When I was 8 years old my dad’s oldest brother died.  I have many memories of the weeks and months leading up to Uncle Ralph’s death, and every one of them includes laughter.  Sure, there were tears and sorrow, but what I remember most was laughter.  Is it odd that a time of such great sorrow is marked most heavily by laughter.

These memories remind me of a Jesus story.  You know the story.  Jesus needs some time alone with His Heavenly Father, so He sends the twelve to the other side of the lake.  Night begins to overtake day as Jesus prays and the disciples row.  From His spot on the mountain Jesus can see them straining at the oars, and He lets them continue to strain, until they have rowed 3.5 miles.

2 observations:

1)   At least 4 of the disciples were fishermen by trade, so the straining at the oars must have been due to more than a slight breeze.

2)   To the ancient Jew, large bodies of water were a place of death and darkness. Those who believed in the spirit world believed that it was in the great depths where the spirits resided. Because of this superstition, the water was a dangerous place to be…especially in the middle of the night.

Eventually, Jesus hiked up his outer garment and began to walk on the water to get to where His disciples were.  It is at the end of verse 48 where Mark’s account really gets good: “He was about to pass them”.  Did you catch that?  Jesus was playing with His disciples!  They have been straining at the oars for the better part of the night, they are in the middle of what they believe to be a liquid haunted house, they now see this strange figure on top of the water, and He is going to stroll by and do what?  Wave at them with a friendly, “Howdy, chaps.  Kinda blistery tonight, eh?”  Just picturing this makes me laugh. Jesus must have a playful side!

Where in your life have you been straining against the oars?  What in your life is carrying the stench of fear and death?  What ghostly things are you seeing that you don’t understand?  Have you tried looking to see where in the midst of your trials Jesus might be trying to make you laugh?  He’s not making light of your temporary troubles and trials, but He may very well be breathing a little joy into your heart and painting a smile on your face to help you bear up under the fatigue you are experiencing.

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