Immediately He Made Them Get Into the Boat!

"Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"  (Matt. 14:31)

Hey Gang:  Welcome back to the story of "Contrary Winds".  We left the last message at the point where the cleanup had been completed and the multitudes sent on their way home.  Time for some camp fire chatter and then into the arms of Morpheus, right?  But Jesus had something else in mind.

I remember times in basic training for the Air Force that after completing a day of physical, and often very rough training, the Tactical Instructor would inform us to fall out in full packs for a ten miles trip into the wilderness.  It seems he was not happy with our efforts that day.  I believe Jesus was not happy with the fruits of that day of growth and training on the part His chosen twelve. 

The disciples were about to learn a lesson that would stick to their gizzards like glue, one that would remain in their hearts when they, too, would  find themselves in the midst of storms.  Yes, He sent them into harm’s way but with a purpose, "To teach them that "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you"  (Heb.13:5). Wow,   Thank you Yeshua!

Notice what Jesus did immediately after launching them into the deep, He went up into the mountain to pray.  Does that make you feel good from tippy top to the bottom of your feet?  How do you fell this morning knowing Jesus, who came to earth to take your sin burden to the cross and open the way for you to be freed from the bondage of sin, sits at the right hand of the Father in intercessory prayer for you?

Notice the next step: " Just when it was at the apex of the crisis, the darkest hour, the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea" (v25).   How would you feel if, in the midst of crisis, you looked out and saw someone walking towards you that looked very much like a ghost?  But is that not the way we are, when we are up to our arm pits in alligators with our back against the wall? We tend to remember all those other times when we could not see the trees for the forest.  

Notice Jesus response to that terror: "Do not be afraid" (vs. 27).  Not an uncommon phrase used by our Lord.  Even today when we find ourselves in deep waters, He is saying, "Be not afraid, I AM the I AM that has been in your past, the I AM in your present and will be the I AM in your future.  (Gramps redition).

Notice the story of Peter, the impetuous one, but he did get out of the boat!  Would you have had the faith to step out of the boat that night in the midst of the tempest?  I wonder if I would have.  You do know we may all have to get out of the boat .....soon and stand firm for the sake of Jesus Christ and Truth!

Soooo, my friends, what is God trying to teach us in this message?  We find that bottom line in verse 33, "And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, You are certainly God's Son!.   Do you feel like singing a verse of How Great Thou Art?  Oh, go ahead,  I will sing along with you!

Blessings,

Gramps