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Lesson 26 of the Discipleship Making process.
I left you last time with this question, “Why do you doubt? . . . and . . . Why are you fearful?”
When Jesus fed five thousand men, not including women and children, with just two fish and five loaves the people were astonished. They wanted to make Him king. Knowing this, Jesus immediately told His disciples to get in the boat and get out of town, while He went up on the mountain to pray.
Read: Matthew 14:24-33, Mark 6:47-52, and John 6:14-21
There are several lessons that can be learned from the events in this story. The primary one involves obedience to what Jesus says to do and in doing so He will supply all that we need to complete His request. Let’s take a closer look at the story.
The sequence begins when Jesus tells the disciples to get into their boat and go ahead of Him to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake. They obeyed Him immediately and even kept going when the winds and the sea made it difficult for them. Jesus observed their progress from on top of the mountain. He saw the struggle they were having in complying with His commands just as He does ours. Having compassion for them He decides to walk across the lake to give them encouragement in the midst of their struggle.
It was dark on the lake that night so Jesus passed near enough to them so they would recognize Him. The miracle of walking on the water was meant to reassure them. In other words it was if He were saying, “Keep going guys, I’ll see you in Bethsaida just like I said.” From this impromptu encounter the disciples were supposed to understand that Jesus was aware of their difficulties but was expecting them to make it to the other side of the lake despite the obstacles.
But the outcome was surprisingly different. The disciples were terrified at His unexpected appearance, thinking they had seen a ghost. According to the Scriptures this fear was generated because they had forgotten about the miracle of the loaves and their hearts had become hardened. The disciples like many of us have forgotten that Jesus still does supernatural things in support of His people.
As we look at the story as a whole we can see it is representative of what is occurring in Christians lives on earth at this time. In the midst of the struggle Jesus wants us to remember His command, “Take courage it is I, do not be afraid”.
The point of the lesson is Jesus cares for you and will help you.
With that, allow me to leave you with this question to consider, along with a little homework assignment until my next posting:
Do your traditions violate God’s word?
. . . and the homework assignment . . .
In the midst of your struggle Jesus wants you to remember His command, “Take courage it is I, do not be afraid”:
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: Jesus has commissioned you (Matthew 28:18-20) and will return for you. – Matthew 14:22
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: Jesus has gone before you. – Matthew 14:23a
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: Jesus intercedes for you. – Matthew 14:23b
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: Jesus sees your struggle to do His will. – Matthew 14:25a
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: Jesus comes to you in miraculous ways to encourage you. – Matthew 14:25b
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: You may become frightened when you see the supernatural. – Matthew 14:26a
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: You may wonder about supernatural occurrences as well; Is it really Jesus? – Matthew 14:26b
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: Jesus wants you to be assured that it is Him in the supernatural, “Take courage! . . . Don’t be afraid.” – Matthew 14:27
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: You may want to participate in the miraculous things Jesus is doing. – Matthew 14:28
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: You may not want to participate in the miraculous. – Matthew 14:29a
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: It will only be by faith and through obedience to Jesus that you can participate in the supernatural. – Matthew 14:29b
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: You may take your eyes off of Jesus and become distracted by the circumstances surrounding you. – Matthew 14:30a
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: When you cry out to Jesus, He will rescue you. – Matthew 14:30b
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: Jesus says to you, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” – Matthew 14:31
- Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid: It is easier for you to reach your objectives when Jesus is along for the ride. – Matthew 14:32
Until next time . . . Godspeed!
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