Are you up against the wind? Is God responsible for the struggle you are straining against? Certainly not, when we are reaping the consequences of our wrongdoing. On the flip side, though, with no blatant transgression involved – God does send us against the wind.
On one occasion Jesus sent His disciples to go before Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (Mark 6:45-52). Halfway across they encounter a formidable headwind. Straining at the oars they were unable to make headway to where they were told to go.
Jesus is omniscient. He knows all things. He knew without a doubt they’d be up against a headwind. Jesus knew they’d be working up a sweat with a wind curtailing their efforts.
As with the disciples on the open water, there’s a purpose in our straining at the oars. St. Paul wrote: “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (5:3-5)”
To mature us as disciples Jesus does allow the curtailing wind. The struggle becomes the tormenting trial to examine our walk of faith in following Him. To sharpen our confession, to sharpen our witness, to sharpen our insight – no follower of Jesus can be esteemed of any wisdom (nor the deeper relationship with Him as Savior) without the velvet vice of pressure and struggle.
And besides, while the disciples were on the water, Jesus was up on a mountain praying. Jesus draws strength from Father God to face the challenges of His call to save the world. The need is great. Opposition had already shown itself.
Jesus prayed for the ones He sent out onto the open water. He also prays for us whom He also sends. Jesus sees us straining at the oars. Jesus knows we’re up against the wind. He not only prays for our deliverance, but that our faith is enriched in all speaking and knowledge to give witness to Him.
“And [then] about the fourth watch of the night [Jesus] came to [the disciples], walking on the sea. (Mark 6:48b)” Jesus is not only omniscient, He is also omnipotent (all-powerful). “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. (Job 9:8)” Jesus, as God, defies gravity and walks on water. Jesus is our righteous God and King who comes to us.
Funny how “[Jesus] meant to pass by them,… (Mark 6:48b)” Why would Jesus choose to walk towards them only to walk away? To show that He leads us to His desired location.
Jesus did walk to His appointed destination. When His feet stepped upon the shore, He would wind His way to Jerusalem and to the cross. It is there that He went up against the greatest headwind for you. Jesus leads the way for you when against the wind. He is your shelter. Jesus, your Savior, pilots you to the everlasting shore of a new heaven and a new earth.
All the while Jesus says to you: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Mark 6:50) Jesus is quite direct. Be courageous. Have no fear. You have the strength to make headway against the headwind.
And besides: “[Jesus] got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. (Mark 6:51)” Jesus not only leads the way; He comes near. He’s smack dab in the middle of your predicament – your storm. Whether the wind ceases or not, all is well with Jesus in your boat. The tormenting trial fades away; blessed with the grace of His ever present consolation.
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus. Amen. •
— By Pastor Neil Stern
Grace Lutheran Church, Edmonton AB