A Natural Stage

Jesus is the God of nature. Although Satan was identified as god of this world (II Cor. 4:4), Jesus is God with a capital G. He created the earth (Jn. 1:3), and after His death of the cross, all authority was given unto Him. (Mt. 28:18)

During His earthly ministry, Jesus utilized His creation as a source of illustrations when He told parables and when He alluded to natural phemenon. Jesus also used His creation as a backdrop for ministry. Mark 4:1a says, And again He began to teach by the seas. (NKJV)

Can you picture the setting? The Sea of Galilee was a natural stage. Mark tells us that when a great multitude was gathered . . . He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the seas.”(M,. 4:1b)

The Sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake nestled in mountains. It is the sea Jesus walked upon, the sea where He stilled the water during a storm, the sea that obeyed Him by releasing fish into His disciples nets. When the people settled themselves by its shore, Then He taught them many things. (v. 2)

Originally published August 3, 1990.
Picture: Wild berries along Hwy. 2, Idaho, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

The People Questioned Jesus

Multitudes sought Jesus during His early ministry. When Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee, the people followed, supposedly wanting more and more of whatever He had to offer. But their specific focus was food. Jesus said, you seek me not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes. . . . (Jn. 6:26,27 NKJV)

Then the people questioned Jesus. They referred to God’s miraculous provision during the forty years in the Wilderness by quoting Scriptures from Exodus. They spoke as though they were trying determine if Jesus was a leader like Moses. In their conversation, they revealed their true interest when they continued to focus on food or physical provision.

Jesus understood physical needs, He met people’s needs regularly. But here He changed the focus from physical food to spiritual truth. He emphasized that manna didn’t come from Moses but from God. And He said of Himself, the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. (v. 33)

Originally published February 22, 1991.

They Were Afraid

The Bible says, There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. . . . (I Jn. 4:18b NKJV)

Such love cannot be natural. We love, but not to the depth of becoming perfect. We love, but not to the point of no longer fearing. Jesus is the only man who ever walked in perfect love.

However, people who follow Jesus can draw from His love when they experience His intervention. One night the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee without Him when they encountered a fierce storm. After expending themselves to the point of exhaustion while rowing several miles in the dark, they saw Jesus in the distance. He was walking on water as He moved toward them, and they were afraid. (Jn. 6:19)

Jesus understood their fear and He let them know who He was as He continued to draw closer and closer. “It is I,” he said; “do not be afraid.” (v. 20) Evenwhile walking on the water’s surface, He broke the power of their fear. Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. (v. 21)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Tim. 1:7)

Originally published September 15, 1989.