We focused this past
Sunday on Jesus feeding the 5,000. As we unpacked the story, we
saw that at least one relevance for us today is that our resources
are ALWAYS going to be inadequate to meet the spiritual and
physical needs around us. However, as we bring what we have to
Jesus, through His blessing what we have will be multiplied to meet
not only the needs of those that we minister to but our own needs
as well. This story is a primary example of how Jesus can provide
for us in all circumstances regardless of our resources.
However, we didn't spend as much time on the miracle of walking
on the water and I wanted to expand on that a bit for this week's
post.
The disciples have been sent down to the boat to get them away
from the crowds. Perhaps Jesus is already aware that the crowd's
response to the feeding is going to be a reactionary uprising to
force Him to be King. Scripture does not say for certain. But it
seems from the Gospel accounts that Jesus intended to send the
people away and then meet His disciples at a pre-determined spot
later on. Jesus seemed to intend that this would afford some time
for Him to spend with His Father in prayer.
But the disciples can't make it. A strong wind comes in from the
north pushing them further south in the Sea of Galilee and no
matter what they do, they can't back to the shoreline. They are
stuck out in the middle of the lake with no way to get back to
Jesus. Drownings on the Sea of Galilee during storms were not
uncommon, so swimming to meet each other is not an option. Even if
Jesus calms this storm, He is separated by three miles of
water.
Again, though, the disciples are shown Jesus' command over
creation. He defies nature and walks out on the water to His
disciples. When they think He must be a ghost, Jesus calms them by
saying, "It is I" or more simply put, "I am." Now, this is the most
common way for someone to say "It is I" in the Greek or Aramaic and
so we don't want to imbue it with greater significance than it has.
But it is probably not stretching its impact that at the very
least, Jesus here is alluding to the name of Jehovah-"I AM."
After seeing this, Peter wants to get out of the boat and walk
with Jesus. Out he goes and for a time he IS walking on the water.
But then the world crowds around him and he loses faith-he begins
to doubt and with that sinks. Jesus-compassionate as ever-rescues
Peter and they both get into the boat.
Nothing can separate us from Jesus. Not the storm. Not the
water. Not the laws of nature. Not even our own doubt. NOTHING can
separate us from Jesus!
Weekly Devotional Schedule
Monday - Matthew 14:1-21
Tuesday - Matthew 14:22-33
Wednesday - Mark 6:14-44
Thursday - Mark 6:45-52
Friday - Luke 9:7-17
Saturday - John 6:1-21