John 6
Read John Chapter 6 :: Here
Devotional ::
“When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”
John 6:16-21
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Put yourself on this boat for a moment.
You push off from shore at the request of Jesus (Matt 14:22; Mark 6:45) after watching him perform the unbelievable miracle of feeding five thousand with a few loaves of bread and two fish. You’ve seen him multiply bread with your very own eyes. You actually walk around passing it out, as hungry hands receive and gratitudes are directed your way. Both your heart and belly are full. You and the other disciples still can’t quite wrap your minds around what you just witnessed!
Jesus has quickly ushered you off because the crowd is talking about making him king, and you were this close to being one of the cabinet members! He says he’ll catch up with you later.
A small storm rolls in as night settles upon you. Nothing to be worried about. You’ve been at sea with a storm before. But this one is growing in intensity. The waves are strong and the wind even stronger. What should have been an easy sail has now taken many hours to go only three or four miles; roughly half way. You find yourself exhausted from rowing and fighting what feels like a losing battle, but nowhere closer to Capernaum, your final destination. Sometime after three in the morning, your attention is drawn to the raised shouts and pointing fingers of your fellow disciples. Everyone’s attention is drawn to something, no, someone out on the water…
The other gospels recount this scene and tell us that the disciples believe Jesus to be a ghost or a spirit and cry out in fear. It’s crazy what a momentary storm in life will make us see or miss-see. How wild that the physical exhaustion that life so often creates could actually make us fear Jesus! This is Lord and Savior, breaker of bread, miracle performing, lover of our souls, Jesus! Fear him? Absolutely not. But how often we stiff arm what we don’t know or understand…
Perhaps another word might be doubt. Maybe there were whispers on the boat that it might be Jesus and not a ghost after all. Maybe Jesus would show up to help us, but I’m not sure… We see in Matthew 14, Peter actually asks, “Lord if it’s you, bid me come.” All this AFTER Jesus announced himself and reassured the disciples that they shouldn’t be afraid. He still needed to ask to be sure!
The story concludes in verse 21. “Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.” Jesus makes everything better. He makes the striving unnecessary. He gets us where we need to be. Are we delaying things because our perception is off? Have the rain and clouds caused us to not see Jesus as the Savior that he truly is?
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Reflect ::
•Have you found yourself looking for or expecting the worst rather than Jesus to make an appearance in some of life’s situations?
•Consider your own faith for a few moments. How strong is it? Does it need attention? Need to be refocused?
•Jesus crossed a stormy sea on foot to get to his disciples because he knew they needed him. Why is it sometimes easy to doubt that he would do the same for you?
•Had you been on this boat, do you believe you would have found it easier to believe Jesus was on the water or a ghost? Ask yourself honestly.
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Prayer ::
Jesus, forgive me for doubting you, your ability, and your plan. I know you have my best in mind. Help me learn to trust you in a deeper and fuller way. Show me the areas of my life where I’ve not trusted you entirely and tried to do things in my own strength. Your ways are higher than my ways and I’m thankful that I don’t have to have all the answers, because you do.
{In Mark 9:24, a father asking Jesus to heal his child makes this statement, “I believe; help my unbelief!”. Spend a few minutes asking the Holy Spirit to do just that, help your unbelief.}
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Action ::