A crowd waited on the shore, some having walked for miles in order to be there when Jesus and the disciples arrived. This would provide another lesson for the disciples. Far from feeling impatience and frustration toward these needy people, Jesus had compassion on them. He knew these people were as pitiful as sheep without a shepherd. The people needed a true Shepherd who could teach them what they needed to know and keep them from straying from God.
Jesus had been teaching the people until late in the afternoon (after 3:00 p.m.). Sunset was approaching, and the disciples wondered what Jesus planned to do with this crowd that had come far from their homes to be with them. Jesus both astounded and exasperated them: “You feed them.” The disciples summed up the situation and found it hopeless—“It would take a small fortune to buy food for all this crowd!” So what did Jesus mean, and why would he ask them to do something so obviously impossible? The disciples could see only the impossibility of the situation.
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, thanked God beforehand for the provision he was about to give, and then broke the loaves. As Jesus broke the loaves, the miracle occurred -everyone had had enough to eat
Jesus did what the disciples thought was impossible. He multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed over five thousand people. What he was originally given seemed insufficient, but in his hands it became more than enough. While we may feel that our contribution to Jesus is meager, he can use and multiply whatever we give him, whether it is talent, time, or treasure. When we give our resources to Jesus, they are multiplied.
Jesus then went up into the hills by himself to pray. Going into the wilderness, alone with the Father, helped Jesus focus on his task and gain strength for what he had to do. While Jesus went to pray, The disciples went fishing. The disciples often fished during the night, so sailing out into the night was not unusual. However, a storm blew in.
Jesus saw the disciples in serious trouble. Jesus came to them, walking on the water. While some might try to explain away this miracle by saying Jesus was simply on the shore, Mark clearly states that Jesus walked on the water. Not only that, but he had walked a great distance. John records that the disciples had gone three or four miles by the time Jesus came to them.
Jesus called out to the disciples over the storm, telling them not to be afraid. The literal reading for “I am here” is “I am”; it is the same as saying “the I AM is here” or “I, Yahweh, am here”Jesus, the “I AM,” came with unexpected help and encouragement during the disciples’ time of desperate need. Jesus then climbed into the boat with the disciples. Then, as had occurred once before when the disciples had been tossed about by a storm at sea, the wind stopped. Jesus had revealed to them his complete mastery over nature.
The disciples had seen Jesus perform numerous healings, calm a raging sea, multiply food to feed over five thousand people, and walk to them on the water. Their responses to the last miracle had been fear and then amazement. While they had seen the miracles, they still didn’t understand them. They had seen the loaves multiplied, but they didn’t realize who Jesus was and what he could do. Mark explained that their hearts were hard. This was not merely misunderstanding; it was a hard-hearted refusal to believe. The disciples needed a good healthy dose of faith in order to be able to see and understand.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)
Lord, give me your eyes to see and faith to believe today. Lord, I believe You can do anything at anytime with anyone. Lord, do a miracle in our church. Do a miracle in our finances. Do a miracle in our culture. Do a miracle in the lives of our families. Lord, You know the folks who need healing. Lord, touch them. Build my faith and build my trust in you today in a mighty way. Lord, I want to step out in faith and live in faith and believe by faith. Remove doubt and uncertainty from my life.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
PRAYER
"The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" Luke 17:5 (NIV)
Lord, a very simple prayer today. Just as the disciples prayed an asked You to increase their faith. Lord, I ask you to do the same today with me, my family and COV. Increase our faith.
It is a wonderful gift from God to read these passages with the benefit of hind sight, and to imagine what it would be like to be there to wittness such miracles with our own eyes, to participate in the handing out of bread and fish, to see Jesus walking calmly through the stormy troughs and cresting waves, and then for Him to simply command nature to do His will, and instantly calm the waters.
ReplyDeleteWell, how much greater the miracle He did, and the great gift He gave, by His obedience unto death on Calvary, His ressurection, His appearences to His disciples and many others, and His ascension into Heaven.
Who knows? Perhaps we are in that generation who will see Him again when He returns in His glory. In any case, we shall see Him and be joined with Him forever.
I pray for faith and obedience day by day, and wait upon the Lord to be called for whatever task He may have for me. Let me remain a willing and obedient servant.
All the miracles Jesus can do are just simply amazing. He can heal the sick, raise the dead, and now He can walk on water. The power of God's gifts is so astounding.
ReplyDeleteLord, I want to thank You for all types of doctors. Each day they're saving countless lives that need to be lived. Lord, I want to ask You that doctors discover cures that will save lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.