Mark 6:45-50 "Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, 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. About the fourth watch of the night 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 were terrified."
Matthew 14:23-25 "When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified."
John 6:17-19 "By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three or three and a half miles they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified."
Three accounts of Jesus walking on water. Can you imagine being in the boat? You are tired, it is the middle of the night, you have just finished witnessing Jesus feed the five thousand, and now you are stuck in a boat during a storm. The last thing in the world you expect is for Jesus to come walking up to the boat - you are on a lake, NO ONE would expect that.
How did they respond? They were terrified. These are the same men that have been with Jesus for a while, they have seen miracles - healing, raising of the dead..., but they were all afraid. They allowed their fear to overrun their faith.
The first part of this story just reinforces that God acts according to His timing, His will, and His plan. Realistically Jesus could have just walked out on the water at anytime, but He chose when his disciples were at their worst, most stressed, and tired selves.
When we are tired or stressed we are more likely to act according to our true nature, maybe we speak a little less polite or we become more selfish, we have all seen it. Though just because it is our "nature" does not excuse us; God wants us available anytime He chooses, otherwise He just might pass by and we miss the chance of a lifetime.
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