Jesus’ Miracles and Mercy

It is late at night, around 3:00 a.m. Imagine we’re on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has sent us off in our boat while he climbs one of the nearby hills to pray. 

Suddenly, a catastrophic storm attacks us. We are “buffeted” by the waves (v. 24), a Greek word that means to be “tortured.” And our boat is very small. Archaeologists recently discovered one like it, measuring 27 feet by 7 1/2 feet, with sides just over an inch thick. 

It’s no help in a storm. Water is stinging our faces and drenching our clothes. The wind is howling in our ears. We are fighting for our lives.

And Jesus sees our crisis. He walks on the water three or four miles. It is a sailor’s superstition that just before we drown, we’ll see the ghosts of others who have died in our spot on the lake. So some of us think he’s a ghost, and we’re even more sure we’re doome

But then Jesus cries out over the storm, “Take courage! It is I”–literally “I Am,” God’s own name for himself. 

And Peter takes him at his word: “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water” (v. 28). Jesus calls and, to our astonishment, Peter goes. He’s actually walking on the waves until he sees them. Then, taking his eyes from the Lord in fear, he begins to drown.

So he cries the shortest prayer in the Bible, “Lord, save me!

And Jesus does. 

And we all worship him: “Truly, you are the Son of God” (v. 33). 

Even when Peter loses faith, Jesus responds to his simple, half-crazed prayer by reaching out and rescuing him. 

Call out to Jesus, the miracle worker, to save you!

It’s an amazing story. Jesus healed throughout his ministry, doing so probably for hours and hours at a time as he dealt with the crowds. In his miracles, we consistently see his overflowing compassion. Just before this, he’d fed hungry thousands and healed their sick because of his compassion (Matthew 14:14).

Reflect on how Jesus has been merciful to you (Eph. 2:4). 

Take a moment to pray and thank him for it. 

Are you willing to get out of your boat of security and safety and trust his miraculous power with your life? 

Knowing he can save, how can you risk more for Jesus in your life?