Morning Devotional
July 16, 2004
"Amazing Jesus"
by Don Emmitte

Immediately after this, Jesus made his disciples get back into the boat and head out across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray. During the night, the disciples were in their boat out in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning he came to them, walking on the water. He started to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they screamed in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. "It's all right," he said. "I am here! Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were astonished at what they saw. They still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the multiplied loaves, for their hearts were hard and they did not believe. (Mark 6:45-52 NLT).


Our reading this morning combines Jesus with his disciples in a small boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. It was during the evening hours and the wind had come up making the sea very rough for the small fishing boat. It was a wonderful opportunity for Jesus to instruct the disciples in his amazing grace and power.

 

They were so afraid that they might drown in the storm that when they saw Jesus waling out toward them on the water, they could only believe it was a ghost! Now they really were terrified! First at the storm, then at what they thought was a ghost. Jesus gets into the boat, speaks a couple of words, the winds die down, and everything is back to normal. The disciples are stunned. They simply couldn’t believe what they had witnessed. Jesus had amazed the disciples one more time! I have always wondered why they didn’t get it? They had seen so many miracles at the hands of Jesus. Just hours earlier they had seen him take five small loaves of bread and two fish and feed over five thousand people with plenty left over for lunch the next day! And, they still were amazed.

 

I must confess that no matter how many times I see the wonder of God’s work, I am still amazed. I think this constant amazement of the miracles of Jesus is designed to build our faith. The word "amazed" appears 37 times in reference to people’s reactions about Jesus. Really there’s no other way to put it. There isn’t another word to use as a descriptive for the work of God in the world.

 

It is true today. If we are seeking an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will be amazed. We will be amazed at the peace He provides; amazed at the joy He brings; amazed at the abundance He provides. If God is not amazing you anymore you may need to check your relationship to Him. He is an amazing God! Turn to him and be amazed again!