Have you Ever Been Told to Get Into the Boat?

Holy Land Picture of the Day

Young Israelis Today's picture is of young Israelis and the snowman they built during Israel's recent winter weather. It reminds us of Isaiah 29:23; "But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will sanctify My name; Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel"  “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.” (Matt. 14:22).   Notice the words- “HE made”.  Yesterday, we closed with a question that is so very important when answering the question ‘Did Jesus ever have a bad day?’ In the next five verses we are given a lesson in the love and provision of God.  “After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain to pray and when it was evening, He was there alone.  But the boat was already a long distance from the land battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.”  (v 23-24) He made them get into the boat and push out into the Sea of Galilee, a sometimes violent sea in daylight, let alone at night.  Keep in mind these were seasoned fisherman in that boat and they would have split for shore as soon as the waves began to kick up, but they had something going for them, they had Jesus on the mountain praying for them. Can you say amen to that? One thing we do know is when the waves are turbulent and the winds are blowing violently, you can row until your hands are raw and make no progress.  We also note from this story that although there was discomfort, it was not a life threatening experience for them -for Jesus, the intercessor, was praying for them.  Notice, when Jesus came to them.  He came at the fourth watch when it was blackest and they were exhausted and I suspect they were about to throw the oars over board and let happen what was going to happen.  Have you ever been there? when it seems no matter how long and hard you pray, your prayers feel like bricks that fall to the floor?  I certainly have. And then it happened, someone on that boat was praying or perhaps all of them were in the midst of a prayer meeting when Jesus appeared walking on the water.  Were they expecting Jesus to come and save them?  Obviously not, because they did not recognize Him but thought He was a ghost and it scared the beegeebees out of them.   Can you imagine how they must have felt when Jesus said, ‘Hey troops, take courage, be not afraid, it is I’.  Wow, Lord, how neat it is to hear those words when we are up to our armpits in alligators and the swamp is rising.  How neat that He never leaves us dangling but comes at the time when it seems all is lost. The lesson that Jesus taught that night is found in verse 33, “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying,  You are certainly God’s Son!”  How wonderfully assuring it is to know that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father in intercessory prayer for you and me! Blessings,   Gramps