When Jesus says get in the boat, do it

This week’s Gospel lesson is one you have probably heard over and over again. It is the story of Jesus walking on water.

The disciples are in a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, and they run into a storm. But Jesus isn’t with them. Soon enough, they see a figure walking to the boat. Is it a ghost? No, it’s Jesus walking on the sea to come to them. Is the story ringing a bell now?

We can’t forget Peter in this story either. He tells Jesus he needs to see the proof and gets out of the boat.

He walks on water until he gets scared and overwhelmed. Remember what happens? That’s right, he starts to sink until he cries out and Jesus reaches out his hand to save him.

It’s a great story of a miracle of Jesus. We remain awed by the description of Jesus not only walking on water, but also saving his friend from drowning. But what do we miss with this story? The big thing we miss is why the disciples are even in a boat on the water. The short answer: Jesus sent them.

If we read the passages before this, we find Jesus feeding the 5000. A miracle in itself. The disciples have gathered the leftovers, and Jesus tells them to get in the boat while he goes to pray. He would have known that a storm was coming, yet he sent them anyway. But why?

Instead of letting the disciples sit and bask in the glory of the great times, or going with them in the boat so they would be reliant on him to save them, Jesus sends them on their own straight into the storm. How many times has this happened to you?

All too often we ask ‘Why is this happening to me?’ What have we done to anger God? The answer is we haven’t done anything. God isn’t angry at us, but instead may be using a time to remind us that our faith is still strong even when times are not going our way. We don’t get abandoned when the going gets tough. Sometimes we just get nudged to stand on our own two feet and work through it.

We can’t be quick to walk away from our faith when struggles appear. Instead of asking why something would happen to you, ask for the courage to work and keep fighting for what’s right. Ask for the strength and perseverance to handle the worst of storms.

We don’t always get to live in the good times. You can’t have mountains without valleys. There will be things in life that don’t go your way, so help yourself to work through things. Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t give up on your faith.

Don’t give up on God. And most importantly, when Jesus tells you to get in the boat, you get in the boat!
Blessing to you as you navigate the waters this week.