Category: Faith

When You Do What Jesus Wills

On By TimIn Faith, Mark 06Leave a comment

Immediately He compelled His disciples to get into the boat and to go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the crowd away. When He had sent them away, He departed to a mountain to pray.

Mark 6:45–46

Most people are familiar with this passage. It is one of the accounts of when Jesus walks on the water. As always, there is far more here than just Jesus walking on the water.

For context, Jesus has just finished feeding the 5,000 in the wilderness. He took a humble lunch and made a feast for all there. When finished, the fragments left over filled twelve baskets.

This multitude is being drawn to Jesus. Because they were following Him into the wilderness, there was no place for so many people to lodge. From the synoptic Gospel accounts, we know there was another compelling reason for what Jesus did next. But that’s for the reader to dig out. He put His disciples in the boat, probably the same boat they took to the remote place. Jesus also sent the multitude away. Then He went away alone, to pray.

The idea from the text is that the disciples were going ahead to Bethsaida. The plan was for them to meet Jesus there. With the synoptic accounts there is some controversy of the exact origin of the trip and the eventual destiny. Delving into that is for another post.

With all of that, keep in mind that the Sea of Galilee is about 13 miles at its widest, and this trip is probably not even half that distance. It is also important to notice that this all occurred toward the late afternoon. Why would Jesus send them on the lake to cross in darkness?

I think that the trip is much shorter than our modern minds envision. This is a lake of some size, but the boat trip should not have taken that long. I would think they would need lodging for the night. Which adds significance to the account.

When evening came, the boat was in the midst of the sea. And He was alone on the land.

Mark 6:47

Now, evening arrived and the boat was already out. Jesus was alone.

He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea and would have passed by them.

Mark 6:48

Jesus saw them. Which means they probably had not moved all that far away from Him. He saw that the rowing was difficult and a strong wind was against them. Then at around 3:00 AM, Jesus set out toward them.

If you’re counting, that is over nine hours in a boat that is probably about 30 feet long. They weren’t using wind power, but were rowing.

We know the way the Sea of Galilee is situated, violent storms are not uncommon even today. There are some things here that tend to offer the idea that this is not just some storm. There seem to be some supernatural characteristics. Pay attention to the details and see if there are any hints to that.

But 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.

Mark 6:49–50a

I think this is the first clue that makes one want to reread the text. Perhaps to really grasp the reality in the account. First, that there may be some spiritual shenanigans at play. No, not just Jesus walking on water. This storm had been besetting this boat for quite some time. The disciples on their own were not getting anywhere.

Think about what they had just witnessed in that lunch setting. These men participated in something supernatural with Jesus. He fed a massive amount of people from a boy’s modest lunch. When Jesus began distributing the food, they took it from Jesus and gave it to the multitudes of people. If in that situation, would you not marvel at such a thing?

Now they were doing what Jesus wanted them to do. There was massive resistance to that. In their own strength they made no advance. Perhaps there is a hardness of the heart issue at play and they didn’t recognize Jesus. All of their attention would be put toward self-preservation. That’s great, now a ghost comes walking by on the water.

Immediately He spoke to the them and said, “Be of good cheer, it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Mark 6:50b

Relief! It’s Jesus.

I think there are some spiritual aspects to this storm. It was a challenge to their faith. I don’t think it was a test given to them by Jesus. I think this was the enemy trying to forestall the effect these men would have on the world.

I also look at the way Jesus greeted them. It makes me think of how the many Theophanies in the Tanakh went down.

There is a real connection with the Exodus, especially with Moses and the Israelis at the Red Sea. God proved Himself as Master over the pagan storm gods of old. This storm god took many different identities in the pantheons of the pagans. To the people in Mesopotamia and surrounds, he is Baal, This storm god is Kronos to the Greeks, and Saturn to the Romans. At the Red Sea, God defeated the storm god.

Surprisingly, right before God parted the Red Sea, Moses says to them to not be afraid. Just as Jesus did here. Moses also told the Israelis to see the salvation of the Lord. Literally, the Hebrew for salvation is yeshua. Moses would have said see yeshua Yehovah. That is, see Jesus Jehovah. Moses lifts his rod and the sea parts revealing the salvation God had for them. The Israelis were sent into it to cross to the other side.

In like manner, Jesus is walking on the very thing to cause the tempest that troubled His friends. The sea He called them to go in.

Jesus identifies Himself in the same way He did to Moses. I am. That is literally what the Greek says here. Your translations may say, “I am He.” Italics in translation generally mean a word is inserted to make the original make sense in the new.

I find it rather comforting that the fear not tends to go with the “I am.” I think that is the lesson here. How many times did Godnuse the same reassurance in the Tanakh?

“Don’t be afraid.”

These two phrases are identifiers. Ones which the disciples would know. But at that time, they didn’t.

Then He went up to them in the boat and the wind ceased. They were greatly astonished in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Mark 6:51

They wondered indeed. Who is this that instantly stops the tempest?

For they had not comprehended the miracle of the loaves, for their hearts were hardened.

Mark 6:52

Who is this that feeds over 5,000 souls with a boy’s lunch?

Didn’t we collected 12 baskets full of leftovers?

Perhaps it was their immediate circumstances that blinded them. I mean, they went by faith. I know the text says they were compelled. But they had to cooperate to get in the boat. They were doing His will.

This event is part of a greater narrative.

I am particularly drawn to what happened after this account. It is on another Gospel; John chapter 6. This is where Jesus states many times, “I am.” He is speaking that to the same multitude He sent away before the storm.

The next morning after being sent away, they went to look for Jesus. He was not to be found. They knew He arrived by boat with His disciples. Now that boat was gone. They went to nearby places to find boats. If Jesus didn’t get on the only boat with the disciples, where do Jesus go?

And why would they go to Capernaum to find Him?

I mean there were no other boats for Jesus to use. Were they really that oblivious to the supernatural aspects of which they’ve been a part?

They found boats to take them, with the intent to meet Jesus on the other side. That is, Bethsaida of Galilee.

What was that lesson again?

As the multitude found Jesus and His disciples, they asked Jesus how He got to Capernaum. Without hesitation, Jesus goes right to the heart of the issue. Even partaking of a miracle, the hardness of their heart kept them from recognizing the obvious.

He spoke many things to this multitude. Even explaining to them that they had been drawn to Him by the Father. But the familiar things they knew should have revealed the truth in their minds. It is that obvious. Instead of believing, they became even more hardened in heart. So much so that they finally went away.

His disciples were also troubled… Even after they saw Him feed the multitude. They gathered twelve baskets left over. They saw Him walk on water and instantly stop the storm. Now He says we have to eat His body and drink His flesh?

Gross. This is hard to understand.

Knowing in Himself that His disciples murmured about it, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him. Then He said, “For this reason I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it were given him by My Father.”
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.
So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 6:60–69

The idea is far more than just coming to know Jesus is the miracle working Son of the Living God. He is the Living God. He proved in not only by what He said, but by matching what He said with what He did.

So what is the lesson of the loaves?

Well, that multitude had been fed so well, and so satisfyingly in a way most probably had never experienced. So they sought the physical experience with the miracle, not the spiritual one.

To the disciples, it was probably the same thing. Even though they also collected a basket of leftovers sufficient for each of them. They missed the lesson that with Jesus, there is more than just what you will need physically to be satisfied.

The Lesson

The disciples knew Who Jesus is. They set out by faith to do what He wanted them to do. But there was supernatural opposition that arose. They tried to overcome that by their own abilities… Rowing harder. I’m certain it was exhausting.

But they didn’t see fit to seek the very real God in the midst of that. Jesus had gone off alone to do that. Even He need it.

Though alone with God, Jesus saw them struggle. He was willing to help. So much so, that He went to them. They didn’t recognize Him at first, until He spoke up. Once they came to their senses, the horrible situation was gone.

You can know God and Jesus. Is not enough just to know. You need to believe. When Jesus says, “I am He.” That is, “I am Jehovah.” Our belief in that is the only thing that saves.

I think the disciples had to grow in faith as we do.

If you’re doing what Jesus wants you to do, even in the midst of some really powerful situations that come against that, there is not just enough to meet the immediate physical need. There is more than enough for all needs readily available in Him.

We have to consume Him. That is, make what we know about Him part of us. He must be in us. His body is broken and now bread. His blood was shed and is now wine. Bread satisfies and sustains life. Wine refreshes and makes life joyful. It’s an intimate fellowship for eternity.

Know that He watches and sees.

Know Him intimately.

Be ready when He comes.

The Demons Believe and Tremble

On By TimIn Faith, James 02Leave a comment

You believe that there is one God; you do well. The demons also believe and tremble.

James 2:19

This is one of those often misunderstood and misapplied verses of the Bible. This is just like the misused idea from the epistle in Revelation 3 where Jesus likens the Church of Laeodicia as lukewarm. There are many that shame and browbeat believers with it. The same idea is true with this matriculate verse in James 2.

It is employed by some as a sort of proof that salvation doesn’t come by belief, when it isn’t speaking to that at all. Some use it to scare believers with loss of salvation. Others use it to shame believers they think haven’t repented in the right way.

None of those things apply in this verse. There is significant reason to demonstrate that.

First, demons have no Kinsman and no Redeemer. They are not eligible for salvation in any way. Their belief has nothing to do with salvation, because they can’t get that. Therefore, salvation isn’t in mind here at all.

Second, the ‘good works’ a demon does earn no merit. But then, demons don’t really do good works, so… A demon’s faith doesn’t lead to good behavior, either.

The importance of what James is saying is an exhortation. Your faith can save you and lead to good things. It is good that it does. James is encouraging believers to do good things.

He is not shaming them for the wrong kind of faith… As this is almost always applied.

But those demons believe and tremble… Why?

Well, as said before… Demons have no Kinsman nor Redeemer. Salvation isn’t for them. Their rebellion has sealed their fate, as sure as Jesus rose again. They know their end in perdition comes quickly.

But a believer’s doesn’t… Ever. On the other hand, an unbeliever will ultimately get the same end as a demon, unless they change their mind.

Don’t fall for the subtle Galatian heresy that one has to do good works commensurate with the law to be saved.

Tassels on Garments

On By TimIn Faith, Numbers 151 Comment

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them to make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout the generations to come, and they will put a ribbon of blue on the corners of their garments. And it will be for you a tassel, and you will see it, and you will remember all the commandments of the Lord, and you will do them, and you will not follow the lust of your own heart and your own eyes. So shall you remember and do all My commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.

Numbers 15:37–41

Living in South Florida offers a chance to encounter Jewish folk regularly. Some of the men wear tassels on their garments. They are whimsically visible, drawing some attention. They serve a designated purpose.

The tassels are white and blue. It is a specific blue color called tekhelet in Hebrew. At the giving of the law, it was a very rare color dye. It was expensive being derived from a specific marine creature. These tassels are called tzitzit which means fringes in English. These tzitzit are attached to the corners of the garment. Corner is the English translation of the Hebrew word kanaph. This is how covering or being under the law enters. Kanaph is related to the protection of a covering. Think like the Psalmist did using a related word, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall find protection” (Psalm 91:4.)

The significance of wearing tzitzit is to identify oneself as being under the Jewish Law (keeping Torah.) The four tzitzit encircled the body and would be easy to identify from any direction, even when behind the person.

The Significance of the Fringes

The men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘I am giving your enemy into your hand. You may do with him as seems good in your eyes.’ ” Then David arose and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

1 Samuel 24:4

To many of us, we would not understand the significance of such a thing. The next verse offers a clue as to the importance of what David did.

Afterward David’s heart troubled him because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him. For he is anointed of the Lord.” So David dispersed his men by these words and did not let them rise against Saul. And Saul arose from the cave and went on his way.

1 Samuel 24:5–7

David’s heart troubled him because he cut off the corner—the kanaph. David still honored Saul as God’s chosen king. Yet what he did troubled him. David had cut off Saul’s covering, his protection.

David arose afterward and went out from the cave. And he called after Saul saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David had bowed down with his face to the ground and paid homage. David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men saying, ‘David seeks your harm’? This day you have seen with your own eyes that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave. So that some said to kill you, but my eye had compassion on you. And I said, ‘I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is anointed of the Lord.’ See, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand. Indeed, I cut off the corner of your robe, but I did not kill you. Observe and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hand. I have not sinned against you, but you are lying in wait for my life to take it.
The Lord will judge between me and you, and the Lord will avenge me on you, but my hand will not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness,’ but my hand will not be against you.

1 Samuel 24:8–13

David showed Saul that he had no evil intent toward him. By showing the corner of the garment it would prove Saul’s vulnerability. It also shows that David will not avenge himself.

The unspoken significance, and one we would probably miss… This was a visible demonstration that Saul was no longer keeping Torah. He was operating outside of the law and outside of the covering of God. In other words, Saul would practically know that God’s hand is now against him.

When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. And he said to David, “You are more righteous than I. For you have rewarded me with good, while I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown today that you have dealt well with me, when the Lord delivered me into your hand and you did not kill me.
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him safely go away? Therefore may the Lord reward you well for what you have done for me this day. Now, listen, I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. Therefore swear to me now by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s household.”

1 Samuel 24:16–21

Saul testifies in his own words what the missing corner signified.

Fringes of Jesus

Now consider what happens in the Gospels when we find Jesus on the way to Jairus’ home, there is an encounter we all know well. As people pushed in on and crowded after Jesus on the way…

And a woman having a hemorrhage for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, but could not be healed by anyone, came behind Him, and touched the fringe of His garment. And immediately her hemorrhage dried up.
Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When everyone denied it, Peter and those who were with Him said, “Master, the crowds are pressing against You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
But Jesus said, “Someone touched Me, for I perceive that power has gone out from Me.”
When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling. And falling down before Him, she declared to Him before all the people why she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. Then He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Luke 8:43–48

Did you catch what part of the garment the women touched?

Luke is the only account to provide this small detail. She touched the fringe of His garment. Perhaps it was the only thing she could reach. Mark’s Gospel provides another detail.

For she said, “If I may touch His garments, I shall be healed.”

Mark 5:28

We see her mindset. She believed if she touched His garment she would be healed. Maybe there is just a bit more going on.

The woman is most likely Jewish by the reference that Jesus called her daughter. But, how did she know if she touched His garments healing would come?

It’s that word kanaph. It is translated as corner in some places in the Tanakh. In others it connotes wings… Which are kind of fringy with the feathers. This woman probably knew the Tanakh well. She would know something we might not get because of the way translating works.

Healing in What?

But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. You will go out and grow up like calves from the stall.

Malachi 4:2

These are among the last words of God to Israel before the advent of Jesus. The book of Malachi is prophecy of the last days that would include the coming of the Messiah. Over a century had passed since Malachi wrote these words and when Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem.

I’m certain you may see the significance in the text. (I dropped the hint.) The woman with the hemorrhage knew the significance of the kanaph. Read it like this: the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its fringes. Sun of Righteousness is considered a messianic title. And Jesus being born under the law would most certainly have tzitzit on the kanaph of His garments. The same tzitzit (fringe) she touched.

Do Not Fear Them

On By TimIn Do Not Fear, Faith, Numbers 14Leave a comment

If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land because they are bread for us. Their defense is gone from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.

Numbers 14:8–9

Musings from my hammock, literally. I am pondering Psalm 95 and the way it connects to different things. Hebrews 3 cites it, and it points to Numbers 14 and other things.

Significantly, the lessons provided to us is that unbelief exists in juxtaposition of all the works of God around us. Inexplicably, people still deny Him.

As the Day Leads

It reminds me of a small conversation with an atheist this morning. He demanded extraordinary evidence for the extraordinary claim that God is. I told him that his question is the extraordinary evidence he wanted, because he first posits the idea of God to then deny.

It was like that for these Israelis who had left Egypt. Some wanted to choose a leader and go back to Egypt. That aside has significance because in the account, it doesn’t happen. God’s great work of Israel’s salvation from Egypt is not to be undone. Even by those who God had already saved.

Yet these rebels grieved God. He graciously let some live for 40 years witnessing His workings as he provided for them. It’s fascinating to see the patience of God, even when He is grieved by those He graciously saved.

The encouragement is to believe in God and to keep believing in God. First, believe in Him to be saved. Then continue to trust in Him enough to enter the place of rest. That is the place to serve God. You cannot do it without faith. Read that last verse of Hebrews 3… One needs belief to be saved, and one needs belief to serve God.

So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.

Hebrews 3:19

Bread for Us

There is that phrase “they are bread for us.” I don’t think that the Canaanites will be literal food, per se. But it is a play on the words of the testimony of the naysayers… The ones that saw God’s great works and succumbed to fear in disbelief.

They gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.

Numbers 13:32

Now, I think their report is real, in that there were real giants. I also believe that those giants did indeed devour the inhabitants literally. I do think that is a reality that is scattered through the Bible and litters the recesses of history.. This is the reality to which Joshua and Caleb are testifying. God is going to overturn those who beset Adam’s race and this is gloriously pictured in this planned conquest of Canaan.

It is a lesson for us today. Like them, we need to believe He is with us.

The Wandering in Sin

As it goes, many of those didn’t believe. They wandered and died. Even Moses grieved God and didn’t enter the Promised Land.

This is still the same struggle for many of us. We wander in a wilderness of sin, never getting to the point in our walk where we serve God.

Does this grieve Him?

Yes.

Does it mean the believer loses salvation?

I don’t think so. The Bible is clear…

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4 (MEV):

It is the riches of God demonstrated in His patience with each of us. Read that again, it’s His perfect patience. If you find yourself wandering in the wilderness of sin, turn around. God is good, patiently waiting on you.

An Odd Aside

There is an old English rhyme most of us know. It comes into the conversation…

Fee-fi-fo-fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman,
Be he alive, or be he dead
I’ll grind his bones to make my bread.

That first line is ancient Gaelic that means behold, food, good-to-eat, sufficient. It attests to the witness of Joshua and Caleb, that the land is plentiful and blessed.

It’s also a nod back to the giants who devoured the human inhabitants of the land. That is a grisly reality that has existed from the Golden Age. It was the time before the flood when the gods lived with man. And they took what they wanted. The grim realities of that age have always been with us. They are handed down in lore. They exist to remind us.

Though the powers-that-be work to rush us all into a new Golden Age. Yes, the even plan to have gods living among humans. Remember, it is God who has already defeated the giants. And we can be assured He is with us now. There is nothing to fear as we enter that Promised Land of rest and service!

On this Thanksgiving Day, praise God for all He has done. His work has been finished since the seventh day when He rested from all of His work.