Jesus Knew Their Hearts

The disciples had no idea what was in their hearts, but Jesus did, and he brought them to a place of testing that exposed it all. He told the twelve to get into a boat and cross the sea, knowing full well that a storm would soon envelop them.

Now, these men thought they were trusting followers. After all, they had seen thousands fed with just a handful of fish and a few loaves of bread. As they stepped into the boat, they probably thought they would never doubt Jesus again.

It is one thing to see miracle-working power in your pastor’s life and quite another to experience it for yourself. Now, as the winds began blowing and the waves rose higher, the disciples’ test came. Soon the boat filled with water, and the men started bailing as fast as they could. In just minutes, however, they knew their ship was going to sink.

Listen to what emerged from these men’s hearts in their time of testing: “Lord, don’t you care that we’re all about to die? We’re going down! Help us, Jesus. Are you God or not? Don’t you care about us?"

Jesus’s very own disciples were tempting him! Indeed, they spoke almost the very same words to Jesus that the Israelites had spoken to Moses: “So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’” (Exodus 17:7, NKJV).

Despite the disciples’ fear, Jesus knew what he was doing all along. He could have commanded the winds and waves to cease long before they did. Such power was always present in him. Instead, he allowed his disciples to be tested in a literal life-or-death situation to bring their faith to a place of greater strength.

“Now when evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they willingly received him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” (John 6:16-21).