The

Bible shows us that Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf. Romans

8:34 says that Jesus “is at the right hand of God and is also

interceding for us.” In 1 John 2:1 we read that Jesus is our

“advocate with the Father,” and from Hebrews 7:25 we learn that

Jesus “­always lives to intercede” for us.

What

this intercession looks like is depicted in our reading for today. At

first, this passage may raise some questions in our minds. Why would

Jesus send his disciples out on the lake to struggle against a

prevailing wind? And why, after leaving them alone for the night,

would he go out to walk on the water just before dawn?

When

we are in a struggle of some kind, even if it’s just an annoying

wind, we tend to ask God, “Why?”

There

are no easy answers to our questions about struggles, but the image

of Jesus praying while his disciples are struggling should encourage

us. It assures us that even though we may feel alone, God has not

abandoned us. Jesus came to this world to share our trouble and to

defeat the powers that are too strong for us to conquer. He still

walks on the churning waters of life that can frighten us so! He has

come to be with us in power and with love. In heaven, ruling over all

things today, Jesus sees us. Through his Spirit he is with us, and he

is praying for us.