Jesus come sooner and spare them all this anxiety? Why did he let them struggle for so long? And, to make things worse, he sneaked up on them, like a ghost. The disciples snapped! They were already distressed with fighting the wind and the waves, and now they had to deal with a ghost! And so they started to scream in fear.
“At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’”
The “ghost” was Jesus. When he showed up, their courage was renewed, and they began to settle down. All of them, except for Peter. He wanted “proof” that it was Jesus and so requested the favor of being able to walk out on the water to meet Jesus.
“But when (Peter) saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
When Peter focused on the wind instead of Jesus, fear again overtook him. He doubted.
Alone in the boat, the disciples lost their peace. When Jesus showed up, however, things began to settle down. And when doubt begin to get the best of Peter, he instinctively called out to Jesus.
“After they got into the boat the wind died down.”
Jesus in the boat brought a sudden peace.
Why is it that, in the storms of life, we turn to Jesus as a last resort? Why don’t we think to turn off our computers and reboot them in the first place? Isn’t Jesus the one we’ve needed all along? Our struggles and fears are reminders for us to seek out Jesus.
He continues to assure us that he is always with us. Why do we doubt?
“You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49).
