Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.
Mark 6:47-51a NIV
I know I've read this passage many times, but tonight, it finally sunk in that Jesus intended to pass by them. The Message reads, "He intended to go right by them."
Why would He do that? He saw them fighting the wind that was against them. He saw them straining at the oars. These were seasoned fishermen who knew their way around a boat, plus they were His followers and they were struggling. Why wouldn't He just run to them and save them? But notice, it wasn't until they cried out in fear that He acknowledged them and turned to them.
How often do we do that? We're going about life, doing what we know to do. And there are those times when life gets really hard, and we just keep trying to do life in our own strength... All the while wondering why God doesn't do something. Can't He see what we're up against? Doesn't He see us struggling and straining? Is He really going to ignore our plight?
Let me ask the tough questions - Have we called on Him or are we still trying to do everything in our own strength? Have we acknowledged and confessed our need for Him or are we too busy indicting Him? Are we passing HIM by?
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for thinking that we can do anything apart from You. Thank You for loving us enough to correct us and to turn our hearts. Thank You for Your protection and provision. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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