The disciples must have been beyond exhaustion. After helping Jesus feed thousands with a miraculous picnic on the shores of Galilee, they set out in their fishing boat to cross the sea. They had been battling this storm for over nine hours. What had become of Jesus ? He’d insisted that they start across the lake without him while he went back up the mountain to talk to his Father. Did he even know where they were, they wondered. Did he care?
Then, sometime after midnight, to make matters even worse, they saw a spirit approaching their boat, walking on the water. “It’s a ghost!” They were terrorized.
“Don’t be scared! It is I!” Jesus calls himself by Yahweh’s name, “I AM”. He is Lord, even over this storm. And Peter gets it. “OK Lord,” he responds. If it is really you, let me walk with you on the water.”
Jesus’ reply? One word. “Come”. On that one little word, Peter’s faith took hold and he walked above the waves. Then he looked down. “I can’t possibly be doing this!” But Jesus caught him and held him. Together, they stepped into the boat. “Why did you doubt?”
That little fishing boat became an altar of worship in the darkness, as the storm responded to the One who created all things, water, wind and sky. “Truly You are the Son of God”.
Have you ever wakened in the darkness “sometime after midnight” and felt overwhelmed? I have. Fears lurk in every corner, ready to pounce. Doubts pierce through our thoughts, sharp arrows shattering our peace, sending us into the Land of “What If?” Then we speak His precious name, the Name of the Lord of the Universe, and He is literally “God with us”.
“Don’t be scared. Come,” He says. “Walk on those fears with Me”. And we find ourselves on top of the waves. Peace, be Still.