Mark 6:45-52
Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
For the last few weeks, we’ve been talking about rest; specifically the significance of spiritual rest. And although we all instinctively understand that we all need rest, most of us ignore the danger signs of spiritual fatigue until it’s way late, or some serious damage is done. We wait until our hearts are broken and take the next decade to mend and heal. We wait until we have a fall and our reputations are tarnished and irreconcilably damaged. Even worse, sometimes we wait until our faith begins to fail and we spend our lives going through the motions, but deep inside we have quit believing a long time ago. Spiritual fatigue is real! And we must avoid it at all cost.
Jesus understood the necessity of refueling, retooling, reviving and surviving the rigors of ministry. Jesus planned strategic rest. After a particularly strenuous encounter, he went away alone to regain the virtue and power he had given out. He was aware of his limitations. Yes, I said limitations. There are limits to flesh: even Jesus’ flesh. This is why in the Garden of Gethsemane he declared, the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. If Jesus declared he struggled with weaknesses in the flesh, how much more must we be cognizant of those things we battle with? Oh yes, with Christ on our side, we can win. But part of the winning strategy incorporates, spiritual rest.
Mark recounts the amazing events of the ministry of Christ. He recalls, the miracles of healing, his teaching, his preaching and the extraordinary feat of feeding five thousand people with only two fish and five loaves of bread. Jesus certainly was someone special. He was either a magician, miracle worker or something very different. But still, no one imagined him as the Messiah and King. With all the power and authority he possessed, his competency was still in question because he lacked the one thing they thought he needed. He didn’t have an army. And until he had an army, no one (not even his disciples) really believed he was a King. Watch out for people’s opinions. If you listen too long, before you know it, they’ll have you believing you’re not anointed as well.
I pray everyone reading this is taking note of the treatment of our Lord. After all he had done for thousands of people, the testimony of his life was still under scrutiny from the very folk he helped the most. Now you see why you need rest? There are times you must retool, in order to, restart and reset if you ever hope to make it even one step further.
What more would Jesus have to do to affirm his calling? What more could he say to confirm his identity? Don’t ever underestimate the power of corporate conspiracy and institutional lies. Satan isn’t playing games. He seriously plans to stop you by every lying, deceitful means possible. But aren’t you glad to know that greater is HE that’s within you than he that’s in the world?
After consulting with our Father. After dismissing all doubter, haters or distractions, Jesus took his ministry to new heights. He now took command of the elements. Here’s the part I love. Mark says, Jesus was walking on the water like he was going to pass by them and leave them struggling right where they were. Sounds like to me Jesus was making a point. In other words, “how you like me now”?
Dear Children of the King, this is retooling time. You gotta know that after resting and spending quality time with the Lord, you will be different. You will have more power. You will have more anointing. Not only will you survive the storm, but thrive and walk on it to the other side.
God Bless
