When I saw this picture I did a double-take. It seems like this tightrope walker is actually walking on the lake, but if you look closely...THERE IS A ROPE!!! How many times do we think we see things and then find out someone has tricked us. Television commercials are a great example of this; they make you want to go right out and buy their product and when you see what is really being sold.... junk (with a CAPITOL J). But what if you encountered the real thing; what WOULD YOU DO? Read these two passages from the Gospel of Mark and think about it.
Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let's go over to the other side."
36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him.
37 There arose a great wind storm, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, "Teacher, don't you care that we are dying?"
39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?"
41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"WEB
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let's go over to the other side."
36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him.
37 There arose a great wind storm, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, "Teacher, don't you care that we are dying?"
39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?"
41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"WEB
Mark 6:46-51
46 After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray.
47 When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land.
48 Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them,
49 but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid."
51 He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;WEB
46 After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray.
47 When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land.
48 Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them,
49 but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid."
51 He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;WEB
If I SAW THESE THINGS, I would probably react just like the apostles did. I would be scared and amazed and wonder who this REALLY WAS. I included two passages because at first thought I might think the sea was calmed by accident or coincidence. But Jesus exhibited two examples of power beyond that which is given to men. Two! And in case you are wondering, he could do these things because he was so perfect he COULD WALK ON WATER and also because he had the POWER OVER IT. No tricks, just deity! You might say he was "The real McCoy" and you would be right. The next step for his followers would be genuine faith (having a steadfast belief that leads to reliance) and that is the beginning of discipleship.