Jesus Does the Impossible

Last night during family devotions we read from Mark 6:45-53 when Jesus told His disciples to go to the other side of Galilee.  When the disciples reached the middle of the sea, they faced strong winds which hindered their progress.  They rowed hard, but the wind was contrary and blew upon them.  Despite their prior experience and strong effort, they made no headway.  When they were in the middle of the sea, Jesus approached and would have overtaken them, walking on the water!  Seeing Christ walking upon the water, the men thought He must be a ghost.  But Jesus told them not to be afraid, climbed into the boat, and the wind and waves ceased.  His disciples were amazed over the power of Christ to transcend the laws of nature.

Jesus told His disciples to go to the other side of Galilee, knowing they would be incapable of doing so.  The stormy, contrary winds and waves were not a surprise to Him.  Being the Creator, the forces of nature are nothing for Him to overcome through His divine resources.  From this we learn that will God command us to do things we cannot do.  Things God tells us to do are frankly impossible for our flesh to accomplish.  We are incapable, but God is able.  When the power of Christ is brought to bear on our impossible situations, Jesus does for us what we cannot.  Our lack of faith hinders us from obeying Christ.  The disciples thought they could muscle up with their oars and make it across the sea, but all their sweat and toil was in vain.  It is never through fleshly effort we can accomplish God's directives, for it is not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit we are victorious.

Do you sometimes feel you are pulling at those oars day and night and gaining no ground?  Your hands are blistered, the cold spray lashes the face, all sense of direction has been lost, and your effort seems so fruitless that the only option seems to be to give up and go with the tide.  But when you invite Jesus into your life, right into the midst of the storm, He is able to bring you to the desired haven.  This truth is illustrated in John 6:18-21:  "Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. ¹⁹ So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. ²⁰ But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." ²¹ Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going."  When we willingly receive Jesus in faith, He can bring us to where He wants us to be.

Don't try to ride out the storm without Jesus.  When we submit to His rule in the storm He is able to calm both us and the storm.  May we never cease to be filled with wonder and amazement as He saves us!