Then they were willing to take him into the boat

For the full context of this post read John 6: 1- 24.

I recently read a “Bible story” which I have heard countless times over the years. Most likely you are aware of the story as well. It is the story in which Jesus walks on water and calms the storm. As I read the passage of Scripture one phrase popped off from the pages, “Then they were willing to take him into the boat.”

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[b] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading (John 6:16-21, NIV).

How many of life’s storms have I weathered without being willing to take Jesus into the boat? John states that the disciples saw Jesus approaching the boat. I don’t know if they knew it was him or not. John uses Jesus’s name which implies to me that the disciples did know it was him. Matthew and Mark also record the event and both write that the disciples thought that Jesus was a ghost. It’s hard to see in a storm. Things can be very unclear and it is possible that the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Our minds play tricks on us during storms. I imagine that ghost sightings weren’t an everyday occurrence. Maybe the disciples did know it was Jesus but their fears tricked them into believing he was a ghost. Has your vision ever become so blurred by the storms of life that you could not clearly see God? Have the storms of life ever tricked your mind into seeing the worst case scenario rather than seeing God?

During a storm the only thing more comforting than the voice of a loved one is the voice of God himself. When the disciples heard Jesus’s voice they were willing to take him into the boat. Have the storms of life ever raged so loudly that you couldn’t hear above them? Have you bent your ear and listened to the wrong voices during a storm? Have you listened for the voice of God?

Storms are tough! They blur our vision, play tricks with our minds, and rage loudly around us. In the midst of the storm the disciples were willing to take Jesus into the boat, and he made all the difference. In my storms, I’m going to be on the lookout for our water walking God. I’m going to listen for his voice. I’m going to take him into the boat with me!

For additional context on this post read Matthew 14: 22-33 and Mark 6:45 - 51.