Pictures in a Storm

Pictures in a Storm

Mark 6:45-54

It had been a busy day for Jesus and the disciples.

Jesus had been teaching the people on one side of the lake and the other and when it got late, He demonstrated His power by feeding a massive crowd with only five loaves and two small fish, teaching them that He was the Lord of the little.

Now that evening is there, he tells His disciples to take the boat back across the lake.

There are a couple of reasons He sent them away.

First, it was because of the crowds. John chapter 6 tells us that the people were so excited by the feeding of the five thousand that they wanted to make Jesus their king. Even though He is the rightful king, He knew that the time for that hadn’t yet come. So, He sent the disciples away to remove them from that kind of thinking. He didn’t want them to get caught up in the frenzy of the crowds.

Now, you need to understand that the people only wanted to make Jesus their king because he gave them something to eat. But the same thing is true today. People vote and elect the person who promises them the most even though they rarely, if ever, deliver.

Another reason He sent the disciples away was so He could spend some alone time with his Father. He knew the direction of His ministry was changing. He knew the miracles and His popularity with the people would bring Him into direct conflict with the religious leaders. He knew persecution and death were just around the corner.

Finally, he may have sent them away because of the disciples themselves. After all they had seen Jesus do, they were still filled with doubts and unbelief. Jesus uses this storm to reveal His deity and power to His disciples once again.

Often, when this passage is preached, the emphasis is placed on the storms of life. We preachers love to emphasize the truth that Jesus helps the hurting because we live in a world of hurting people.

While that’s one possible application of this passage, it’s not the only one it suggests.

I want to approach this passage a little different today. I want to take these verses and show you a few of the different applications found here. I want to look at some pictures in a storm.

Let’s pray and we’ll read our text.

Pray!

Mark 6:45–54 ESV

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. 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, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him

First, we see a picture of:

The Burdened

There is a great word of comfort here for those going through a storm in life. As we’ve all heard, you’re in one of three places today. You’re either in a storm, coming out of a storm or headed into one.

There are physical storms, mental storms, emotional storms and spiritual storms. There are storms in homes, marriages, at work and at church. There are storms that rage publicly and there are storms hidden in the heart.

Storms are part of our existence. Storms touch every part of our lives. We all find ourselves in stormy situations. These verses offer some help and hope for those passing through a stormy time of life.

Let’s look at how

He sent them

We’re told that Jesus made them get into the boat. They didn’t want to go and it’s almost as if Jesus had to literally push them into the boat and push it away from the shore.

Did He know a storm was coming? Of course! In fact, I suspect that He may have planned it just for this occasion.

What you and I need to remember today, as we face our own stormy times, is the truth that God stands behind all the storms of our lives.

If we’re in a storm it’s because He’s sent us into it. Some people have problems with that truth, but it should give us comfort!

If just one area of our lives is outside His control today, then we’re in serious trouble. If Satan, the world or this flesh is able to disrupt my life, apart from the permission of God, then no area is safe.

But, if God is in control, then whatever He brings into your life will always work out for our good and His glory.

He sent them and:

He saw them

They were on the sea in the middle of a dark stormy night. Jesus was miles away, on a mountain, praying. Yet, He still saw them. We find two great truths about His care for His people right here. First:

His interest

Even though He was busy praying, He’s still interested in them and their problems. He saw them struggling as they worked painfully against the sea. Even the wind was against them.

They were fighting for their lives and Jesus saw it all. He knew their condition. He knew what they faced. And He cared for them and their safety.

Today, we have the same assurance as we go through the storms of life. We have a Savior who is interested in what we face in life. He cares about what you’re facing today. So, bring your impossible situations to Him and watch Him handle them in His power!

We see the truth of His interest and:

His intercession

Jesus was on a mountain, but He wasn’t wasting His time. He was in prayer. Surely, He was praying about the direction of His ministry, but He was praying for the men struggling in the storm.

Understand that you have not been abandoned in the storms of your life. It might feel like He isn’t close or isn’t involved but the truth is far different.

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

He sent them, He saw them and:

He saved them

Jesus didn’t just send them out to die in a storm. And, He didn’t just watch from a safe distance while they struggled. Jesus took an active part in their rescue. Let’s look at how He ministered to them on that stormy sea. First, it was by:

His presence

They weren’t left to struggle alone. He came to them using the very waves they feared. He’s promised that He would never leave us or forsake us. He’ll be with us and sustain us through all the storms of life. We never have to face a storm alone!

He used His presence and:

His peace

When those disciples saw Him walking on water, they thought they were seeing a ghost. They were terrified and cried out. They screamed like a bunch of little girls going through a haunted house on Halloween.

They were scared senseless and Jesus responds to their terror with, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

See, if they had recognized who was with them, they’d have known there was no reason to be afraid.

The storms of life terrify us and often the Lord comes to us on the very waves we fear and we don’t recognize Him. But when we do, He’ll comfort our fears and give us peace.

He used His presence, His peace and:

His power

Jesus just walks up to the boat, gets in and when He does, the storm stops. John’s gospel tells us that when Jesus got into the boat, it immediately arrived where they were going. One minute they’re in the midst of a storm and the next they’re on calm water and at their destination.

If you’re in a storm today, understand that He can calm the winds and waves. He has the power to do that. On the other hand, He might choose to do what He did with Paul. He might leave you in the storm and calm the fears in your heart.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” …

Either way, the storm won’t matter when He demonstrates His power.

We see a clear picture of the burdened in this passage, those who are facing difficulties and pains. We also see a picture of:

The Bride

The bride of Christ, the church, is made up of every believer ever, from the beginning until Christ comes back. If you’re saved you are part of the bride of Christ. Let’s look at how He saves His bride.

He saves

Just as the disciples were compelled to get into the boat, everyone who is part of the bride was compelled to come to Jesus. You’re not saved because of anything you can do or choose. Jesus said in

John 15:16

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you…

You’re saved because He came to you in your dead, lost condition. You’re saved because God loved you and drew you to His Son. You’re saved because He called and you came. You’re in His boat because Jesus put you on board. And there’s room for plenty more.

He saves His bride and He sends his bride.

He sends

Just like the disciples, He has sent us on a journey. We’re not headed to the other side of the lake. We’re headed to heaven. We’re heading for a perfect place that He’s preparing for us.

But on that journey, He’s given us a task. He sends His bride, His church, His people out into the world with a message of hope and forgiveness.

It’s not a message of forcing people to live and act the way we want. It’s not forcing our beliefs down people’s throats. It’s not about trying to change society through political means. It’s not a message of clean up your act, start behaving in a moral manner and living a godly life so that you can be saved.

He sends us into the world to act as the light, not to condemn people but to say there is someone who loves you and is willing to accept you just as you are. Only He can change people’s lives, minds and actions. Our mission isn’t to change or save anyone because only He can do that.

And I’ll be honest, Jesus wouldn’t show up in most churches today because Christians have become so self-righteous that we’re just like the Pharisees.

He saves and sends His bride. He also sustains His bride.

He sustains

When we’re faithful, our struggles don’t go unnoticed. He sees everything we face and sustains us through the stormy seas of this life.

He sustains His bride with His presence. He’s always with us.

And we need that today because the bride is under attack. And I hate to say this but much of that comes from problems within the church. The modern church has been gripped by apathy and complacency.

Many churches are satisfied and set in their ways. They’re opposed to any kind of change and are content to simply attend services once or twice a week. They don’t want anything else because they’re satisfied. As long as there are some people in the pews and some money in the bank, they’re happy.

If you try to change anything, the music, the carpet, the paint, even the time, people get upset and if they don’t get their way, they stop coming, they stop giving or they leave. But almost all of them will start complaining or murmuring.

It’s sad but true.

Just let me say, that if you do any of those things because of changes, you have a spiritual problem that needs to be addressed.

Fortunately, there are some who still want the Lord to do something. Those people won’t be disappointed. If there are just a handful who want to see Him move and act in power and see lives changed, He’ll honor that with His presence

Just as Jesus delivered His disciples to the other side of the lake, he’ll deliver His bride safely as well. It might get stormy and the sea may get rough but He’ll see His church safely to the other side.

The world won’t destroy the church. Satan won’t destroy the church. Those inside won’t destroy it either. The church isn’t going down. It’s going up!

We see a picture of the burdened and the bride in this passage. Finally, we see a picture of blind.

The Blind

I really think that this is what this miracle is all about. Jesus sent the disciples into the storm to give them a lesson in faith. He sent them into the storm so they could understand who He really was. In a lot of ways, the disciples were blind to who Jesus truly was.

I guess the same could be said about many who claim to know Him today. There are many today who say they’re saved but don’t really understand who He is and what He’s all about. This passage has something to say to those who are blind.

First, it says something about the teachings of faith.

The teachings

There they are, out on the sea, terrified and afraid for their lives. All of a sudden, Jesus just shows up and demonstrates His great power over nature. He wasn’t going up and down on the waves. He wasn’t being tossed about by the winds. He was walking out to that boat just as calmly and as surely as is He had been walking on the sidewalk. Then, when He got in their boat, the waves instantly stopped.

These men had all proof they needed to believe that Jesus was who He said He was, yet eleven of them didn’t fully understand until He died on the cross and rose from the dead. One of them, Judas, never did get it.

Even without this miracle, they should have known who Jesus was. Think about what they had already seen:

· They’d seen Him cast out demons

· They’d seen Him heal all kind of diseases

· They’d seen Him calm a storm

· They’d seen Him raise a girl from the dead

· They’d seen Him use them in an amazing way

· They’d seen Him feed thousands with just a little

Jesus had given these men an extensive lesson in His power and ability, but they never quite got it. In spite of all they had seen Him do, they still doubted His power and ability to handle the next situation.

Let’s not be too hard on them.

We’re just as bad as they were. After all, haven’t we seen God move in our lives? If you’re saved, you’ve participated in the greatest miracle God can accomplish! If He’s saved your soul and changed your life, it stands to reason He can do anything!

· Hasn’t He answered your prayers?

· Hasn’t He moved mountains for you?

· Hasn’t He blessed you beyond measure?

· Hasn’t He proven Himself time and time again?

Then, why do we seem to have so much trouble just trusting Him? Why do we seem to have so much trouble following Him where He leads? We truly are a people of little faith!

Guess what?

He’s going to keep sending us to school, just like He did these men, until we get it! He’s going to keep on training us to trust Him by faith until we learn that He is capable.

Jesus did it with His disciples. God did it with Israel. He’ll do the same thing with His church and with His people. He’s determined to bring us to the place of total trust, dependence and obedience.

The longer it takes us to learn this truth, the more storms we’ll have to endure!

It has something to say about the teachings of faith and the transgressions of faith.

The transgressions

We’re told that the disciples saw the miracle on the sea and were utterly astounded.

They couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw Jesus do what He did. But, should they have been surprised? Of course not! They couldn’t believe it because they didn’t want to believe it!

They had watched as the loaves and fishes were multiplied in His hands. They had watched Him take a lunch that was only enough for a child and use it to feed thousands. At that point, they should have been able to trust Him for anything, but their hearts were hardened.

Basically, what they saw Jesus do didn’t mean anything when they faced their next trial.

We’re no better than they were!

How many of us have seen Him do the impossible time and again, yet we still fail to trust Him to be able to take us where He wants us to be?

You know what our problem is, don’t you? We’re just like those disciples; we have small faith and our God is too small!

As long as what He wants to do fits within our understanding of who He is we’re fine. But, when He starts to stretch our faith and does things we can’t understand, we begin to pull back.

As long as God stays inside the box, we’ve made for Him we’re fine, but when He begins to work in ways we’ve never seen Him work before, we close our hearts to Him and what He wants to do in us and through us.

As a result of our small view, we often miss out on the big things He wants to do in our lives and in His church.

Our lack of faith can actually limit God’s power to work in our midst.

His power isn’t diminished, but He often won’t demonstrate that power in the midst of a people who refuse to trust Him by faith! We can have a big God who moves in big ways, or we can have a little God who rarely shows up and never shows out, but we can’t have both!

We need to decide what we want around here!

It has something to say about the teachings of faith, the transgressions of faith and the testimony of faith.

The testimony

As soon as they reach the shore, Jesus once again tries to remove all doubts from the minds of these men. As they watch, the local people bring out their sick because they have more faith than the disciples! They believe that if they can just touch the fringe of His clothes they’ll be healed.

Many do and are instantly healed!

Now, He has used His disciples to heal before and here He does it himself.

Understand that He’ll accomplish His work with or without us. He didn’t need His disciples. He chose to work through them. It seems like it would have been easier if He had just done it Himself. He doesn’t need any of us either. He chooses to work through us.

When we’re willing to walk by faith, He’s able to use us in a great way. When we’re not walking in faith, He won’t use us the way He’d like to and He’ll find others He can use. Let’s choose to be a people He can use!

Are you burdened today?

He knows and cares. Bring your storm to Him and let Him give you the peace you need.

Are you a part of the Bride?

Keep looking up. He’s coming for His people. If you aren’t saved, I invite to come to Jesus today. Let Him change your life and make you a child of God.

Are you blind to His person, His power and His potential?

Have you closed your heart and mind to what He wants to do in your life and in this church?