Just after feeding the five thousand, the disciples were instructed by Jesus to cross the lake and wait for Him on the other shore. In the meantime Jesus took this time to pray. After His time in prayer Jesus saw that the disciples were struggling against the wind to get their boat across the lake.
“Later that night, 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. Shortly before dawn 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 all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,”
Mark 6:47-51 NIV
The Bible tells us that Jesus then went out to them; walking on the water. It looks as though He is going to join them, but then the Bible says something we don’t expect. Jesus was going to pass by them; implying He was going to the other shore and meet them there. Imagine the scene – here are the disciples struggling with their oars against the wind. Both mentally and physically they are focused on reaching their goal. Suddenly, out of the corner of their eyes, what they believe to be an apparition appears not far from them, seemingly hovering over the lake.
One minute they are completely focused on getting through the storm when suddenly, the next minute, their focus has been completely thrown off kilter. Nothing made sense. The fear they were holding inside came to the surface. This surely must have amplified the fear they were experiencing as they struggled with the wind. When they saw what they thought was a ghost all that pent up fear was let loose as they cried out in fear.
Often, when we struggle with difficulties, emotions, assignments, plans, and so on, we allow the fears these things cause to build up inside. Many times we don’t even realize just how anxious we have become; until that one event or emotion finally causes us to react in a way that seems to expose those pent up fears all at once.
That is the precise moment that Jesus reveals Himself to us. Just as with the disciples at the very moment they cried out in fear, Jesus will calm our fears with the words, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” But what is more comforting than these words is what Jesus does next. He climbed into the boat with them. When we have struggles, not only does Jesus reassure us with His words, He climbs into our situation. He goes through the struggles with us. When that happens “the wind die[s] down.” Our fears are replaced with the comfort that the presence of Jesus brings.