In Mark chapter six, Jesus has just miraculously fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes. He then sends his disciples out into the sea to go to the other side. Verse 45 tells us, “And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.”
He has “constrained,” or, compelled his disciples to get in the ship and go to the other side, where he will come later, after he has finished his prayer time with his Father. As the evening approaches, the ship is in the midst of the sea, and he is alone on the land, but he is watching what’s going on out on the sea. His disciples, the majority being fishermen, are in the ship trying to get to the other side, when suddenly a contrary wind comes up and begins to beat upon the ship, putting the ship and the disciples in danger. They find themselves in the midst of a real battle just to stay afloat. Our text says in verse 48 “And he saw them toiling in rowing.” He sees their difficulty in fighting the wind and the waves.
Notice with me that these disciples are in a storm that Jesus sent them in to. It’s not as though he was unaware that a storm was brewing when he sent them away. This storm was not for any wrong that they had done, they were sent into it by the Lord himself. He knew what was ahead when they obeyed and got into the ship.
These disciples are about to learn even more experientially who he is. They had just learned his power of provision when he fed the five thousand men with a little boy’s lunch. Now he will demonstrate his power over nature. They will need this evidence when he goes away.
One lesson we learn from this story is that just because you are in a storm does not mean that you are out of God’s will. It may be he is about to demonstrate his power over your circumstance and to strengthen your faith. These disciples were trying to do what the Lord had sent them to do; go to the other side, but it turned into a frightening ordeal. The text tells us that they cried out for fear and Jesus came unto them walking on the sea. He was in control of the storm they were afraid of. Verse 51 “And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased.” Look to Jesus in your storm; it may be fearful, but he says, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.”
Finally, I see that Jesus accomplished what he set out to do, reveal himself in a powerful way to these fearful disciples. In Matthew 14:33, the same story, gives the conclusion of this lesson Jesus was teaching his disciples, and that he wants us to learn, “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
He is in complete control of every situation we face in life!