When Jesus Gets in the Boat - Tuesday Pray & Praise (for others) October 10, 2023

Mark 6:48-50 - He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

It's shocking how despite all the things the disciples had seen Jesus do, He could still surprise them. Or in this case, terrify them. To be fair, if we were in their shoes and saw a figure walking on the water, we'd freak out too.

Now that's out of the way, let's focus on today's lesson. Look at those verses again. The disciples were in a boat straining against the wind while Jesus watched them from the shore. Having compassion, He eventually went out to help them, but they became afraid.

How many times have you struggled against the winds of life? Did you make the same mistake the disciples did? Notice that at no point did they call out to God to change the direction of the wind in their favor. Nor did they seek Him for more strength whereby the wind would no longer be a hindrance. They didn't turn to God at all! Instead, they relied on Muscle Memory and resorted to the tactics they would have used in their 'Before Christ' days. They relied on their personal strength.

Despite that mistake, God's Son got up and walked over to them. His arrival was wrapped in an amazing miracle - walking on water. And the reaction of those whom He was trying to assist was one of fear, not faith that no matter what was approaching, their God would work things out for them.

Have you reacted in a similar way? Have you ever misinterpreted God's miraculous help? Could that have caused you to possibly reject what you needed?

For the disciples, it was only once they set fear aside that Jesus could then come into the boat with them, and once He did, another miracle occurred - the wind died down (Mark 6:51).

Each of us has to realize that no matter what we've seen the Lord do in our lives or the lives of others, He can still surprise us. And because His ways are not our ways as He stated in Isaiah 55:9, we should not expect to see the same old same old from Him. No matter how He packages our miracles, we must walk in faith and a close relationship with Him so we receive His spirit of wisdom and the gift of discernment which will indicate whether we're dealing with Him or the enemy.

Additionally, we have to realize that until Jesus fully steps into the boat with us, the winds of life will continue to pester us. Under those circumstances, we will strain instead of moving with the wind as we are promised in John 3:8, which states, The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Those who have Jesus in their boat, get to walk with the Spirit of God and thereby move in miracles. God does things for them that will never make sense to those who have not tasted of the Lord (Psalm 34:8).

Today, as we gather for the 300th P&P, keep in mind that this is an opportunity to call God into the boat with you. Don't forget that your faith needs to be activated. That way, when He shows up wrapped in a miracle just for you, your response will not be one of fear. We're going to worship God then powerfully pray for one another, calling on Jesus to get into the boat of life with us however He deems fit. We're going to expect miracles and not just for ourselves but for those we are praying for.