Matthew 14:33

“Truly you are the Son of God.”

Within the space of a few hours the disciples rode a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. They were astounded to see the miracle of the multiplication of the bread and fish that Jesus blessed on the one hand, a high point, and then, within a few hours, the desperate straits of imminent death in the center of a violent lake storm  It is hard for me to imagine what they were thinking, especially Matthew who recorded so carefully this event for us. We have no idea how he felt.

The disciples experienced not only high emotions followed by painful lows, but from comforting belief to disheartening unbelief – from seeing Jesus lovingly breaking the bread to his deliberate absence in a storm.

The disciples realized that they were caught up in something they could scarcely absorb. It is hard for me to relate to their highs and lows, their trust and fears. I suppose they experienced in a microcosm what all of humankind feel about ourselves and about God. No mathematics can begin to explain it all. It was truly over- whelming.

After the storm and with Jesus in the boat once again, their response was the proper one, “You are the Son of God.” That explained it all!  Human reason reached its limits. This is truly the work of God, Jesus’ Father in heaven. No further comments were necessary or fitting!

Within a few hours their view of Jesus was expanded beyond telling. I, too, have passed through the fervor of high emotions to the pits of utter confusion.  Often.  But always seeing a new side of every grace of God, Son and Holy Spirit.

Remember, when it is pitch black in a raging life-threatening storm, that Jesus is full of grace – feeding the hungry without them even asking.  We can only stop and wonder, “What manner of man is this?”  Our one and only meaningful question.

Oswald Chambers advised, “When you are in the valley remember what you saw on the mountaintop” (My memory)