Storms in the Eye of Obedience

unnamed (2)

One of the miracles everyone seems to know about is the feeding of the 5000. It is late and this crowd has been with Jesus a long time. The disciples want Jesus to send them away but He says … no let’s feed them. They go to the food pantry and the only thing left is a boy’s lunch or 5 pita’s and 2 sardines.

Jesus starts handing out food to the disciples to distribute to the people and then get a doggie bag to handle the 12 baskets of pieces of bread and fish. Then we are told there were 5000 men at the picnic. I am guessing there were a few wives and kids … so probably it was more like 10,000 satisfied bellies.

However, what I love is what happens next. Jesus tells the 12 to get in the boat and head to Bethsaida another town on the Sea of Galilee. So they get in the boat and head out while Jesus dismisses the crowd and heads up on a hill to pray. The sun sets and the boys are in the middle of the Lake and going nowhere fast. It is now the fourth watch … somewhere between 3:00 am and 6:00 am. They have been rowing for at least 9 hours and I imagine having some interesting conversation.

Remember 4 of these 12 were fisherman on their own lake. Sailors have a reputation of having a salty vocabulary. The other 8 – not fishermen – might have been getting a little nervous as well as angry. Here is what I find interesting … these guys were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do. They got in the boat and headed for Bethsaida.

They have been straining against the oars trying to go into the wind and now it is almost morning of the next day and they are only halfway there. They are right in the middle of obedience … doing what Jesus told them to do and find themselves in the middle of a storm.

While they were still straining they look out on the water and see someone walking along on top of the whitecaps. They are not really thinking straight at this point and think he is a ghost. Now they are really scared and think they are all going to die. Suddenly, Jesus speaks up and says … “Relax guys it’s me.” He gets in the boat, sits down and tells the wind to stop. It becomes calm and the guys are “amazed”. I don’t know if it was the walking on the water or the stopping of the wind but everyone is astounded by Jesus.

Maybe you are working on being obedient … doing the right thing. Yet, there is still a storm in your life. The best thing to do when you are encountering a storm in the eye of obedience … look for Jesus. He is there for you right now. He has not forgotten you but is with you. Some times when things are tough we confuse our feelings of self-condemnation with the idea that Jesus is condemning us. There is NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus. Look for Him in the storm … He is always there.

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *