Wednesday, April 26, 2017

from fear to astonishment

 
But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,
Mark 6:50b-51

Jesus always surprises, always does something new. The disciples lived with the constant display of the miraculous, so much so that every town they entered saw the sick healed and lives made whole again by Jesus. It had become their daily routine. There was no escaping the power of Jesus on display in His public ministry. Jesus healed and changed lives.

One evening a strange order was given by their Lord. He made the twelve leave Him with the crowd and cross over by boat to the other side of the lake. After dismissing the crowd, Jesus went to a hilltop to pray alone. High winds made the sailing difficult for the disciples, and at night, Jesus crossed over the lake by simply walking on the water. As the disciples in the darkness saw this ghostly figure move on the dark waves they cried out in fear.

This is where it gets surprising: Jesus simply ordered their fear away, got into their boat, and as the wind and waves ceased, they easily sailed to their destination. Astonished disciples had their fear turned to amazement at Jesus. Their Master had walked on waves and commanded winds. And He also willingly took boat rides with fearful people, calming them with His amazing presence. Jesus, if You will get in my wind-tossed boat, I will sit amazed at Your power to turn my fear to faith!

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