Reaching Through The Storm
- Vashti Graham
- Dec 23, 2025
- 3 min read
Reaching Through The Storm
By: Vashti Graham
Artist Description:
This artwork is based on the story of Jesus walking on water during a huge storm, found in Matthew 14:22–33. After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sent His disciples ahead in a boat while He went up a mountain to pray. During the night, a strong storm hit the Sea of Galilee, and the disciples were stuck fighting heavy winds and big waves. This happened during the fourth watch of the night, which means sometime between 3–6 a.m. (Matthew 14:25). They were exhausted, scared, and convinced they were about to sink.
In the middle of the storm, Jesus came to them, literally walking on the water. The disciples were terrified because they thought He was a ghost. But Jesus called out:
“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(Matthew 14:27) Peter wanted to come to Jesus, so Jesus told him to step out of the boat. For a moment, Peter actually walked on the water too. Peter only started sinking when he looked at the wind and waves instead of Jesus. (Matthew 14:30) The water is wild, the sky is chaotic, and everything looks out of control.
Yet, Jesus is still steady, still reaching, still powerful. The bright colors around His hand show the truth of the story: Even when we’re sinking, Jesus reaches for us.
Scripture References:
Matthew 14:27 “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Matthew 14:28 “Lord, if it’s You… tell me to come to You on the water.”
Matthew 14:30 “But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. ‘Lord, save me!’ he cried.”
Matthew 14:31 “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.”
Matthew 14:33 “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Additional Facts You May Find Interesting:
Jesus comes during the storm, not after. Jesus doesn’t calm the storm first. He walks straight into it. Scripture is clear that the disciples were still battling wind and waves when He appeared (Matthew 14:24–25). God’s presence is not proof the storm is gone. It’s proof you’re not alone in it.
The fourth watch (3–6 a.m.) was the coldest, darkest, and most dangerous part of the night. The fourth watch is important in Scripture not just for timekeeping, but for what it represents spiritually and historically. It’s one of those details the Bible includes on purpose. The disciples had been rowing for hours (all night) with no progress. By the fourth watch, their bodies were exhausted and their morale crushed. Jesus often shows up when human strength is gone. He comes when there’s nothing left to fake.
What is the Fourth Watch?
In Roman timekeeping (used in the Gospels), the night was divided into four watches:
First watch: 6–9 p.m.
Second watch: 9 p.m.–12 a.m.
Third watch: 12–3 a.m.
Fourth watch: 3–6 a.m.
Jesus comes to the disciples in the fourth watch (Matthew 14:25). It’s the darkest part of the night. Just before dawn, light hasn’t arrived yet, but it’s closest. Biblically, this reflects a recurring theme: God often moves right before breakthrough. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Meteorologically, storms intensify before dawn. On large bodies of water like the Sea of Galilee: (1.) cold air settles overnight, (2.) warm air rises from the water and (3.) wind shear increases. Storms often intensify just before sunrise (especially in valleys surrounded by hills like Galilee). So the storm worsening at that hour is geographically accurate.
When Jesus says “It is I” (Greek: ego eimi), He’s using the same language God used in Exodus: “I AM.” Jesus isn’t just saying “It’s me.” He’s declaring divine authority over the chaos.
Peter didn't sink because he stepped out. He sank because he shifted focus. Peter was fine while looking at Jesus. He only began to sink when his attention moved to the wind (Matthew 14:30). Faith doesn’t fail because the storm is strong. It falters when focus moves from Christ to circumstance.
