Day 3 (The Twelve Days of Christmas)

Matthew 14:25

“Around three o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.” – Matthew 14:25

The number three is considered a very important number in the Bible and is believed to represent a sense of “completeness.”

Jesus rose on the third day.

The Holy Trinity is made up of three parts.

And Jesus’ ministry took place over the course of three years.

This article says that in one translation of the Bible the number three is recorded 485 times.

But while not every reference to the number three is joyful, this sense of completeness is apparent. It ties things together, showing God’s presence in both the despairing moments and the hopeful ones.

In Matthew 14, when the disciples are out fishing, they encounter heavy winds. But at around three o’clock in the morning, Jesus comes toward them, walking on water.

“Don’t be afraid.” He says, “Take courage. I am here!”

Later, we see that at around three o’clock in the afternoon on crucifixion day, Jesus cries out to God with the opening words of Psalm 22.

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

While seemingly bleak, hopeless even, scholars believe the cry is meant to lead believers to the end of the Psalm, which says:

“Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.” Psalm 22:30-31

When we encounter choppy waters, storms that threaten to swallow us whole, it is easy to feel like God has abandoned us, or that trusting him enough to walk through the storm is impossible. But Jesus shows that even in the most painful place, God is with us—I am here!—and that His plans for good will always prevail.

Whether it’s three in the morning, three in the afternoon, or anywhere in between, God is with you. He is the master of completeness and will tie up every end that looks loose. He will walk with you through any storm, and at times call you out into the water to walk—to believe. So take his hand, keep your eyes up, the storm is no match for God.