Peter was a fisherman before he became a disciple of Jesus.  And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were partners with him in the same business.  On one occasion they had been busy all night throwing out and hauling in their nets, but without catching a single fish.  Early the next morning, Jesus was walking along the shore of the lake, near where their boats were.  He knew how tired and discouraged they were, and how much they needed help; and he wished to show them what wonderful power he had to help in time of need.  So he told them to cast their net on the other side of the ship.  They did so; and immediately their nets were full; and they had more fish than they could well manage.  Here we are taught that even in the depths of the sea nothing can be hid from the all-seeing eye of our divine Saviour.  He knows where everything is that his people can need; and he has the power to bring it to them.

And then, by his miracle of walking on the sea Jesus taught the same lesson.  We have an account of this miracle in three places.  Matt, xix:  22-33.  Mark vi:  45-52.  John vi:  14-21.

At the close of a busy day, in which he had been teaching the people and feeding them by miracle, Jesus told his disciples to go on board a vessel and cross over to the other side of the lake.  Then he sent the multitude away, and went up into the mountain to pray to his Father in heaven whom he loved so much.  It proved to be a stormy night.  The wind was dead ahead; and the sea was very rough.  The disciples were having a hard time of it.  Tired of rowing, and making little progress, there was no prospect of their getting to land before morning.  But, dark as the night was, Jesus saw them.  It is true as David says, that—­“The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” Ps. cxxxix:  12.  He saw they needed help and he resolved to give it to them.  But there was no boat at hand for him to go in.  True:  but he needed none.  He could walk on the water as well as on the land.  He steps from the sandy shore to the surface of the storm-tossed sea.  He walks safely over its troubled waters.  The disciples see him.  Supposing it to be a spirit, they are alarmed, and cry out in their fear.  But presently the cheering voice of their Master comes to them, saying:  “It is I. Be not afraid.”  He steps on board.  The wind ceases, and immediately, without another stroke of the oars, the mighty power of Jesus brings them “in safety to the haven where they would be.”  Other miracles might be referred to as teaching the same lesson.  But these are sufficient.  And Jesus has the same power to help now that he had then.

Here are some illustrations of the strange way in which he sometimes helps his people in their times of need.