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QUESTION: “How can Jesus help me with my problems today?”
REPLY: This is best illustrated by reading Scripture. “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 [of Galilee, jtpII]; 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’" (Mark 6:45-50). Let’s note some parallels with our plight, today. 1. Jesus waited until they were “in the middle of the sea.” Why? They had to realize that He was back on shore and separated from them. But He knew where they were, and what their need was, and how to best help them, didn’t He? Today, we know that “after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). But we forget that He knows where we are, what our need is, and how best to help us, don’t we?
2. They were “straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.” The word “straining” literally carries with it the meaning of “torture, or distress.” They were putting all their effort into trying to counter the effects of the contrary wind. Jesus responded to their effort (“work” if you please) when all they could do to make progress didn’t amount to very much. Today, we seem greatly hampered by failed plans, faltering faith, sickness or disease, sadness or sorrows, economics, any or all of which become “the wind” against our progress, completely out of our control. Why are these things much different from that wind? Jesus knew, as He now knows, that we live on an earth where so much we face is out of our hands.
3. He came to them, demonstrating His Supreme Power over everything they were facing: wind, sea, darkness. They had seen many mighty miracles from Him already, yet they “cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.” They were surprised that: 1) He came to them; 2) He could come to them; 3) He wanted to come to them! Today, are we often in the same boat as they? Aren’t we surprised that:
1) Jesus comes to us, even Providentially providing what, or who, we need when we need it? 2) Jesus could overcome our barriers and be where we need Him to be for us? 3) Jesus’ on-going attention to our life is such that, He asked: “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). And, He thanked God, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12). Jesus will see that all who remain in the boat (“church”) will be cared for.
4. He encouraged an optimistic attitude to go onward: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Have a good outlook because we’re dealing with Jesus the Christ, and He is still God, and, therefore we have nothing to fear: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Keep rowing, my Brethren! -----JTPII