Luke 8:22 “Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.”
Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
I. The Other Side
a. There is something special about the Other Side.
i. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.
1. Some say it was the chicken’s way of proving to the possum that it could be done.
ii. Where is the grass always greener? The other side.
1. You’ve probably seen pastures where the cows have their heads stuck through the barbed wire to get at the grass on the other side of the fence.
2. Human nature leads us to believe that everything is better somewhere else with a different set of circumstances.
3. But remember, this is not always the case…and when it is the case, it’s because a whole lot more rain has fallen on that other side, and that other side has gone through a whole lot more manure.
b. What is ‘going to the other side’?
II. Difference.
a. The other side promises something different.
i. My kids often tell me they want to go “somewhere”…nowhere in particular…just some magical place called “somewhere”.
ii. The simple interpretation is that they want to go to the other side.
iii. “Anywhere is better than just sitting here.”
b. The other side holds the oft-mysterious promise of greatness and adventure!
i. This promise is not always kept, but when Jesus calls for us to go to the other side, there can be no doubt that the grass is indeed going to be greener!
c. The other side may mean many different things to us today.
i. Maybe it’s the other side of a trial you’re in.
ii. Maybe it’s getting past a hurt in your life.
iii. Maybe it’s finding God’s provision despite a downturn.
iv. Perhaps it is moving past where you are into a deeper relationship with God.
v. Maybe it’s taking hold of promises that God has made to you and seeing them materialize!
d. Whatever it specifically means to you today, one thing is clear – it means that there will be a difference.
III. Departure.
a. To follow Jesus, the disciples realized that it would be necessary to leave their nets.
Matthew 4:18-20 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (19) And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (20) And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
i. When they left their nets, they launched a world-changing career!
ii. When they departed from the familiar, laid aside their very identity to follow Jesus, they embarked on an adventure unparalleled in history.
b. In our text, a more-mature group of disciples were asked to leave the familiar surroundings and comfort of a region where they could have been treated like royalty.
i. Matthew tells us this same story and includes a catalog of many miracles that had been wrought there:
Matthew 8:14-16 “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. (15) And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. (16) When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:”
ii. He also had healed a leper and the Centurion’s servant just prior to this.
iii. Do you think that these sort of miracles would make someone popular/famous/sought-after? Of course!
1. They could have stayed there and enjoyed the popularity and comfort that comes from a large community of faith.
2. This means that they were willing to step out of whatever their level of comfort was so that they could step into the forward-moving work and will of God!
iv. These events took place in Peter’s hometown of Capernaum.
1. If you go to Capernaum today, you will find a very large structure that is believed to have been Peter’s house. It is the largest in the city.
2. So Peter himself was being asked to leave his hometown, the comforts of familiarity.
3. Sometimes we’ve got to get away from home and into unfamiliar territory in order to see the move of God!
c. Departure also speaks to us of leaving behind things that are not conducive to pleasing God.
i. Sin.
ii. Attitudes
iii. Lethargy
iv. Inaction
v. Relationships
d. We must be willing to ask ourselves the difficult question: “What do I need to leave behind in order to move forward in my walk with God?”
i. And then be willing to step out in faith to do it.
IV. Difficulty
a. How wonderful it would have been if verse 36 had said something like: “and He snappeth his fingers and yea verily they were on the other side.”
Mark 4:36-39 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. (37) And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (38) And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
b. As the disciples obeyed and departed, they found themselves facing difficulty, toe to toe.
c. Storms at sea are no fun! I’ve been in them, and the best way that I can describe the feeling I had is to say that every cell of my body was ready to vomit.
d. The storm was so bad, that they even questioned Jesus’ concern for their wellbeing.
e. The road to your destination is going to have a few potholes.
i. Malcolm Muggeridge said, “Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.”
ii. Swindoll tells of a gentleman who served on one of Walt Disney's original advisory boards. He said that those early days were tough; but Disney was a remarkable, creative visionary who refused to give up. He shared how Disney responded to disagreement. He said that Walt would occasionally present some unbelievable, extensive dream he was entertaining. Almost without exception, the members of his board would gulp, blink, and stare back at him in disbelief, resisting even the thought of such a thing. But unless every member resisted the idea, Disney usually didn't pursue it. Yes, you heard me correctly. The challenge wasn't big enough to merit his time and creative energy unless they were unanimously in disagreement!
1. If you’re not experiencing any difficulty, then your destination must be incorrect!
2. If all of Hell isn’t against you, then SET YOUR SIGHTS HIGHER! LET’S GET TO THE OTHER SIDE!!!
f. The most important thing to remember when difficulty is choking the life out of you is that JESUS is on board!
i. Once they had enough of battling the storm on their own, they finally went to Jesus.
ii. Think about it…they put up with the storm until the boat was nearly sunk…it was FULL.
iii. Don’t let difficulty and storms take you to the point of near sinking!
iv. Get Jesus involved right away.
v. But if you’ve already let your troubles get you down, don’t despair – He’s able to come in even at the last minute and calm the storm!
V. Destination
a. The destination has got to be foremost in our minds!
b. It is said that settlers crossing rivers on horseback had to place their focus on a single point on the other side in order to keep from traveling downstream.
c. In our text, the destination was Gadarra.
Mark 5:1-2 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. (2) And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, (3) Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: (4) Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. (5) And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
i. This destination was where Jesus delivered the man for whom nothing else had worked.
ii. Had they not gone to the other side, this tormented soul would never have found an answer.
iii. The text tells us that Jesus cast the evil spirits out of him and when it was all said and done, this tormented soul was sitting, clothed, and in his right mind!
d. When you reach the ‘other side’, there are benefits not just to you, but to those around you who need to know that Jesus is alive and well and able to deliver!
VI. Decision
a. This is out of chronological order really, because this whole process starts with a Decision.
b. Could the disciples have refused to go? Sure.
c. Can you decide to stagnate? Can you choose to ignore God’s call to the other side? Sure.
i. But can’t you see the value in crossing over?!
d. Tired in the battle? He’s here with fresh strength.
e. Confused about His direction? Let the Holy Ghost speak to your heart today.
f. You deserve the blessings of the other side!
