Gospel

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Jesus’ miracles were to benefit others - to heal the sick, feed the hungry, raise the dead or restore sight to the blind - except two. After telling the 12 of the cross, Christ promised that some would see of the kingdom of God. A few days later He was transfigured before Peter, James and John. But one miracle stands out as essentially different in nature than the others - when Jesus walked on the foaming seas. He had spent the day teaching and healing, and late in the evening He took the five loaves and the two fish and fed about twenty thousand people. The gospel of John says the people wanted to take Him by force and crown Him king. But Jesus was far more than a king. Humanity was drowning in a sea of sin and Christ desired to assist them. So He directed the disciples to set sail for the other shore. Perhaps the 12 were angry that Christ had not allowed Himself to be crowned, or perhaps it was a coincidence, but an angry sea soon occupied their thoughts. They had no time for regrets or resentment - they were fighting for their lives.

As the waves were threatening to overpower His followers, the Creator of Heaven and Earth demonstrated His power by walking on those same waves as if they were nothing. Our greatest problems are no problem for Omnipotence. Jesus treats them as dirt - no difficulty or worry - He walks over them. The Master walks over our biggest trials and our largest struggles with no harm, and even agrees for Peter to join Him on the raging sea. All twelve disciples got to see Jesus not merely as a great teacher, a good man or even as a King, but as He really is - the Almighty Sustainer of the Universe. What king can do that? None! Jesus offered them, not citizenship in an earthly kingdom, but friendship with the Divine. He still walks near people in crisis, He still says, “Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid.” No matter where you are on the lake, Jesus is near and He sees your situation. He wants to be, not your Santa Clause for earthly gain, but your Savior for eternal joy. I like the fact that the Creator came walking across the lake, looking for the ones He loved. When they were in trouble, He wanted to help. The Almighty came near to aid His friends, to rescue them from life-threatening forces.

The twelve did not understand Christ’s mission - they expected a kingdom, and thus were continually baffled by His actions. They couldn’t harmonize His spiritual mission with their idea of a temporal king. Likewise I do not understand God’s eternal methods in my life. I felt a call to minister, and have been surprised that the Almighty allowed a mate I loved to practice ongoing deception. I have a difficult time understanding the events He permits with the expectations I have...so I too question Him. Yet somehow a purpose is being accomplished.

As Jesus took 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed the 20,000 - so He was taking 12 men to change the history of the world. It might look impossible to us, but not to God. Earlier that day, Jesus had told the twelve, “Give ye them to eat” and had tested Phillip by saying “Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?” Now He was giving Phillip and the others the answer to that question. Not by the power of a king (which they desired) but by the power of the Creator - which He was offering to them - could they do the work Heaven desired them to. It wasn’t to rule in earthly glory, but to serve with heavenly love that they were recruited by Jesus. The Messiah - the “Anointed One” - was ordained to heal, restore and encourage the world - not to rule it - yet. The ruling will come after the subjects volunteer. In saying “Give ye them to eat” Jesus was inviting them work miracles as they conducted their ministry. Like Him, they were to provide when they saw nothing and encourage when they saw no prospect of results...for the Father provides.

As the disciples called out to Jesus walking on the water, He said “Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid.” but in less than 5 minutes Peter was afraid. He so represents how humans act spiritually. Remember the way the children of Israel behaved in the wilderness? Three days after any one of God’s wonderful miracles - they were doubting and complaining. Spiritually, humans are like babies. When the toy is right in front of them, the baby knows it exists. But when the adult puts the toy behind their back, where the baby cannot see it - the baby thinks it is gone - nonexistent. A baby can’t comprehend that the toy is only behind the parents back. So spiritually, most of the time humans only think God exists and His promises are trustworthy - if they can see the evidence directly in front of them. Let a wave or a wilderness get in the way - and the humans immediately think God has ceased to exist. After all, they can’t see Him anymore - He must be gone! We are all related to Peter - we have the same thought processes. We doubt easily and sink quickly.

When the multitude was going to crown Christ king, He put a stop to it by dismissing the people and insisting the disciples get in the boat and go to Bethsaida. Christ did not get in the ship and go with them this time...since their efforts to have Jesus crowned king had been thwarted, no doubt there was a lot of disappointment and frustration cherished by the twelve. They needed time to work that out. It is hard for Christ to be near us when our goals and desires are radically different than His. Thus He leaves us to our earthly striving. It often takes a crisis for us to get our priorities straightened out. When the waves start to roar, then we see our necessities in the correct light. We are much more open to spiritual guidance when our boat is getting swamped.

The twelve represent humanity - we are lost in a storm and doomed to drown in our sins. We get further and further from Christ and the heavenly port. Then in the midst of the raging storm - a gleam of light appears and God comes into our lives. We as new believers all fall in the sea a number of times as we learn to have friendship with the Master. We have all been in the boat for some portion of our lives - tossed and confused by the circumstances around us. We know what it is like to be blown off course in a boat that is sinking...tired and weary with it all. Then out of the darkness a light appears and everything is better...to us also He says, “Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid.”

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