In The Fourth Watch

While He dispersed the crowd after the miraculous feeding with five loaves and two fishes, Jesus told his disciples to get into the ship and go over to the other side of the sea. He then went up into the mountains to pray. It was about early evening or close to nightfall. The Sea of Galilee, 13 miles long, 8 miles wide, and 33 miles in circumference, low lying in the rift valley and surrounded by hills, was prone to sudden violent storms. Matthew tells us that while the ship was in the midst of the sea, the disciples experienced one of these violent storms, so much so that the ship was "tossed with waves" (14:23).

It is interesting that Jesus, knowing the ways of the sea as He must have, would have sent them across it at that time of the evening. We can conclude from the text that the storm lasted a long time and they had not made much progress, because when Jesus went unto them, walking on the stormy sea, it was in the fourth watch of the night. The Jewish night is divided into four watches. The fourth or final watch is that time just before dawn, in the darkest hours. If they went out from just before nightfall and was in the storm lasting until just before dawn, why did He wait for long? Can you relate to those disciples? Are you caught in one of life's storms, or a number of them, that seem to have no end in sight?

Despite being the experienced fishermen that they were, I would imagine that by now the men were tired and exhausted. Some of us are too. But somewhere in the dark, they saw a shadow. They thought it was a spirit, and "cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'" (14:26-27, ESV). In the darkest part of the night, in the midst of a violent storm, they heard the reassuring voice of Jesus. Following Peter putting the voice to the test, and the subsequent actions, Matthew concluded the narrative, "And when they [Jesus and Peter] got into the boat, the wind ceased" (v.32).

There are many lessons to be taken from this story, not the least of which is the fact that no matter how dark the night, or the magnitude of our individual storms, Jesus knows exactly where to find us. Not only that, but He can put Himself in the midst of those storms, and amidst the sound of the winds and the roar of the waves, if we listen keenly enough, we too can hear His voice, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

Be encouraged; before the wind ceased, He first comforted their hearts. It just might be that He wants to do the same for you. I trust and pray that your experience will be like that of the songwriter:

"His voice makes the difference,
When He speaks He relieves my troubled mind.
It's the only voice I hear that makes the difference,
And I'll follow one day at a time."

With Him in the vessel, not only is there no need to fear, we can smile at the storm. Are you smiling?