AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE

Matthew 14:22-27

Morning Meditation 3/7/2015

"And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."

Jesus had told His disciples to go by ship to the other side of the Lake of Galilee. During the evening a storm arose. It was so bad that the disciples didn't think they would make it. No doubt, this was a journey fraught with threats from the elements. But the disciples still have lessons for the disciples to learn.

Jesus stayed behind to pray. Jesus saw His disciples rowing with all their might. They were disparaging of life when the unexpected happened. We are told that "in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them walking on the sea." It is not bad enough to be tossed around but they saw Jesus coming walking on the sea. Have you ever thought what you would do in a situation like this? You could get out of the boat, but no, that's not a good idea. We might say that the disciples were cornered. That means there is no way out. Let's notice what Jesus did:

HE CAME AT AN UNEXPECTED TIME

What would be our reaction to a similar situation? The boat we are in is filling with water. Hope has gone away. Then suddenly they look up and there Jesus is walking on the water. He is definitely coming to their rescue.

This is one of the ways God operates. He arranges an environment for faith to thrive. It is not easy for us to stand still when our feet say run............ The fact is God is always in control. He has never for one moment lost control. He came at the time of their greatest need.

We need to remember that God is in control. He can stir up a storm at His will. So if you are in a storm, remember God is your Father, He knows where you are, and it will honor Him if you live with the expectation of a last minute rescue. The thief on the cross made a last minute rescue. One of the thieves said to the Lord, "Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with men in paradise." This is a little too positive for a liberal. The liberal would say, "O I think this will pass away. Give it time, it will heal of it's self.

This is not going to be a long drawn out affair. The thief made a move to secure his forgiveness. Before the Prodigal gets his request out of his mouth, the fatted calf was brought in, a new robe was provided him for the feast, and a new ring had been slipped on his finger.

NEXT WE SEE THAT JESUS CAME TO THEM IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY

Who would ever thought that Jesus would come walking across the waters. When they saw Him fear gripped their hearts.

God's ways are not our ways. This is one of the important reasons that the believer should constantly search the Scriptures. His ways are written so that we can have a working knowledge of His ways. The greatest experience of the Christian is to maintain a constant relationship with our heavenly Father.

Often God makes Himself known in the Scriptures. Then providence is one of the ways God uses to meet with us. Saul of Tarsus met Jesus in Acts chapter nine. Saul discovered that He knew Him. This meeting changed Saul of Tarsus into Paul the beloved apostle. Paul's earthly life was terminated as a martyr in Rome. When the ax fell and Paul's severed head rolled on the ground, He met Jesus face to face and received a welcome in heaven. Paul was caught up to paradise one time during His ministry on earth and saw things not lawful for man to utter (2Cor. 12). By the time the martyr's ax had done it dirty work, Paul entered Paradise. I can just see Paul as he goes through the gates of glory shouting, "I'm back!!!"

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White