One of the evangelists recording this story uses a very interesting word. He said, "He compelled them to get in the boat." That's a very significant word. "He compelled them to get in the boat." You don't usually compel people to get in a boat, particularly professional fishermen, particularly men who have grown up around Galilee and had spent all their lives getting in and out of boats. Why in the world did He have to compel them to get in a boat when it's second nature to them? I think we need to use a little sanctified common sense here. Why is it necessary to compel these people to get into the boat, when they are used to getting in and out of boats every day of their lives? The answer, presumably, is because they thought it was not a good idea.

Let me suggest to you in light of what subsequently happened that Peter and the rest know the area, who understand the volatile climate conditions in Galilee, sensed that the Mother of all storms was about to come. The last place they want to be in a major storm is in that boat out on Galilee in the middle of the night. So it is necessary for Jesus to compel them to get in the boat. Let me put it to you this way. Jesus says, "All right, men, now it's time to go home; jump in the boat, and off you go!" Peter says, "I don't think that's a very good idea, Master!" And Jesus says, "I don't recollect asking you for your opinion, Peter."

And Peter says, "with respect, Master, that is quite true. You did not ask for my opinion, but my opinion is of great value at this particular point, and I repeat, I do not think it's a very good idea that we should get in that boat!" And Jesus said, "Nevertheless, get in the boat!"

And Peter says, "Master, I want you to understand something, when it comes to miracles, You are in a class of your own! When it comes to teaching, You're absolutely unique! When it comes to fixing plows, building furniture, running a carpentry business, you are very, very good. But when it comes to fishing, and it comes to boats, and it comes to reading the weather, with all due respect, Master, you don't know diddly. So it would not be a good idea for us to get in that boat." Whereupon, Jesus says to them, "Get in that boat!"

My intent here is to impress upon you what it means that Jesus compelled them to get in the boat. They didn't want to go. There's a little lesson here, and it is simply this: That once in a while Jesus, who is Lord of Heaven and Earth, and therefore, holds in His hands ultimate authority, sometimes He tells people to do what they don't want to do. Now that is a novel idea to some people because they've got the idea that Jesus actually comes along just to encourage them in everything that they've already decided that they are going to do. If He is not going to encourage them, at least, He will turn a blind eye to it, and forgive them anyway. That is a very odd view of the Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus is the one in whom ultimate authority resides, and sometimes He puts His foot in His voice, and He says, "DO THIS!" And if we have the audacity to ask, "Why?" He will simply say, "Because I SAID SO! NOW DO IT!"