John 6:19

The disciples try their best to row through the storm.  When they have rowed about three or four miles out into the lake, they spot Jesus walking on the sea toward the boat; they are quite frightened by what they see.  John 6:19 EFP

This verse is very interesting.  It points out the fact that the disciples do not simply surrender to the stormy onslaught.  They put up a fight.  The text states they rowed about three or four miles out to sea. Considering the wind and the rain, this was no easy feat.  But there were fishermen in the boat who had weathered storms before.  If they were concerned about their fate they apparently do not let on.  They just keep battling the tempest.

It’s too easy to see the spiritual parallels in this scene.  I can’t number times I have tried to deal with one of my life’s storms on my own.  The old “you got yourself here—now get yourself out” adage resonates in my mind.  I don’t know how much progress or success this motley crew was having out on the lake, but certainly I do not remember any memorable successes trying to maneuver myself out of a self-inflicted dilemma.  I just row myself into deeper and deeper water. The calamity only intensifies.

An interesting point raised by this passage is the disciples not letting on to being afraid of their predicament, yet being frightened when they see Jesus coming at them on the surface of the water.  That scares them!  Not the wind or rain.  Not the lightning or thunder. Not the white-capped waves swallowing them.  But they see Jesus, and what? Unmitigated fright! Things certainly turn topsy-turvy when we wander away from the Master.