Matt.14:23 – After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
This had been quite a day; teaching, healing the sick, multiplying fish’s and bread; now it was time for prayer and a good night’s rest. That wasn’t going to happen, this long day had just been stretched into an even longer day. An unexpected storm was about to take the disciples to the bottom of the sea, sleep would have to come later.
Sometimes we forget about the humanity of Jesus because of the swirl of miracles all around Him. Grieving for His cousin John, prayer and rest after a long day; all of that would have to wait, there was still walking on water and rescuing sinking apostles yet to do today. Here is how Charles Spurgeon describes this night.
“Now that the crowd is gone, he can take his rest, and he finds it in prayer. He went up into a mountain apart in a place where he might speak aloud, and not be overheard or disturbed, he communed with the Father alone. This was his refreshment and his delight. He continued therein till the thickest shades of night had gathered, and the day was gone. “Alone”, yet not alone, he drank in new strength as he communed with his Father. While Jesus was alone, they, in the ship, were in the same condition, but not occupied with the same spiritual exercise.…They “were far from land, for they were “in the midst of the sea”, equally distant from either shore. The sea was furious, and their ship was “tossed with waves.” The hurricane was terrible. “The wind was contrary”, and would not let them go to any place which they sought. It was a whirlwind, and they were whirled about by it, but could not use it for reaching either shore. How much did their case resemble ours when we are in sore distress! We are tossed about, and can do nothing; the blast is too furious for us to bear up against it, or even to live while driven before it.”
Maybe you have been overcome by a storm and from your perspective Jesus must be asleep. If He is not asleep then He must be distracted or busy with all of the other things going on in the world. That’s what is so special about this story and Matthew’s account. Jesus interrupted his rest to rescue His disciples and even drag Peter out of the sea. He won’t leave you sinking down from the storms of life, He will drop everything to come and be with you.
