I leaned back and stretched my arms. The sun shone bright in the sky. Beaming rays of warmth danced on my face. The cool, clear waters of the sea glistened. It was a stunning day. A small wind provided just enough breeze to gently fill the sail. James and John sat at the oars, their muscles rippling with each powerful stroke.

“I am so stuffed, I couldn't eat another bite.” Bartholomew interrupted my thoughts. I looked at him as he sat, sprawled out in the bottom of the boat.

“I know what you mean,” Philip replied from the opposite side, sitting in a similar manner. “I haven't eaten so well in a long time.”

“Can you imagine? I saw the kid's lunch. It wasn't very big at all. Just five little loaves of bread, and two tiny fish. And yet Jesus fed it to so many people! How many people do you think were there?” asked Simon, incredulously.

“I'd guess at least 5,000 men...plus their families...so...”Matthew put on that far off expression of his when he was doing figures. “No less than 10,000 people all together.”

“Amazing! And there were even twelve baskets of leftovers!” Simon gaped.

“Hey, James, John,” I called out, “It's mine and Andrew's turn. Can't let you do all the work.” I stood up and walked towards the oars. Andrew, my brother, did likewise.

“Well, since you insist,” laughed James, “I guess we'll have to let you.”

“Thanks for the break.” John called.

We switched places with the sons of Zebedee and started rowing. The breeze picked up a little, making the rowing even easier. The others shuffled around and made room for James and John while they continued talking about the day's events. The sun sanked lower in the sky as evening approached.

A couple hours later, Andrew turned to me, “Is it just me, or have those clouds been there the whole time?”

“I don't remember seeing them there either. But, they look pretty small, so I don't think it will be a problem.”

“If you say so,” said Andrew doubtfully. “I just don't want to get caught in a storm like the one we were in that time before.”

“Me neither. That was scary. But this time, we have a much better boat.” I said, patting the oar. “The other wasn't nearly as good of quality.”

It was a well made vessel in which the twelve of us sat. The wood was solid, the seams practically invisible. The mast was straight and sturdy. The rudder, though small, could turn the entire boat at the slightest touch.

A couple more minutes lapsed in silence. Then John broke it. “Did you notice those clouds off in the distance?”

“Yeah, what about them?” I said, not looking up from my rowing.

“They just look...I don't know...like they've got something up their sleeves.”

“What are you talking about?” This time I looked. A group of clouds had formed on the horizon where just minutes before there had been stars with only a couple light puffy clouds scattered across the sky.

In what seemed like merely seconds, dark clouds came rolling in, annihilating all the stars and blotting out the moon from the sky. Water came tumbling down in torrents. Lightning flashed. Thunder boomed simultaneously with it.

Adrenaline surged through my blood as Andrew and I pulled against the oars. James ran to the mast and started taking down the sails. Thomas leaped to help him in whatever way he could. James took charge of the rudder, desperately working to keep the boat facing the waves that were quickly growing. If a wave the size of these were to hit us broad side, we would go under.

My fingers were stiff and numb from gripping the oar. I pulled with all my strength. I glanced behind me at Andrew, also straining himself at the oars. The able seaman had a look of fear about him that I was sure mirrored my own face.

The boat, our own safeguard against the sea, was being tossed mercilessly upon it. It took every man's strength to keep it pointed in the right direction. And even then, would it be enough? The waves mounted up before us and crashed down upon us with seeming pleasure, enjoying our misfortune. The storm continued raging throughout the night.

Then, directly before my eyes, was the largest wave yet. It came toward us, towering over our heads. With a loud crash, it surged over the bow of the boat. I struggled to keep both the boat from turning and myself from being thrown overboard.

As I wiped the water from my face with my soaking wet hand, I heard Thomas and Judas scream. “GHOST!!!!!!!!” they yelled. Every one's head turned to see where they pointed. There in the midst of the sea, was....something. I became as terrified as the others. I had never seen them before, but I had heard plenty of stories from other fishermen about the water spirits who came upon sailors during the night and wreaked havoc on their boats.

If only Jesus were here. He would know what to do. Why did he have to send us out here? Why couldn't we have stayed with him and then left together? Then he would be here with us and save us...just like before. Another wave swept into the boat. Lightning flashed in the sky.

Dawn would be coming in just a couple hours. If only it would come sooner. The specter loomed closer and closer, it's hair swirling around it's shoulders in the wind. It called out and said, “Be of good cheer; it is I.”

I gasped. It wasn't a ghost! It was Jesus! He was walking on the top of the water! Caring no longer for my own safety, I jumped from my seat at the oars and ran to the side of the boat. I cried out, “Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

He answered back, “Come.”

As I dove out of the boat, I heard the others scream behind me as though I were mad. Rain pelted my body from the sky as I flew through the air towards the water. But instead of feeling the raging waters enclose about me, I crashed onto the surface of the sea, buoyed up by an invisible force.

I raised myself to my feet. I was standing on the water! I looked to where Jesus was. He too, was standing on the water, watching. He had a glowing sort of pride about Him, just as I had experienced when I watched my son take his first steps. I, like my son, took a step and started to walk toward Jesus. The waves were all around me. Exhilaration filled me as they lifted me into the air. No matter how hard I stepped, my foot did not penetrate the water.

The wind swirled around me, pushing, pulling. I heard Andrew scream. I turned and looked back at the boat I'd just left. It had turned and was now facing a huge wave broadside. Fear surged through my body. If the boat capsizes, all will be lost! The next instant, my feet, like two anchors were dragging me through the water towards the bottom of the sea. I flailed my arms about struggling to stay above the surface. I cried out, “Lord, save me!”

In an instant, Jesus was standing beside me. Bending down, Like a father picking up his son who had just fell, He grasped my hand and held me above the waves., He said, love and compassion filling his voice, “O you of little faith. Why did you doubt?” He calmly took me and brought me back to the boat.

Thaddaeus and James grabbed my arms and pulled me into the boat. Jesus climbed in as well. In an instant, the storm ceased. Where there had once been raging waves, winds, thunder, lightening, and rain, now the clouds were scattered, the wind, calm. The sun was beginning to break over the horizon, promising yet another beautiful day.

We stood in amazement at the transformation. Looking as though we had never before seen a sunrise. What had just happened?

Simultaneously, we turned and looked at Jesus. We fell to our knees and worshiped Him. Beside me, I heard Matthew say, voicing the thought of my own heart, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”