"And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them." (Mark 6:48)
I never cease to be amazed at the "little things" that jump out of scripture - no matter how many times a person has read something. I'll never forget the day this little phrase popped off the screen as I was casually reading my scripture passage of the day.
Jesus had told the disciples to go on ahead of Him across the lake. They immediately got into their boats and were obeying Him when a huge storm arose. From what I understand, this wasn't anything abnormal, but there seemed something a bit "more" about this particular storm. It was more aggressive, more driven - almost a supernatural attack against them in an attempt to prevent their passage.
From other accounts we read that they struggled for most of the night against the wind and the waves. Remember, some of these disciples were gristled and experienced fisherman who had spent their lives on this body of water. They weren't rank amateurs (like I would be). Still they seemed to be making little or no progress. They were stuck. Doing what Jesus had told them to do. In full obedience.
Then from out of nowhere, along comes Jesus walking towards them on the water - atop the thrashing waves, despite the adverse winds. Just casually strolling on toward His next assignment. Mark shares with us a very stunning comment at this moment: "(He) would have passed by them." After all, He had a mission to fulfill, He was on assignment. Think about that for a moment. He was walking toward them, but He wasn't there FOR them. He would have continued about His merry way.
Comparing the other gospel accounts we read that once Jesus climbed into the boat they were immediately at the shore. But reading Mark's account sheds even more astonishing revelation. They didn't recognize Him - even after He told them Who He was! They just knew He appeared to be a ghost. They also knew that once He climbed aboard the storm ceased. Even THEN they didn't recognize Him! It was not until they reached the shore safely and unboarded the ship that Mark records they knew Him. Wow! There are so many sermons in this passage!
Today I want you to think about the phrase "He would have passed by them." With what are YOU struggling today? You are not in direct disobedience to Christ. Maybe you are on a mission He told you to complete. Your heart is right, your spirit is in line with God's, yet here you are in a struggle - seemingly for your very life. You are in what should be familiar territory, doing things you know very well how to do, but you are stuck. What was once familiar and comfortable now appears to be trying to destroy you. It looks distorted, like you are looking at life through a fun-house mirror. You are trapped in a real-life haunted house with no discernible progress and are starting to feel panicky.
Lift up your eyes. Your Help is coming to you - walking on the water, so to speak. You may not be able to see Him clearly. Circumstances have changed how you feel about Him and how you see Him. At this point, you may even be convinced that He did this to you. Don't let Him pass by you. Reach out to Him. Call out His Name. Let Him join you in the circumstance. Don't keep trying to defeat this thing on your own - even if it's something you have defeated in the past. Allow Him to bring you safely into the shoreline and get to know Him in a new light.
Things we go through change our perception about life. And yes, they change how we see God, too. Some choose to turn away from God in the storm, blaming Him for it all. After all, He could have prevented it in the first place. They may or may not survive the storm, but they will die on this outdated, stagnant memory of the Jesus they once knew and loved. Please don't be that person. Cry out to Him right now and allow Him to show Himself to you in a new and mighty way. Do it now.
Be blessed.
Comentarios