Jesus taught his 12 disciples many things that would prepare them to carry on the ministry of the gospel after Jesus departed. In this passage, Jesus commands all events to occur from sending his 12 disciples in the boat to go across the Sea of Galilee to sending away the great crowd of 5,000 and more, to the high winds and waves that the disciples fought. Jesus does this to show HIS 12 to depend upon HIM in all circumstances. The broken condition of the world, God's creation, the struggle that these 12 fought headstrong, is the result of human sin and rebellion. The winds and waves distracted the 12 disciples from Jesus who is always nearby. Jesus Christ is always visible if our eyes are willing to see Him. His voice is always audible if we are willing to listen. The first distraction that will blind us and deafen us to HIS presence and to his voice. Jesus teaches us to look for him, to hear from him. When we cannot see our LORD, he can see us.