“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 “HE made”.
Last time we closed with a question that is so very
important to 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.”
(Matt. 23-24)
He made them get into the boat and
push out into the Sea of Galilee, a notoriously 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 became contrary but- they had something going for them, they had
Jesus on the mountain praying for them. Can you say amen to that?
Power Verse: “In the same way
the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we
should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for
words” (Rom. 8:26). Does that not
warm the cockles of your heart and soul?
One thing we do know: When the
waves are turbulent and the winds 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. 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. I also suspect they were about to
throw the oars over board and let happen what was to happen. Have you ever been there? When it seems no
matter how long and hard you pray, it feels that 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 waters. Were they expecting Jesus to come and save
them? Obviously not, because they did
not recognize Him. They thought He was a ghost and it scared the beegeebee’s
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 you never leave us dangling but come at the time when it seems all is
lost.
So, what was the lesson that Jesus
was praying would penetrate their hearts.
We find the answer in verse 33: “And those who were in the boat
worshiped Him, saying, You are certainly
God’s Son!”
In this day when everything is
being shaken that can be shaken so that only those things that cannot be shaken
will remain, is it not reassuring that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the
Father in intercessory prayer for you and me!
Blessings,
Gramps
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