The Workday Commute

The Messiah's ministry rose to extraordinary popularity very quickly. Great multitudes rightfully wanted to learn from Him. But back in that time, that could only be done "live" - endlessly. The result was that Jesus of Nazareth (Who was as human as any other) was often worked to the point of exhaustion - so much so that those closest to Him feared for His health (in the context of which it was spoken, the "He is beside himself" obviously refers to His physical health from not even having time to eat).

"^3:20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

^3:21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself." (Mark 3:20-21 KJV)

"He gave commandment to depart unto the other side"

While in Galilee, the Messiah's way of ending a work day was to cross the Sea of Galilee in one of the apostle's readily-available fishing boats (perhaps another reason that fishermen were chosen as apostles). He frequently did it after the day's lesson to a crowd was completed.

"^8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side." (Matthew 8:18 KJV)

Notice carefully that He had worked so hard that day that He fell asleep right in the hard-floor fishing boat - and kept sleeping even when a sudden storm hit (keep in mind that He often awoke long before sunrise to pray, and then walked with and taught very large crowds all day).

"^8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. ^8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. ^8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

^8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

^8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" (Matthew 8:23-27 KJV)

Another of the Christ's most famous miracles happened in just such a crossing at the end of a teaching - the walking on water after He told the apostles to start the crossing without Him.

"^14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. ^14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. ^14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

^14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. ^14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

^14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

^14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

^14:29 And he said, Come.

And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. ^14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

^14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

^14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. ^14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." (Matthew 14:22-33 KJV)

Fact Finder: What prophet experienced a storm on a ship - the record of which was used as the only proof that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah?
See The Jonah Prophecies