Jesus had blessed five loaves and two fish. He broke them into pieces, and distributed some to each disciple. They were instructed to feed five thousand men plus the wives and children who had gathered to see Jesus.
We learn that after all had been fed that the disciples gathered the “leftovers.” They had twelve baskets of food. Jesus insisted the disciples get in the boat and cross the lake while he sent the multitude away and he went up into the hills to pray.
As the disciples cross the lake they encounter a storm. They struggled trying to navigate the waves and wind. They were very frightened. Then Jesus, aware of their trouble, came walking to them on the water.
Observation: They have spent the day as participants in a major miracle. Jesus healed many. Then took the meager offering of food and fed thousands! Is it possible the disciples have the twelve baskets of proof of the days miracles in the boat as reminders? Scripture says Jesus wanted them picked up so there was no waste. Yet they are fearful of the storm and “terrified” seeing Jesus walking on the water to them. They think they are seeing a ghost. Have you ever been in a storm? Sometimes we forget that we are not alone. We panic. Fear takes over and yes we are terrified of the outcome. Jesus where are you!!
We all have history of stormy nights with Jesus. We have memories of victories, healing, comfort in sorrow, moving mountains we thought would never move. We also have some times when the answer to our prayer was no, or maybe, but not now. Storms that brought fear and anxiety. Those memories are the “leftovers” from our own experience with Jesus. We have witnessed our own miracles when he came walking through our dark night and reached out for us.
When the next storm comes and it surely will, we can look to those leftover memories to remind us of the times Jesus called out to us, “Don’t be afraid, take courage. I am here!”
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 14:22-23 NLT Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
John 6:12-13 NLT After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.”
Mark 6:48-50 NLT He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”
PRAYER
Hello Father. Thank you for your love for us. For your mercy in the storms of life. For the evidence all through our lives that you know every storm we are in. That you are in the storm with us. Thank you for your word that teaches us how to move through this life unafraid. In Jesus’ name. Amen.