The following scripture illustrates how Jesus can be so close to you and I yet we continue to use our natural eyes to see something that is coming supernaturally into our lives and we miss the significance of something we ought to see. Our eyes must be open to spiritual sight over natural eyes. Ephesians says it this way: "that our eyes would be opened in order that we see clearly:
Mark 6:45-52 "45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. 47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened."
This is the story of the disciples rowing against the wind and waves and getting nowhere fast. They weren't disobedient and in fact, they are rowing against the wind at Christ's command. In other words, they were in obedience to what was asked of them to do. Some people have the idea if you are in God's will then life should be easy, everything should go your way and that every time you awaken the birds should be singing. Particularly in North America, we have this mentality that life should be easy.
Let me throw this out to you. Getting nowhere may be of God! If you give me a few minutes I will try to explain what I MEAN HERE. The first time we start to strain at something we think we are out of God's will. If it is difficult then it can't be God. Do you know what we tell people who decide to come to our church? You are in for a lot of spiritual warfare but there is no life like it!!
This story begins, as Jesus had just finished feeding the five thousand and He had sent the disciples to row on the lake. Just get out there and row. For some reason, He wanted them out there and we know that Jesus never did anything that He did not see or hear from the Father. So the father was part of this plan. The disciples were not having any fun but they were not going to die. Don't confuse this story with the other story of the disciples out in a boat that was going to capsize.
Let me tell you what I think was happening here, I believe Jesus was praying for His disciples that His God nature would be revealed to them. I also believe that this scripture indicates that Christ intended to walk past the disciples and that this was a test for them. Why? Because Christ wanted to reveal the Divine nature to His followers. I believe that this was lesson 101 for the disciples and that Christ had planned it all along that they would be rowing against the wind.
Rowing against the wind is hard work and no fun but they were not going to die out there. How many of you feel that you may be rowing against the wind some time? It is tough at times but it doesn't say that Jesus took pity on the disciples here. Well, I will just go out and rescue them. No, it doesn't say this. Actually, it says just the opposite. Jesus intended to walk by them so they would see firsthand yet another miracle. As far as I know, no one had walked on water up until this point in the bible. Yes, the Israelites had passed through the Red Sea but no one had walked on water. Jesus wanted to demonstrate His divinity to His followers. Just like today, when miracles happen it is to draw people closure to Christ. Jesus had no intention of getting in the boat but the disciples failed a critical test here and totally missed the miracle. They missed it and I don't want you to miss it when the Lord brings miracles into your life. When Christ walks towards you I don't want you to see Him in a different fashion other than His divinity and His desire to demonstrate His power to you.
This scripture is interesting because Jesus had a plan that was totally missed by the disciples. They are rowing against the wind hard and Jesus comes to them in a totally supernatural way. Don't say well of course He is God. No Jesus came to them as a man who only did the will of His father (obedience). Jesus didn't want them to get to the other side too fast because His whole intention was for Him to walk past them and have His disciples see Him. (The bridegroom wanting His bride to see Him.)
In the O.T. and N.T. there are all sorts of references to raging waters representing chaos. The Red Sea and the Lord parting it for the Israelites. Can you imagine the chaos there when the Israelites had Pharaoh's army on one side and the sea on the other. So what is happening here? Jesus is trying to teach His disciples much like He is trying to teach us. The point is if we will see Christ for who He really is then He is able to still the chaos in our lives. If we will see Him as a miracle-working God then He is able to do exceedingly above our expectations. If we will just see the miracle of Christ in our lives. (When the H.S. comes His desire is to bring order out of chaos).
Old T.V. show "Get Smart" the enemy of order in our lives is chaos. What I think is happening here is that it is the father's desire that the disciples see Jesus as divine and yet they missed this aspect. I also believe that Jesus was praying for this very reason. He was not just a prophet or teacher there were lots of prophets and teachers He was divine and that the disciples must see Him as the living God. To see the miracle and build their faith that despite chaos miracles will always flow out of chaos when you see Him. If they had caught it they would have moved to the next level. If you catch it you can move to the next level. Miracles are all around you and do you see Jesus for who he truly is?
Many of us have had Jesus do totally miraculous things in our lives yet we choose to see them as ordinary and mundane. The Lord protects me when people have pulled weapons on me. Miracles are all around us can you see? Protection for your life restored relationships financial miracles. They are all around us if you will see Jesus. The disciples choose not to see the miracle yet it was in their very midst. Those that have ears let them hear. Some of you are looking for Christ in this way or that way and He won't come in your way!!!
I see miracles all around us. You are a miracle!! When I was born I weighed 4' 8" and I am a lot bigger today. I have had miracles throughout my entire life. Do you see Jesus!!!
Rather than getting up each day and grumbling about wow is me, why don't you recognize Him working in your life? See Him!! Why? Because He doesn't want to pass you by. Well, Pastor you just don't understand things haven't gone the way I wanted them to go. So what!!! When you are just treading water Christ wants you to see Him in His divinity!!!
How did the disciples respond (they responded naturally) Like opening up a door and not expecting someone on the other side. They were frightened. Why? Because they could not see the supernatural their spiritual eyes were closed to seeing spiritual things. I don't want this to happen to you. You must see the Lord at work all around you!!! Don't miss it!!!
Our desire is to get through tough things and it may be the Lord's desire to have us see Him in the tough things!!
These were professional fishermen used to being on the water in tough times but they missed it. How many professional Christian miss Christ when He comes because He doesn't come in the way they expect. As soon as Jesus did something in a way they didn't expect they were terrified. Several weeks ago we had a person come up to the front and shake and chuck and something came out of Him. It wasn't nice and it wasn't pretty but He was set free!!! Deliverance is not pretty!!!!
I was raised R.C. but then suddenly Jesus came to me in a different way and I saw Him. I saw Him and He still comes to me in different ways and the challenge is to see Him clearly.
Let me ask you a question: Are we more comfortable when Jesus is absent than when He is with us. Can you see the miracles that are all around you or do you see everything as ordinary and mundane?
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