45Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 51Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
When you have had a very full day and are so tired out, make time to get away from it all and pray. That's what Jesus did. After meeting up with this crowd while on their way for a much needed break, and making time to help the crowd, Jesus sent them away and went to a quiet spot to pray. Jesus needed this and we do too.
Sometimes it is hard to imagine how the disciples could not understand who Jesus was. They saw miracle after miracle and yet are still amazed. Here it says they had not understood because their heart was hardened. Why do they have hardened hearts? Are they just not letting themselves open up enough to let the truth in? Or is this something that God is doing, hardening their hearts so they cannot understand?
I remember reading other stories throughout the old and new testament where God hardened someone's heart. Is it maybe that God is preventing them from really understanding because it isn't time yet? Maybe it is too soon in the plan for Jesus' life to start proclaiming Him as the Son of God, as the true Messiah. There is much more to be done to prepare the way for Jesus.
And what is the result of not being able to understand something? Fear, just as the disciples felt fear as they saw Jesus walking on the water. But Jesus does not rebuke them for not understanding, or for showing fear. He understood their inability to understand. He brought comfort and peace. So don't be afraid to go to Jesus with your fears. Don't be frustrated with your inability to understand. Jesus will not belittle you, He will bring you comfort and peace. The truth will be revealed to you when the time is right.
The other curious point I noticed in this passage is when they were so busy rowing and fighting the wind, Jesus walked toward them and would have passed them by. Don't ever get so caught up in your struggles that you simply let Jesus pass you by. He is there and is willing to help you. But you have to look up from your struggles every once in awhile.