MARK 6:45-52 – “Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”
THEME OF THE DAY: ENROLLED IN GOD’S NIGHT CLASSES. There was a puritan pastor in the 17th century by the name of Ralph Venning. He penned a book titled Learning in Christ’s School. The title is insightful for it does define the sanctification process every child of God goes through. We could rightly call this process of spiritual growth as being enrolled in God’s school of discipleship. And He has more than one school where He will place all His children. There is the school of suffering to teach us submission. The school of waiting to teach us patience. The times He calls us to class vary. Classes convene during times of trial, times of sorrow, and even times of doubt and fear. All He will use to teach us invaluable lessons to mature us in Christ.
In today’s scripture, we encounter another time God enrolls us in His discipleship classes – night classes. Jesus sends His disciples to sea, and they encounter a storm. Fear gripped them, and then looking out over the choppy waves they saw a Figure walking on the sea. Fear went to terror. Who was it? They said “a ghost” but quickly the Figure reveals Himself with the words “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” These disciples were about to learn the lesson about Jesus’ identity and power. They didn’t understand these truths about Jesus right before they went to sea when He fed the five thousand, but they would now. And when did the Lord come to them? At night. Between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.
God visits His people in the night. Read the Psalms and notice the times God keeps the Psalmist awake for meditation, worship, praise, prayer, and even lamenting. He still causes us to take night classes. Don’t be quick to dismiss those nights of staying awake as not from the Lord. They might be. He might be wanting to teach us something about Himself and what we need to grow in Christ.
Yes, we are enrolled in God’s schools of discipleship. We will graduate someday when we see Jesus. Until then, be alert. He might be enrolling us in night classes!
PRAYER: Lord, when sleepless nights come upon me, help me to see them as teachable times with You.
REFLECTION: In the stillness of night, God often keeps us awake to get our attention in order to teach us something.