THE BEACON

When a helicopter crashed on a steep, cold mountainside, the pilots survived but were seriously injured. The frozen afternoon stretched towards an even more freezing night. The situation seemed hopeless—until a rescue helicopter appeared, its searchlights lighting up the darkness. It spotted the wreckage, landed nearby and carried them off to safety.

“How did you know where we were?” an injured man asked. “The homing beacon on your aircraft,” the rescuers told him. “It went off automatically when you went down. All we had to do was follow it.”

The disciples of Jesus also knew the joy and relief of being rescued. They had been struggling as they rowed their boat against wind and waves during a dark night on the Sea of Galilee (MARK 6:45-47). Then Jesus came to them, walking on the water, and calmed the sea (VV.48-51).

We all go through times when everything feels dark and hopeless. We can’t help ourselves, and it seems that no one else can either. Maybe we feel like no one really understands how terrified and exhausted we are. No one, that is, except Jesus.

When we’ve messed up, feel lonely or are spiralling into depression, Jesus knows it. Our cries for help are beacons that bring Him to our side—right when we need Him most.

Thinking it over . . .

How did the disciples react when they first saw Jesus in this story (MARK 6:50)? How did Jesus calm and reassure them (V.50)? What was their fear replaced with (V.51)? How do you react to Jesus’ power and control? How can focusing on His rescuing power change the way you view dark times?