Sailing Lessons

Jesus had just finished feeding 5,000 people with a loaf of bread and two fish. (Matt 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-43, Luke 9:12-17, John 6: 1-14 ) All four of the Gospel writers were there. Can you imagine them sitting with God and watching Him do a miracle of that proportion? I can just see them in the aftermath, in absolute awe of Jesus as they processed how the baskets kept filling up and going out. There was not only enough to feed all those people, but a great number of them could have taken home doggie bags! Our God is a great and Mighty God. He can do anything!

God still does miracles today. The miracle may have been a life saved from physical or spiritual death. Perhaps God provided financially for you. Maybe it was the right thing at just the right time, like a job or friendship. Think about what miracles God has done in your life and give Him the glory again and again, and always look for the lesson in it.

Everybody loves the spiritual mountain top! We have a wonderful experience with God. He provided for us in some great way as only He could have. It was Him and no other who blessed us in such a way. It wasn't human desire or will, it wasn't anything human at all. It was fully God and we know it. So what comes next? Another blessing?

God's word says:

"But we all, with open face beholding as glass the glory of the Lord, are changed from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2Cor. 3:18 KJV

God's glory isn't shown only through blessings and miracles. If we look to the Gospels again, we will see how Jesus taught His disciples a lesson in trust. God's glory is found in everything that comes from His hand, especially the lessons. God's word says,

"Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side of Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After He said good bye to them, He went away to the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea and He was alone on land. He saw them being battered as they rowed, because the wind was against them.

Mark 6:45-48A HCSB

So let's look at that. "The wind was against them" So after a mountaintop experience like the feeding of five thousand, Jesus SENT them into the boat? Did He know there was going to be a storm? He is God, of course He knew. This was a time of testing for His disciples. The scriptures don't tell us when the storm started. But they were out there for hours in open water, rowing.

God's word says;

"Around three in the morning He came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to walk by them." Mark 6:48B HCSB

Wait a minute Jesus is walking on the water towards them when they are struggling and He wanted to walk by them? Hmmm...

Can I ask you, how long have you been out in your boat, struggling against the proverbial winds? It can be days, months, or even years. Times of testing can be different for us all. Especially if you are dealing with a struggle with a certain sin or something like an illness. It's HARD, really hard. We fight and fight. Sometimes we feel as if God is ready to walk past us, but what does God do? Let's see.

"When they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. Because they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, Have courage , it is I. Don't be afraid."

Mark 6:50 HCSB

The disciples were struggling and struggling as they rowed, in their own power, uselessly against the winds. It wasn't until they reached the point where they knew they had no control, but needed Jesus, that God then spoke to them and calmed their fears.

"He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Mark 6:51-52 NIV

The disciples just experienced a miracle, but they didn't get the lesson in it. Jesus knew they had to learn to trust Him, in everything! They didn't cry out to Him until they had the daylights scared out of them! Imagine that? How long will we hold onto our sin, our illness, whatever our situation is, fighting by ourselves before we TRUST in Him?

Jesus got into the boat WITH them. Will you put your faith and trust in Jesus for your spiritual healing? Will you call out to Him and let Him get in your "boat" with you? THAT is the blessing! Messiah Yeshua, Christ Jesus is with us. We may still be out at sea, but He will calm the storm. He will bring peace to your tired and weary soul. JESUS is the miracle! Be blessed!