After a Miracle

(based on Matthew 14:22-33)

You never know what might happen after a miracle. After the feeding of the five thousand, when the fragments had been gathered, the baskets filled, and the crowds sent home, the disciples got into the boat and set their sails to cross the sea at Jesus’ command, not knowing the storm that was to come their way. In the midst of the strength of the storm, Jesus was nowhere to be seen. Watching the waves, they wondered when He would come. Then they saw a ghostly figure walking toward them across the waves, and they were even more afraid.

The greatest wonder was yet to come.

after a miracle

I used to think I knew what You wanted.
I used to think I could see.
But then came the storm and the wind and the water,
Shattered my feelings of certainty.

When following God’s command lands us in the middle of a storm, it can be easy to question if He really has our best interests at heart. Stranded in the middle of a storm-tossed sea, the disciples must have wondered if their Master knew what was happening to them—and more importantly, if He cared. They had just seen Him feed a crowd of thousands, so His compassion should have been fresh on their minds. But it’s easy to forget God’s faithfulness in the middle of the storm.

miracle in the midst

I wonder if You’ve begun to forget.
I wonder when You will come. 
And now comes the ghost and the voice calling closer.
Bravely I step out to overcome.

When God does show up in the middle of the storm, it often doesn’t look like what we expect. The disciples weren’t expecting Jesus to walk on water to get to them. Yet even though they didn’t recognize the ghostly figure passing by, when He spoke, they knew His voice.

The disciples had seen Jesus calm a storm before (Matthew 8:23-27), so they knew what He was capable of. Yet this time the miracle came in a different way. Rather than immediately calming the storm, Jesus called to Peter and bid him come. As he walked across the waves, Peter was privileged to participate in a miracle in the midst of the storm for as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. But when his focus faltered, fear took over. His faith began to wither, and his feet began to sink.

“Lord, save me!”

As soon as he called, Jesus answered. He met His struggling disciple with mercy. Reaching down and pulling him up, Jesus asked him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).

We don’t know why Peter doubted, but I would like to ponder what he doubted. He didn’t doubt that Jesus would save him once he started to sink. His first instinct was to cry for help. But I think Peter doubted whether Jesus would keep him from sinking in the first place. That would seem reasonable, given that they were in the middle of a storm which Jesus had not stopped, even though He had the authority to do so.

How often are we the same way? When we’re in trouble, we don’t doubt that Jesus will rescue us eventually, but we wonder why He would have led us there to begin with.

The Bible doesn’t tell us what Peter’s answer was, or if he even answered at all, leaving us room to ponder our own response. If Jesus asked you that question, what would be your reply?

after the storm

I’ve witnessed more wonders than I can number.
I’ve witnessed what You can do.
Lord, come wake my heart from its shivering slumber,
Bring me still closer to You.

When Jesus had stilled the storm before, He had commanded the winds and waves to be still. This time, the same miracle happened with much less fanfare. As soon as Jesus and Peter stepped into the boat, the wind stood still. Jesus didn’t have to say a word.

And as soon as Jesus stepped into the boat, they had reached the other side. The one who commanded them to cross over guarded and protected them, bringing them safely to the place He had said. Amazed by this display of Jesus’ quiet power, the only response the disciples had to offer was worship.

If you find yourself in a storm today, I pray you’re reminded that God has not forgotten you. I know it might seem like His greatest work in your life is in the past, but let me encourage you to  keep your eyes open. You never know what will happen after a miracle.