Tag worship

Waking Up To The Wonder – Pt. II

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Mark 6:46-52 & Matthew 14:22-33

It is in the storms that we have the opportunity to see the reality of just how powerful and wonderful our Savior is. In Mark 6:52 the writer mentions the hard heartedness of the disciples, exhibited by the fact that the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 had no impact on them. The storm was allowed so that they could get a fresh glimpse of just Who and What Jesus is.

As soon as Jesus got to the boat, after walking on the water, the wind and the waves ceased (Mk. 6:51 & Matt. 14:32). No word was spoken, no command given, yet suddenly the roaring wind and the raging sea were still and calm — suddenly everything went from a jet-engine roar to silence. Note the disciple’s response, as Mark tells it: “. . . they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.” (Mk. 6:51) Matthew concludes his record of this scene with these words: “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Notice the progression here:

First, there was apathy, as we saw in the last article. Whether it was from fatigue, distraction or familiarity with spiritual things, there it was–apathy.

Second, there was amazement. The word speaks of experiencing something of such an unusual nature that we can’t wrap our minds around it. It speaks of being intellectually stretched. May we keep our eyes open for those times when the Savior does a work in our lives that is beyond human understanding–something we can’t wrap our minds around. To think that He would love us when we were at enmity with Him! To think that while we were yet sinners, He died for us!

Third, there was admiration. They were filled with “wonder”. If amazement speaks of being intellectually stretched, then wonder speaks of being intellectually stunned. It is the experience of something that is beyond words–something that we cannot wrap our words around. There are times when we just need to shut our mouths and soak in who He is and what He has done and is doing–not a time to speak but to soak!

Finally, there was adoration. The disciples were brought to a place of worship. Matthew’s account tells how they moved to the front of the boat and worshipped Him–literally they bowed down before Him. I fear I get too used to bowing my head and my heart (whatever that means). But sometimes I am so moved with who my Savior is and what He has done for me that I must bow my knee before Him in true worship.

In the first stormy event involving the Lord and disciples, when He commanded the wind and the waves to cease, those in the boat responded with the question, “What manner of man is this that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” At the conclusion of the second stormy event they come and say, “Truly thou art the Son of God.” Do you see the progression. The Lord broke through their calloused hearts and brought them to the overwhelming realization that they were in the presence of the One who is Divine! They were in the presence of God. May we, as they, wake up to the wonder that then leads to worship!

Waking Up To The Wonder – Pt. I

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Mark 6:46-52 & Matthew 14:22-33

I used to think, “If only I could have lived during the first century, watching Jesus, observing His miracles, listening to His teaching. No doubt my heart would always be engaged, always passionate for Him, never waning.” But we discover that those early disciples were just as human as we are. Mark 6 records the miraculous feeding of over 5,000 people with a few loaves and fishes. The reaction of the Lord’s closest followers, the inner circle? Meh.

No doubt they were tired. Had they become so familiar with the sacred that spiritual things had lost their edge? Had the miraculous become common place? What would shake them from this apathy?

Matthew says that Jesus “constrained” them to get into a boat. He was very very insistant. The storm they would face while on the sea would once again bring them to the end of themselves and put them in a place where they could see the Lord more clearly.

Mark 6:52 tells us that “they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.” Through time their heart had become calloused, petrified — insensitive to what the Lord was doing and what He was teaching.

In the midst of the storm (the second they would face) Jesus came to them in a manner they had never experienced nor imagined. When I was in church as a child we, with the eyes of faith, watched Jesus walk on the water about four times a year. This was a fresh experience for the disciples — they had never seen the flannel graph depiction and did not know how it would all end. They were terrified to their core. What does Jesus offer to them in their terror and anxiety? Does He promise to calm the storm? No! Does He tell them to trust their skills? No! Instead He interjects Himself into their storm and says, “Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.” Their calm and comfort would come from His presence.

Because of time, we will stop here and ponder this: Their calm and comfort was to come, not from their circumstances or environment but from His presence. Could it be that our peace is in direct proportion to our proximity to the Saviour? We lack peace and joy when we are distant from Him. Yet you and I know people, around whom storms would swirl, and yet they had this incredible calm and unshakable joy–why? Because they were close to Him. I too have known some of those times. I trust you have as well.