Mark 6:45 - 52

Preamble:
It was prophesied late last year that the early part of 2016 will be cloud.  It appears it’s real.  Look around to see and hear the happenings – Political as well as economic instability, insecurity on the high side (may be the recent deaths in Ikirun affected you).  Business people cry now because of Naira value (1 dollar to 380 naira), the pains of students, taken to prison because of riot, etc, not to talk of different challenges on the homefront, due to either joblessness, insufficient funds for family, wayward children, spouse quarrel and conflicts.  Yet in all these, we are called to show forth our salvation.
Yes, storms of life are real and we need to appreciate the fact.
But then, there is solution.
How, did the disciples handle their own storm?
How will you handle yours?
Will you fold arms until storms sweep you off?
Let’s look at the Word.

Some Lessons to learn from the narration
1. Lesson 1: Crowd excitement is not always wise (v. 45)
2. Lesson 2: Prayer after service is wise ( v. 46)
3. Lesson 3: Crying for help in time of need is wise (v. 47 – 49)
4. Lesson 4: Receiving the presence of Jesus is wise (v. 50 – 51)
5. Lesson 5: Remembering and trusting the power of Jesus is wise (v. 52)
From v. 45; the first lesson is that crowd excitement is not always wise.  The crowd had been fed miraculously.  They were extremely excited, for Jesus was bound to be the Messiah.  He could always feed them and meet their needs, no matter what their need were. They wanted to take Him by fore and make Him King (Mk. 6:45-52; cp. Jn 6:14-15)
Jesus could not allow the disciples to be caught up in the excitement and worldly desires of the crowd. God’s will had to be done; and His will was the Cross, an eternal kingdom, not a worldly kingdom that gives man a life span of only seventy or so years.

From v. 46; the second lesson is that prayer after service is wise
Note what Jesus did.  He dismissed the people, sent them away.  Why? So He could get alone “to pray”.  God, not the crowd, was…

-His source
-His excitement
-His strength
-His object of worship
-His rest
-His deliverance
-His motivation
-His source of renewal

He had to get alone with God.  The word for prayer (proseuchasthai) is a descriptive word. It means to pray fervently, to pour one’s whole heart and total being out to God.
-He was exhausted. He needed God’s presence and rest
-He was tempted.  He needed God’s strength and deliverance ( Matt.14:22 -23)
-He was drained spiritually.  He needed to worship God and to be renewed
-He was weary of man’ worldly excitement and motives.  He needed God’s excitement and motivation.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matt. 26:41)
“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always”. (I Chr. 16:11)

From v. 47 – 49;  the third lesson is that a cry for help in time of need is wise.  A storm came up while the disciples were crossing the lake.  Three things are stressed about the disciples in the storm:
1.Their struggle was long. The lake of Galilee was only four to six miles across.  They had been rowing against a headwind for some six to nine hours and has progressed only about three miles.
2.Their fear was horrifying.  The disciples were physically exhausted and mentally drained from using all the seaman’s skills at their disposal.  Their lives were at stake; they were struggling for survival. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, they saw a figure, an apparition (ghost) walking on the water.  They were sacred, frightened, perhaps bordering on going into shock-perhaps thinking that the death angel, or a premonition of their death, was at hand.
3.Their cry was desperate.  They were all toiling and rowing to save their lives (v.48) and they all saw Christ, and were terrified.

Note two significant points here:
a.     The disciples desperately needed help.  They did exactly what they needed to do to get help: they cried out to Jesus.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (I Pet. 5:7)
In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribath. Selah (Psa. 81:7)
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know’. (Jer. 33:3)
b.    The disciples were doing God’s will when the storm came.  They were doing exactly what Christ had told them to do, that is, cross the lake and get ready to minister there.  The storm was part of God’s will.
They had to learn…
To confess their need for Him before He could help.
To endure against the storms of life
To trust through all, no matter how terrifying.

From v. 50 – 57; the fourth lesson is that receiving the presence of Jesus is wise.  It was a seriously stormy night. The disciples were terrified; they cried out for help.  All of a sudden, a voice from the body walking out on the water shouted out: “Take courage; it is I; don’t be afraid”, (v.50). The authority and assurance of the voice made the disciples realize that it was Jesus.  The disciples were encouraged.  They knew they were safe and secure.  He cared and He had the power to take care of them all.  Note three result.
1.     Their fear was eased
2.    The storm was calmed
3.    They stood amazed (beyond measure) in the presence of the Lord.
What Do We Learn?
1.    Receiving the presence of Jesus Christ takes care of all problems and trials. He gives
 the strength to row through all the storms of life, no matter their turbulence and severity.
2.    Think:  What if the disciples had been forced to face the storm alone? What if we had to face the storms of life alone?  Which storm would drown the breath of life out of us? Which storm would send us reeling into eternity, having to meet God unprepared?
From v. 52; The fifth lesson is that remembering and trusting the power of Jesus is wise.  The disciples had no reason to be so amazed at Jesus’ calming the storm.  They had just witnessed the miracle of the loaves and the feeding of five thousand men with just a little food.  Christ was unquestionably God.  And God not only cared about people, He could do anything for people – even control all of nature.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (Phil.4: 6 – 8)
Jesus visited His hometown where He had been reared.  On the Sabbath He entered the synagogue for worship.  Note it was His custom to worship on the Sabbath.  He was faithful in His worship of God ad faithful to the church.  This was the very synagogue that Jesus had always attended as a child. It was a small community synagogue where everyone would know everyone else.  Jesus and the congregation were neighbors; some were close o His family

Conclusion:
The Storm of Life Today
Different people, different storms
Different locations, different storms
Different situation, different challenges
Note:
The presence of Jesus didn’t prevent the storm
But Jesus appeared when they needed Him most
Storms of life are real, except you’ve not experienced one
What To Do Now:
    Don’t think you are alone
    Cry to Him
    You said, you have
    Then wait
Refuse any counsel, step decision, association that will put to question you relationship with the Saviour
Resolve and pray now and on