The disciples spent a lot of time on the water.  Several of them fished professionally. There were sudden storms and bad fishing days but that was part of the job. It was annoying, but it was life.

Until Jesus.

With Jesus around, with their decision to follow him, to be part of his entourage, they needed to figure out what life meant. On this particular night, Jesus wasn’t with them as they rowed the boat into the wind.

They had spent the past several days wandering the countryside preaching and healing. Without Jesus. He had sent pairs of disciples on short-term missions trip. They had an amazing time.

Then Jesus took them across the lake from everyone to be alone with him, to tell stories, to catch up. And then thousands of people met them and Jesus actually let the crowd stay and, at the end of the day, fixed supper for everyone and sent the disciples back across the lake and dismissed the crowd.

So on this night, as the disciples were rowing into the wind, without Jesus, they had a lot to talk about. Including, eventually, the weather.

“Are we getting anywhere? We’re only halfway there. Can’t you row any faster? Can’t we go back? Why is Thomas hanging over the side?”

And they saw Jesus walking on the water and were terrified. Who wouldn’t be? After all, maybe it wasn’t Jesus. Maybe it was one of those spirits he kept casting out.

And Jesus said, “It’s me. Relax.”

And they were willing to let him into the boat.

That’s how John says it. They were willing.

That is a big challenge for followers. When we are doing what Jesus sent us to do, are we willing to let him interrupt? Or is it more fun being afraid?

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