When Jesus Shows Up

“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.’” —Matthew 14:25-26

“Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’ But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?’” – Luke 24:36-37

Like the disciples, we want the Lord to show up, but when He does, we don’t believe it is really the Lord.  So what was the problem? The problem was the problem. Jesus was not with them physically and they needed Him to be to feel safe.  When He showed who He was – the son of God, the master of the seas -and all creation – not limited by walls and doors – they were afraid.  We are much more comfortable when we are within the bounds of our natural understanding. It is one thing to say “He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And another to walk and live in that truth.  Even though Jesus was not in the boat or in the room, that did not mean that He was not sovereign over their circumstances.  I have cited this quote from the Focus on the Family Truth Project several times, “Do you believe that what you believe is really real?” It is a test of faith. Acting on what we believe and not depending upon our circumstances and what we see. 

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.  A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” – John 14:16-20

Jesus told His disciples that He was leaving but the Father was sending the Spirit and the Spirit would dwell in each Believer. The presence of God is always with us.  That is why we are told to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh – by faith and not by sight – living with a supernatural perspective and not a natural  one.  In fairness to the disciples – both times – in the boat and hiding in a room, they did not have the Spirit of God in them. They had the Son of God physically with them.  Their faith was in large measure dependent upon their ability to see Jesus.  Each time He told them to have faith. And that is true for us as well.  We have plenty of reasons to fret in this natural life, but we are not bound by the natural – but by the eternal. We need to see beyond our circumstances, good and bad, and look to Jesus by faith.  What are you struggling with today? Look to Jesus. 

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone