Get On Board With Jesus Series

GETTING ON BOARD WITH JESUS!

Jesus is the Sign of the Season (5)

John 6:14-21

DECEMBER 9, 2007

A little boy was once asked what his favorite Bible story was? He thought for a moment and then said, “I’ve always liked the one where everyone just loafs around and fishes!” Well, that is ot exactly how it went last week, nor where we are going this next week.

14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."

15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,

17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.

18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.

19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.

20 But he said to them, "It is I; don’t be afraid."

21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Photo of the DISCOVERY

The news shows us some amazing events at times. Just recently the news covered the story of the exploration ship, the Discovery that sank. Thank goodness no one lost their lives. But the irony of the story came when you understand the underlying reason for the trip. The captain had billed the trip to environmentalists who were concerned about global warming and the melting icebergs. They were so caught up in the movement and the emotion of the times that they did not see the iceberg that hit them and destroyed their ship until it was too late. Not to mix metaphors but they missed the tree for the FOREST. They literal got lost in the middle of their mission. So it is with the apostles.

There was no indication from our study last week that the disciples knew what was going on then. John as an eye witness of the miracle gives no hint, even with the 20-20 vision of hindsight that he nor any of the other apostles really understood what Christ intended at this time. Christ clearly understood the intentions of the crowd. They wanted to make Him king by force. Now, I want you to catch the ludicrousness of such a move. If you are forcing someone to become king in a way or a time that he does not want to be king, who is really in charge. See, if they had humbled themselves before Jesus and cried out that He was no mere prophet but rather, THE CHRIST, THE ANNOINTED ONE OF GOD, then He would have become the King of all Israel and the world.

But that is the problem with your depraved nature. You really do not want God to be in charge of our lives. You will even talk as if God is in charge by calling Him king, but the whole time, your actions and attitude reveal that you are still in charge. Now you do not mind if God is in charge of everybody else’s life as long as He does not interfere with you plans and desires! You really think you have the answer and that your boat is OK without Jesus being on board. And if comes on board, its OK as long as He doesn’t go near the steering wheel, and if He does, you feel he better explain Himself.

In the other gospel accounts, it is clear that Jesus sends the disciples on. I believe it is because He knows that they might be tempted to go along with the crowd and try to make God do their will. I can only imagine the discussion the 12 had as they put out from shore. Well, our ship has come in. Maybe next time the crowd will be bigger and we will get to start our own government. Then James and John start bickering about who is sitting on what side of Jesus again. But, their minds are not on the cross. Their minds perhaps were concerned about what sort of mansion they would have and who they would be in charge of. Maybe they dream of Roman officials serving them and being their butler or maids. Who knows? But, based on John’s recollection here, I get the distinct sense that they just are not ON BOARD WITH JESUS” PLAN at this time. Like the apostles, you need to get on board with Jesus. I know Jesus sent them on ahead without Him. I also know that Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. He was showing them physically where they were spiritually. They were moving ahead in their own boat and headed towards disaster because they just did not get it.