Covered

Matthew 14:²² “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.” (NKJV, emphasis added).

The New Living Translation says, “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake…” (emphasis added). Jesus practically chased them to get on the boat and go before Him to the other side. Why the urgency? Evening had come, and that was practically the last boat. They were on the Northeast side of the Sea of Galilee, and they had to cross the Sea of Galilee to the other side, the Southwest of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were going to wait for Jesus because you don’t leave your boss to clean up and pack chairs. But Jesus said to them, “Go, don’t miss the boat, I can find my way.”

It is a big leadership lesson. Jesus told His disciples to go so they wouldn’t miss the boat and get stranded. While He stayed back to shake people’s hands, send them to their homes, and clean up after the whole crew. At least twenty thousand people were fed that day. If there were five thousand men, do the math. It is a big leadership lesson. The second thing is that Jesus was not limited to earthly resources. Even though there were no boats or the boat services had closed, Jesus was not stranded. Even though the “boats” have closed, even though the means of transportation are no longer available, you will not be stranded in the Name of Jesus.

So, Jesus compelled the disciples to go to the other side, and while they were going, there was a storm. While they were worried about the storm, Jesus had finished with all He was doing and decided to take a stroll on the water. Think about it, what if they had all stayed behind and the transportation had closed? Then Jesus says there is a storm in the Sea of Galilee, but I am going to walk across. Maybe only Peter would have followed Him, and the others would have opted to wait for the next available boat in the morning. Jesus allowed them to go, and while they were in the storm, He walked on the storm.

Matthew 14:²⁶ “And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.” (NKJV, emphasis added). Have you seen grown men crying before? Talk about being caught up between two dangers. The storm was raging; even those who could swim could not attempt it. The boat could capsize; they were struggling to keep the boat afloat. Then comes “a ghost”, where do you run to? You may be in a place where it appears that everywhere you turn, there is trouble. God is saying to you, “It is Me, don’t be afraid!” One of the options is actually God, who has come to you. Step back and look again.

Prayer: Father, I ask for the grace to trust You no matter the odds, in Jesus Name. Amen!