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Refreshment in Refuge
by Gina Burgess
This is the fifth of the eight signs. In John 6:15-21 we read how the people who were fed supernaturally with food from Jesus’ hand wanted to forcefully make him king over all. Jesus was appalled about it and secluded Himself to pray; and immediately (Matthew 14:22) when evening came (John 6:16) He urged the disciples to cross the lake to Bethsaida (Mark6:45). In the fourth watch, while storm winds churned up the waves, Jesus walked on the water to the boat in the middle of the sea. When Peter and He had sat down in the boat, immediately the wind ceased and the sea calmed.
This is a separate time than when Jesus was asleep in the boat and He was awakened by the terrified disciples fearing for their lives and His. He called them of “little faith”. Then He said, “Peace, be still.” There was instantaneous calm with flat seas and no breath of wind which is recorded in Matthew 8, Luke 8, and Mark 4.
Jesus is on the mountain praying. His disciples are in a storm-tossed boat in the dark heading for a place they can’t seem to make much headway towards because of the tossing about. How like the lives Christians live today. We sojourn in this storm-tossed life sometimes believing Father is not close by, and Jesus seems even further away. Yet, all the while He is praying and interceding for us in an up close and personal way sitting right next to the Father. Then when we have almost given up hope, here is Jesus doing a miracle for our eyes only, His arms reaching out to comfort us.
John recognized the divine nature of Jesus when he wrote the words, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God…All things were made through Him and without Him nothing would be made.” To recognize divine nature and to experience divine power are as different as night and day. Too often we Christians mouth prayers of supplication without truly believing God will grant the request. Why do we consider our prayers unworthy of divine notice or simply outside of God’s will?
Jesus only desired to prove to His disciples that He was all powerful with all the divine capabilities of the one true God of Israel. He did not do this in front of the crowds. His desire was not one for approval, or to be set on the earthly throne. For events to happen outside of God’s perfect will was abhorrent to Him. Jesus reinforced to His disciples his earlier divine control over nature with this second act of walking on water.
Jesus said, “I AM. Do not be afraid.” Fifty-one times through the NJKV God expresses this comfort, “fear not”. Why do we not take to heart just how powerful God is? Why do we not take His comfort at face value? “Fear not.” “Be not afraid.”
If Jesus calms the raging waves, walks on water, and was raised from the dead, then how can we fret? He promised to never leave or forsake us. Remember His prayer for us and all to come in the years after He rose in John’s seventeenth chapter. That power is exerted for all God’s children. And the people said, “AMEN.”
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Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.
She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.
If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon
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