The Struggle

How long must we struggle alone before we get help?

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” -  Matthew 14:22-33

I never noticed before how long it takes the disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.  

Jesus sends them away in the boat while he dismisses the crowd.  Then he goes up the mountain to pray and evening comes.  The boat was still being battered by the wind, so it had not yet reached the other side.

Then early in the morning, Jesus comes to them.

So, if Jesus dismissed them an hour or so before sunset, and the sun set really late, around 9 or 10 in the evening, and if the early morning was just about midnight, we are talking about three to four hours when the disciples were in the boat working against the wind.

That's a long time not to make it across the Sea of Galilee, which is a little over 8 miles wide.  So, the disciples were frightened, frustrated and exhausted by the time Jesus appeared to them.

They had been battling the wind and waves for hours, alone.  And they had no reason to believe they would get help.

When we are struggling and feel alone, and we cry out for help from God, don't we too get frustrated when it seems to take too long to come, if ever?  

I think the message here is for us to continue to have faith, to believe we will get help or strength or endurance, or whatever it is that will get us through the storm.

We may have to struggle on our own for a while, but it will come.

More to come...