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How Well Do You Know Jesus?
How Well Do You Know Jesus?
John 6:15-21
As servants of the Lord, we can become overwhelmed with the size of the tasks we face in the ministry. We face many personal storms in our lives and those that the ministry and other people impose upon us as well. Storms can damage our faith or establish us more firmly in the faith as we get to know our Lord better in the storms. The disciples and the Lord had just fed thousands of people and were no doubt weary from the work. The Lord went alone into the mountain and the disciples got away from the people by getting into a boat and headed out into the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were caught up in a windstorm and this is the beginning of their getting to know the Lord better.
Jesus had been healing the sick and feeding the multitudes to prove to the people He was the Son of God. The people missed the whole point of His miracles and were seeking to force Him to be King of Israel. Isn’t it interesting that the people of Jesus’ day were seeking free health care and free food just like people today. When they found someone who met their physical needs, they wanted to make Him King. Jesus came to be Savior of the world, not King yet, so he quickly removed Himself from the situation. He was obedient to His Father’s will. When you really come to understand the obedience of the Son of God, it will be much easier for you to be obedient, even in storms.
Jesus was omnisciently aware of His disciples’ plight just like He is aware of yours. Jesus allows you to experience storms in life so you can find Him in the midst of them and get to know Him better. Do not despise the storms; look for Jesus in them! The disciples, like us, were so caught up in their dilemma they did not know the Lord when He showed Himself to them. He was doing the impossible in walking to them on the water. Do not question His ability as Almighty God to walk on water. He had divided the water of the Red Sea and the Jordan River for the children of Israel to walk through on dry ground. He was in the firestorm with the three Hebrew children so that even an unsaved king recognized Him. What a promise we claim of His presence in our storms from Isaiah 43:2, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle thee.” When you really know that you serve the Lord Jesus, the Almighty God, you can overcome your own personal storms and even those you are cast into by His strength!
Jesus compassionately saved and removed them from their storm. When they saw Jesus coming to them, they were afraid because they did not immediately know Him. In Matthew 14:27, Jesus told them, “Be of good cheer, it is I.” When Jesus saw their fear, He instantaneously identified Himself and told them to cheer up! The disciples then willingly received Him into their ship and witnessed another miracle. When they allowed Jesus on board, He immediately removed them from the storm and they were at their destination. Trust the Lord and His leadership and He will compassionately move you out of the storm. It might not be as swift as this occasion, but He will direct you in the appropriate way. He is not interested in you staying and suffering in the storm indefinitely. Just trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). When you experience a great storm of life, you can see and know the compassion of your Savior!
The storms of life may have engulfed you already or will in the future. While you are looking for Him to reveal Himself in the storm, remain calm and resolute in your faith. Do not question Him, trust Him. Isaiah 26:3-4 encourages you, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Know the Lord well and you will be comforted and guided by Him in the storms of life.
