Passing

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Read:

Mark 6:48-50


Reflect:

I love the irony in this story. Jesus sees the disciples ‘straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.’ This apparently went on all night, so Jesus decides to cross the lake rather than walk around it. He gained on them so quickly that ‘He was about to pass by them,’ before the disciples went into a panic. Jesus was walking faster on water than a team of disciples could row across the same water. He could have crossed the lake walking in less time than the disciples could do it rowing, but He decides to get in the boat because they were terrified.

Jesus didn’t get in the boat to help them accomplish their goal quicker. He didn’t get in the boat to help them row. He got in the boat to calm their fears first. Jesus could have done everything on His own, but He chooses to take the time to comfort His disciples. 

If it feels like you’re struggling against the wind, or if you are feeling terrified for whatever reason, please take comfort in the knowledge that Christ wants to get into the boat with you instead of passing you by. He wants to calm your fears before calming the storms.


Respond:

Lord Jesus, thank you that you do not leave me to struggle on my own, but that you get in with me. Please calm my fears, calm the storms around me, and help me recognise you in every situation. Amen.


Remind:

”Sometimes the Lord rides out the storm with us and other times He calms the restless sea around us. Most of all, He calms the storm inside us in our deepest inner soul.”

~Lloyd John Ogilvie~


Photo by Boba Jovanovic on Unsplash

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