Finding Peace in the Struggle

After the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him across the Sea of Galilee. It was evening, and He stayed behind to pray (John 6:15-16). The disciples set out in the boat, but soon found themselves battling a strong wind and rough waters (John 6:18). This was no calm trip. They were struggling, making slow progress, and probably wondering why Jesus had sent them off into the storm. But Jesus, though distant in body, was never far from them.

As they fought against the storm, Jesus began walking on the water toward them (John 6:19). This moment was unexpected, startling, and powerful. In that moment, He wasn’t just walking on the sea; He was asserting His authority over it. The sea, in Jewish thought, often represented chaos and danger—something that only God Himself could control. So, when Jesus steps onto the water, He is showing His disciples, and all of us, that He is Lord not just over the calm and peaceful, but also over the storms and chaos of life.

The disciples, seeing Him walking toward them, were terrified. They thought He was a ghost. But then, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “It is I; don’t be afraid” (John 6:20). The Greek for “It is I”, ἐγώ εἰμί (egō eimi) can be translated as “I AM,” which echoes God’s self-revelation in the Old Testament when He told Moses, “I AM who I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus is declaring His divinity in this simple but profound statement. In that storm, He wasn’t just a man walking on water. He was the I AM, the same God who created the sea, the same God who controls all things.

When He got into the boat with them, something remarkable happened. The moment He stepped in, the boat immediately reached the shore where they were heading (John 6:21). They were no longer struggling against the wind. In the blink of an eye, they were where they needed to be. Jesus didn’t just show up; He changed everything in an instant. This moment teaches us that Jesus has control over time and space. When we invite Him into our struggles, He has the power to bring us to the place we need to be, sometimes more swiftly than we can imagine. It's a beautiful picture of God's ability to accomplish in a moment what we might struggle to achieve for days, weeks, or even years.

But there’s more to this story than just the miracle of instant transportation. The disciples had spent hours rowing, battling the wind, and yet when Jesus came, all their struggle ended. They had tried to handle the storm on their own, but when they accepted Jesus' presence in the boat, everything changed. This mirrors so much of our own lives. We often find ourselves struggling through challenges, thinking we can handle them alone, but it’s when we recognize Jesus in the midst of our storm that things shift. He doesn’t always take away the storm, but He brings His peace into it. His presence brings purpose, direction, and often, an unexpected end to our struggles.

In life, we often face our own storms—circumstances that feel overwhelming, beyond our control. Whether it’s a financial difficulty, a relational struggle, a health issue, or emotional turmoil, we can easily find ourselves in situations where we feel helpless and exhausted. But the story of Jesus walking on water is a reminder that He is not distant from us in those moments. Even when we don’t see Him, He is near. He doesn’t always come immediately, but He does come. And when He does, He meets us where we are.

The miracle of the boat immediately reaching the shore is also a sign of God’s perfect timing. When Jesus enters our lives, everything aligns with His purpose. The struggles we face may not always end the way we expect, but in His presence, there is peace and assurance that He will bring us through, often in ways that we can’t predict or comprehend. His ways are not our ways, but they are always for our good.

This moment in the Gospel also teaches us about the nature of faith. Jesus didn’t calm the storm before He walked to the disciples, and He didn’t still the waters as He stepped into the boat. But when He got in, everything changed. Sometimes, faith doesn’t mean the storm disappears. Sometimes, it means trusting that Jesus is with us in the storm and that His presence is enough to bring us peace. We don’t always need the storm to end; we need Jesus in the boat with us.

This passage is also a vivid reminder that Jesus' power isn’t just confined to moments of great awe or dramatic displays. Even in what seems like an ordinary moment—crossing the Sea of Galilee—He reveals His glory. He shows us that nothing is beyond His reach, not even the natural laws that govern the universe. When He comes into our lives, He brings a transformation that goes beyond our understanding.

What does it look like for us to trust Jesus in the midst of our storms? It looks like inviting Him into the struggle, not just hoping the storm will disappear. It means recognizing His presence and His power to bring us through, sometimes faster and more fully than we can imagine. It means believing that, with Him in the boat, we are never alone.

Jesus' walking on water is a powerful reminder that He is not just a helper who gives us a hand when we’re struggling, but He is the Savior who commands the winds and waves. He isn’t just concerned with our temporary struggles; He’s concerned with our eternal well-being. His ultimate purpose is to bring us safely to the shore of His Kingdom, where storms no longer rage, and His peace reigns forever.

As you reflect on this passage, think about your own struggles. What are the "storms" you’re facing right now? Where do you need to invite Jesus into your boat? He’s not just a bystander. He’s the I AM, the One who has power over all things, and He’s ready to meet you in the midst of your storm and bring you to the place of peace and fulfillment that only He can provide.

 

 amch 2025