JESUS KNEW WHAT WAS IN THEIR HEARTS
The disciples had no idea what was in their hearts but Jesus did, and He brought them to a place of testing that exposed it all. He told the twelve to get into a boat and cross the sea, knowing full well that a storm would soon envelop them.
Now, these men thought they were trusting followers of the Master. After all, they had seen thousands fed with just a handful of fish and a few loaves of bread. So, as they stepped into the boat, they probably thought they would never doubt Jesus again.
It is one thing to see miracle-working power in your pastor’s life, and quite another to experience it for yourself. Now, as the winds began blowing and the waves rose higher, the disciples’ test came. Soon the boat filled with water, and the men started bailing as fast as they could. In just minutes, however, they knew their ship was going to sink.
Listen to what emerged from these men’s hearts in their time of testing: “Lord, don’t You care that we’re all about to die? We’re going down! Help us, Jesus. Are You God or not? Don’t You care about us?"
Jesus’ very own disciples were tempting Him! Indeed, they spoke almost the very same words to Jesus that the Israelites had spoken to Moses: “They tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?” (Exodus 17:7).
Yet, all along Jesus knew what He was doing. He could have commanded the winds and waves to cease long before they did. Such power was always present in Him. But, instead, He allowed His disciples to be tested in a literal, life-or-death situation.
“His disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. . . . They see Jesus walking on the sea . . . and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” (John 6:16-21).
Now, these men thought they were trusting followers of the Master. After all, they had seen thousands fed with just a handful of fish and a few loaves of bread. So, as they stepped into the boat, they probably thought they would never doubt Jesus again.
It is one thing to see miracle-working power in your pastor’s life, and quite another to experience it for yourself. Now, as the winds began blowing and the waves rose higher, the disciples’ test came. Soon the boat filled with water, and the men started bailing as fast as they could. In just minutes, however, they knew their ship was going to sink.
Listen to what emerged from these men’s hearts in their time of testing: “Lord, don’t You care that we’re all about to die? We’re going down! Help us, Jesus. Are You God or not? Don’t You care about us?"
Jesus’ very own disciples were tempting Him! Indeed, they spoke almost the very same words to Jesus that the Israelites had spoken to Moses: “They tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?” (Exodus 17:7).
Yet, all along Jesus knew what He was doing. He could have commanded the winds and waves to cease long before they did. Such power was always present in Him. But, instead, He allowed His disciples to be tested in a literal, life-or-death situation.
“His disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. . . . They see Jesus walking on the sea . . . and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” (John 6:16-21).