Jesus Comes: Lessons from the 4th Watch

When the night is darkest, the storm is relentless, and your strength is gone… that’s when Jesus comes

Have you ever felt tired and worn out? You are trying to do the very best that you can do, but nothing seems to be working, your exhausted, broken. You’ve been rowing through your life challenge for what feels like forever. Muscles ache, your hands are raw, and every stroke seems to make less progress than the one before. Meanwhile, the storm of life is unrelenting, the waves pressing down upon you, and the darkness around you feels heavier than the boat you’re in.

You’ve prayed. You’ve cried. You’ve sought relief. You’ve done everything you know to do… yet the storm hasn’t broken. Somewhere deep inside, you wonder… Is God even here? Does He see me? Or am I just rowing alone in the dark?

If you’ve ever felt like that…fighting with all your strength yet feeling like the storm is winning… then you know the weight of the “fourth watch.” It’s that late, desperate hour, when hope is running low and God still seems silent. But the fourth watch is exactly when Jesus Comes.

The Disciples in Their 4th Watch

It had been a long day and Jesus told His disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side of the sea.  Meanwhile, Jesus went up to the mountains to pray. The disciples were obedient, they followed His instructions.  They were following Jesus.  The disciples could reasonably expect blessings for their faithful efforts to follow and obey. Yet, shortly after leaving the shore, a great storm arose.  The storm was pushing right at them. 

This storm wasn’t a passing squall. It was relentless…wind in their faces, waves pounding against the boat, darkness all around. The disciples, many who were experienced fishermen, knew the water, and how to navigate through storms.  Yet this was a storm like no other. 

The disciples all worked hard to row the boat right into the big waves and the storm.  They were in complete darkness, fighting the wind, and the waves.  The scriptures say they rowed most of the night (probably 10+ hours) and they had only gone 3 miles.  The storm showed no signs of letting up.  They were exhausted, tired, wet, and alone. And still… Jesus had not come.

Jesus Saw Them

Jesus Watches - He sees you row and work. Jesus Watches - He is There

Yet, the scriptures say, "[Jesus] saw them" (Mark 6:48).  He was watching them work and toil from a distance.  When they were truly spent, when they had given their all, Jesus Came. He walked up to them, joined them, and the winds calmed.  He said, "Be of good cheer" (vs 50). 

Why did He wait until the 4th watch?  Why didn't He step in earlier?  Why did He let them keep suffering? 

This is the Jesus I Love! 

I believe that Jesus needed the disciples to learn something about themselves.  Jesus needed them to know and grow the confidence in themselves.  Jesus needed them to grow together as disciples, to learn and trust in each other.  They needed to learn by experience to help each other, to work together, to never quit or give up.  The disciples each had to learn something about themselves and each other.  Jesus needed them to know they could do hard things... individually, and as a team.  

I imagine Jesus watching them the whole time, sustaining them in unseen ways, proud of their efforts.  He could see their growth right before His eyes.  I believe He wasn't just watching, but He was praying for them: "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (Luke 22:32). 

I imagine the disciples going from initial frustration, to perhaps being critical/demanding that some disciple may not be pulling their weight, then anger, frustration, "why me" or "what did I do to deserve this" or "where is Jesus when we really need Him?" 

Slowly the pride and self-centered focus gave way to a disciple encouraging another weak disciple, "you can do this," "we will not quit," "keep pulling" and "I believe in you."  They forgot themselves and their problems, they even forgot the storm.  They just focused on each row.  They kept pushing and encouraging.  I believe it got quiet and as they worked, they thought, and they silently prayed.  "Please help ____" "Give ______ strength" "I sure love my family and I'm going to work hard to get back home" "Please Jesus, save us."  

With each encouraging word and each faithful prayer and each weary row, I imagine Jesus proudly looking on, tempering a wave here and there or giving strength to arms and backs… just enough to give support, and then let them keep rowing, as He whispered peace.  I see Jesus admiring the disciples, looking proudly at them learning to work as a team, to put off their own interests, and fight for each other.  He knew their potential and He patiently watched until He knew they had given their all.  It was then He stepped towards them. Jesus Comes!

The 4th Watch

C.S. Lewis said, "God loves us as we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us this way." 

Jesus Proudly Watches. He tempers, a wave here and there or gives strength to our arms and backs

Sometimes Jesus waits until the 4^th watch of our storms, because He loves us too much to leave us unchanged. The storm becomes the training ground for deeper faith, stronger relationships, and a clearer focus on what really matters.

Jesus helps transform us to become more like our Heavenly Parents. Indeed, in the 4th watch, the stormy times in our life, we are closest to Them… because They are closest to us.  We've given our all and now we desperately want relief.

In our "darkness" and "storms" and "fatigue" we call out-not out of duty or habit, but out of most sincere desire.  Our senses become stronger.  We lay aside the feelings of resentment, frustration, criticism, and complaint, and we go to work.  We get rid of the things that are not helping us row so we can focus on rowing. 

Meanwhile, Jesus is close, perhaps in our extremity, He and His angels are closer than They ever have been.  They joyfully watch because They glory in effort.  Russell M. Nelsen said, "Everything to do with becoming more like the Savior is difficult.... The Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards that can't come without it." (April 2020). Ultimately, Jesus Comes.

4 Things You Can Do in the Storm

1. Stay The Course… Even When It’s Hard

   Keep doing what Jesus last asked you to do, even when you can’t see the shore. Stay the course. Obedience positions you for His miracles. When we stay focused on our destination, no matter how stormy the sea gets, we will find ourselves going in the right direction. What is the next little thing I can do to go that direction?

   
   

2. Row and Row Together

   Row, Row, Row. One small row after one small row. Encourage and strengthen those rowing beside you. Shift from “Why me?” to “We’ll get through this together.” Find someone who is struggling and be there for them. Encourage them. Row with them. As a result, you will find more relief and strength than you will give.

   
   

3. Pray with Purpose... Release What’s Weighing You Down

   Move beyond rote prayers. Pray for specific strength; pray for others in the boat; pray for the determination to keep going. Let go of resentment, criticism, and distractions that slow your spiritual stroke. Focus on what moves you forward. Forgive someone. Forgive yourself.

   
   

4. Trust the Watchman and Look for His Whispers

   Remember… Jesus sees you. He may not step in right away because He’s growing something in you, but He’s praying for you, sustaining you, and He will come at the right time. In the storm, in your darkness, take a moment to sit in silence as you keep rowing. Let the silence flow into your heart. What is speaking to your soul? Watch for small mercies… a “tempered wave,” unexpected strength, or a sudden feeling of peace… that remind you He’s nearby.

   
   

Remember....

Jesus didn’t abandon His disciples in the storm… and He won’t abandon you in yours. Keep rowing. He is closer than you think, and when He steps into your boat, you’ll not only see the storm calm, but you’ll also discover the transformation that happened in you while you rowed.

• Have you ever experienced your own "4th Watch? Share a story in the comments.

• If you're in the storm right now, take a moment to write down one way God has shown up for you before... and trust He will do it again.

• Share this with someone who could use the encouragement to know that Jesus Comes. You might be the answer to their prayer.