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In Order. That Can't Be For Me

October 15. Matthew 8:14-34; Mark 4-5.

 

Matthew 8:23 Then he got into a boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 24 Suddenly a terrible storm came up, with waves higher than the boat. But Jesus was asleep. 25 The disciples went to him and wakened him, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re sinking!” 26 But Jesus answered, “O you men of little faith! Why are you so frightened?” Then he stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and the storm subsided and all was calm.

Mark 4:38 Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they wakened him, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?

 

At this time in the life of Christ, He is performing miracle after miracle, even when He does not set out to work a miracle, He is working miracles (a woman sneaks up behind Him and touches His garment and she is healed of her issue of blood). In Mark 8:14 Jesus touches Peter’s mother in law and she is healed of a fever and immediately gets up and begins serving. In verse 16, demon-possessed people are delivered from their tormentors.

These miracles were not secrets; the public knew they happened. The disciples knew they happened. Many times the disciples played a part in them, and most of the time they had front row seats to Christ’s miraculous workings.

So how can it be possible that these followers, disciples of Christ, could react with so little a faith in Christ, so much fear and doubt? How could they even think, “don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?”  It almost seems incredulous, their reaction at this moment.

But there it is human nature at the basic level. We perceive, receive, react, remember and process events in our life differently depending upon whether or not it is happening to us directly or it is occurring in someone else’s life.

You hear of a miracle happening in someone else’s life, or an answered prayer for them and you think that would never happen to you. And then you beat yourself up and present a case to God for why He could never bless someone like you. You probably do not deserve God’s favor and grace any way… What!?!

How can the disciples be eye-witnesses of so many miracles involving others and then doubt that Christ cares for them, His followers? How could they fear that Jesus would not keep them safe in His presence? Where do that doubt and fear come from?

Where do your fear and doubt come from? Quit seeing yourself from your point of view and start to see yourself as He does. He loves you. He would die for you – HE DID! That is how much He loves you! Let your faith in Christ grow today and watch what He wants to do for you. Crush the fear, bury the doubt – live by faith today! He cares.