Storms

Q. Did Jesus deliberately send His friends into that storm? YES

The excitement of this miraculous multiplication of food (Mark 6:32-44) was a lesson for the 12 disciples. The storm was the test, the exam after the lesson.

Q. How often does the Lord teach us something and then test us to see if we learned it? That has often been the case in my Christian life.

1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

Be discerning. Sometimes we are caught in a storm because we have disobeyed the Lord. Jonah is a good example of that. But sometimes the storm comes because we have obeyed the Lord. Because we are learning and growing in our faith.

Jesus had the 12 feed the thousands...He would supply the miraculous, they would supply the feet. Possibly up to 15,000 men, women and children were fed. He told them to get into groups of 50, and groups of 100. That would have been 75 groups of 100 people, and 150 groups of 50 people. 225 groups of people spread out over the grassy hills. The 12 disciples carried baskets full of food to each of these groups. Then they collected 12 baskets full of leftovers. It's getting late...dark...and after eating yourself, what's the last thing you want to do? Ya, row across the sea again. That's probably why the Scripture says Jesus, "made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side" (Mark 6:45).

Well, that evening, He brought the wind against His disciples, and they're struggling out there. It's after 3 am before Jesus walks by them...on the water. THEY DO NOT PASS THE TEST.

Jesus gets into the boat...calms the sea, and gives them an "F" for failure...and fear.

After they see that He calms the wind, Scripture says, "And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened" (Mark 6:51-52).

Their hearts are hard. They cannot grasp who Jesus is in their everyday life. They can't simply trust Him in the storm.

THEY MUST LEARN AND PASS THIS TEST...SO MUST WE.