But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
After the feeding of the multitude the disciples were far from shore in the midst of the storm-dark Sea of Galilee on their crossing to the farther side, tossed by the waves and driven off course because the wind was contrary. A crossing that should have taken only a few hours became a long, tedious struggle through a dark tempestuous night, with strong men bending to their oars until strength was exhausted while the vessel would not obey them and threatened to be engulfed. They were rowing in obedience to Christ's command and straining to reach the appointed place to take Him aboard, yet all their skill and strenuous effort to reach shore by themselves proved fruitless and futile. Though distant on the shore Jesus had not forgotten them but never for a moment lost sight of them, seeing their danger and knowing their thoughts while watching over them with deepest solicitude and compassionate tenderness. Their helplessness became a severe and necessary trial that brought them to despair and longing for His presence until humbled ambition turned to prayer, setting the scene for Him to come to them in their greatest need walking calmly on the boisterous waves and stilling their fear and the tempest with His voice.
Storm-Tossed Night Crossing
The night of tossing comes directly after the feeding of the multitude seated on the grassy plain on a spring evening, the same crossing recorded in Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:14-21. It follows the crowning miracle that confirmed the conviction cherished all day that the long-looked-for Deliverer was present, lifting hopes ever higher that He would turn Judea into an earthly paradise flowing with milk and honey, satisfy every desire, break Roman power, deliver Judah and Jerusalem, heal soldiers wounded in battle, feed whole armies, conquer nations, and give Israel dominion.
The ship is far from shore in the midst of the sea, on the storm-dark Sea of Galilee while crossing to the farther side, tossed by waves and driven off course because the wind was contrary. What was normally a passage of only a few hours became a long, tedious struggle through a dark and tempestuous night, with strong men accustomed to hardship bending to their oars for many hours until strength was exhausted. Their vessels would not obey their will but were driven hither and thither, and the boat was in danger of being engulfed so that they feared perishing.
They were crossing in obedience to Christ's command and straining to reach the appointed place where He had promised to meet them and be taken aboard, yet contrary winds and waves made their rowing and skill to manage the ship fruitless. Their efforts to reach shore through their own efforts proved futile through many hours of rowing against the storm. Their trouble followed their departure from Jesus with dissatisfied, murmuring hearts after their wish to make Him king had been thwarted.
Watched, Tested, Rescued
Though far away on the shore, Jesus had not forgotten the disciples, never for a moment losing sight of them, seeing their danger and knowing their thoughts. He watched over them with deepest solicitude and compassionate tenderness, like a mother watching her child. Their boat carried a precious burden, for they were to be the light of the world.
The violent sea with men struggling against the waves shows how tiny and vulnerable human beings are before the power of nature, while God holds the winds and controls the waters. As the boat careened over the waves it was guarded by angels. Their danger and helplessness became a severe and necessary trial of faith that brought them to despair and to feeling utterly deserted. They regretted leaving Jesus and longed for His presence, believing they would be safe and secure with Him.
When unholy ambition was subdued and quelled and in humility they prayed for help, help was given. The verse sets the scene for Jesus coming to them in their greatest need, walking calmly on the boisterous, white-capped waves. Though strong men, bewildered by the uselessness of their efforts and the apparent hopelessness of their case, they had laid down their oars in despair and given all up for lost, expecting death as tempest and billows threatened to engulf them. His appearance at first increased their terror, for they interpreted it as a sure precursor of immediate death.
But His voice above the roar of the elements, It is I; be not afraid, reassured them and turned the horror of despair into the joy of faith and hope, so that with the beloved Master present they felt no more anxiety nor dread of death. The tempest was hushed by His word and the boat was suddenly stilled and safely landed. The setting exposes Peter's impulsive mixture of faith and unbelief: though told not to be afraid, he focused on the boisterous wind and waves, forgot his Lord's power, and began to sink in peril when attempting to come to Jesus, but when he cried for help Jesus immediately took hold of him and lifted him from the water.
The experience illustrates that Christ's followers may find their own strength and wisdom insufficient and all human efforts and skill to manage the ship vain, with human strength exhausted and death threatening, so that Jesus is their only hope. When they entrust the work to Him in faith He can accomplish what seemed impossible. That past deliverance in like peril was given to be remembered in later danger.
After the feeding of the multitude the disciples were far from shore in the midst of the storm-dark Sea of Galilee on their crossing to the farther side, tossed by the waves and driven off course because the wind was contrary. A crossing that should have taken only a few hours became a long, tedious struggle through a dark tempestuous night, with strong men bending to their oars until strength was exhausted while the vessel would not obey them and threatened to be engulfed. They were rowing in obedience to Christ's command and straining to reach the appointed place to take Him aboard, yet all their skill and strenuous effort to reach shore by themselves proved fruitless and futile. Though distant on the shore Jesus had not forgotten them but never for a moment lost sight of them, seeing their danger and knowing their thoughts while watching over them with deepest solicitude and compassionate tenderness. Their helplessness became a severe and necessary trial that brought them to despair and longing for His presence until humbled ambition turned to prayer, setting the scene for Him to come to them in their greatest need walking calmly on the boisterous waves and stilling their fear and the tempest with His voice.
Storm-Tossed Night Crossing
The night of tossing comes directly after the feeding of the multitude seated on the grassy plain on a spring evening, the same crossing recorded in Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:14-21. It follows the crowning miracle that confirmed the conviction cherished all day that the long-looked-for Deliverer was present, lifting hopes ever higher that He would turn Judea into an earthly paradise flowing with milk and honey, satisfy every desire, break Roman power, deliver Judah and Jerusalem, heal soldiers wounded in battle, feed whole armies, conquer nations, and give Israel dominion.
The ship is far from shore in the midst of the sea, on the storm-dark Sea of Galilee while crossing to the farther side, tossed by waves and driven off course because the wind was contrary. What was normally a passage of only a few hours became a long, tedious struggle through a dark and tempestuous night, with strong men accustomed to hardship bending to their oars for many hours until strength was exhausted. Their vessels would not obey their will but were driven hither and thither, and the boat was in danger of being engulfed so that they feared perishing.
They were crossing in obedience to Christ's command and straining to reach the appointed place where He had promised to meet them and be taken aboard, yet contrary winds and waves made their rowing and skill to manage the ship fruitless. Their efforts to reach shore through their own efforts proved futile through many hours of rowing against the storm. Their trouble followed their departure from Jesus with dissatisfied, murmuring hearts after their wish to make Him king had been thwarted.
Watched, Tested, Rescued
Though far away on the shore, Jesus had not forgotten the disciples, never for a moment losing sight of them, seeing their danger and knowing their thoughts. He watched over them with deepest solicitude and compassionate tenderness, like a mother watching her child. Their boat carried a precious burden, for they were to be the light of the world.
The violent sea with men struggling against the waves shows how tiny and vulnerable human beings are before the power of nature, while God holds the winds and controls the waters. As the boat careened over the waves it was guarded by angels. Their danger and helplessness became a severe and necessary trial of faith that brought them to despair and to feeling utterly deserted. They regretted leaving Jesus and longed for His presence, believing they would be safe and secure with Him.
When unholy ambition was subdued and quelled and in humility they prayed for help, help was given. The verse sets the scene for Jesus coming to them in their greatest need, walking calmly on the boisterous, white-capped waves. Though strong men, bewildered by the uselessness of their efforts and the apparent hopelessness of their case, they had laid down their oars in despair and given all up for lost, expecting death as tempest and billows threatened to engulf them. His appearance at first increased their terror, for they interpreted it as a sure precursor of immediate death.
But His voice above the roar of the elements, It is I; be not afraid, reassured them and turned the horror of despair into the joy of faith and hope, so that with the beloved Master present they felt no more anxiety nor dread of death. The tempest was hushed by His word and the boat was suddenly stilled and safely landed. The setting exposes Peter's impulsive mixture of faith and unbelief: though told not to be afraid, he focused on the boisterous wind and waves, forgot his Lord's power, and began to sink in peril when attempting to come to Jesus, but when he cried for help Jesus immediately took hold of him and lifted him from the water.
The experience illustrates that Christ's followers may find their own strength and wisdom insufficient and all human efforts and skill to manage the ship vain, with human strength exhausted and death threatening, so that Jesus is their only hope. When they entrust the work to Him in faith He can accomplish what seemed impossible. That past deliverance in like peril was given to be remembered in later danger.