"They begged Jesus to let the sick touch even the edge of his
cloak, and all who touched him were healed." Mark 6:56
Sandwiched in between the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, and an incredible visit to Gennesaret in which anyone who as much as touched Jesus' garments was healed, is the story of a nighttime trip the disciples took across the lake. In the midst of miracle after miracle, they found themselves "straining at the oars" as they rowed during a middle of the night storm that came up on the Lake of Gennesaret.
The disciples hardly had time to celebrate the multiplying of the loaves and fishes as "immediately Jesus made them get into a boat". That word "made" makes you wonder if the disciples wanted to stick around and bask in the miracle while Jesus had other plans for them. In obedience, and probably with great reluctancy, they boarded the boat and started rowing toward the other side. And as they went, a storm arose and they found themselves straining, worrying.........
Lesson #1 - Sooner or later all of us are caught in life's storms. They come without warning, buffet our lives like the waves of a storm, bringing disappointment, sorrow, and the strain of waiting for God's answer as we hold on by faith. And let's make one thing clear, these disciples weren't running away from God, or walking in disobedience. On the contrary, they were good men, following the Lord with all their heart, exactly where He told them to be. It would be a serious mistake to interpret every storm as some form of punishment for something we did wrong. We do know, however, that God can use these storms to teach us valuable lessons, increasing our faith and giving us compassion for the sufferings of others.
Lesson #2 - Jesus is always watching us during our storms. Mark 6:48 records "He saw them straining at the oars". Those committed disciples were never beyond the sight of God as they struggled in the midst of the storm. He was watching over them, He knew where they were and He knew what they were going through. What an encouragement to know that the Lord is watching over us as we face the storms and difficulties of life. He knows our circumstances and He knows what it will take to meet our needs. He is truly Jehovah-Jireh, the one who sees (all we are going through) and provides (for our every need and circumstance).
Lesson #3 - Jesus calms the storms of life. The story continues with Jesus coming to them, walking on the water, and climbing into the boat with them. What a picture of Jesus being with us as we face the uncertainties of life's storms, in the boat and ready to calm the waves of fear and anxiety that we are facing. He isn't disconnected from the realities of life we face but there with us, "a very present help in time of need".
And those few words he spoke, a message for each of us, especially those currently out on the lake, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
God Bless,
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church
No comments:
Post a Comment