Kind of a Big Deal

Scripture: And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:51-52

Observation: At the end of what is probably the two most famous miracles of Jesus - the feeding of the 5,000 and the walking on the water - the disciples are astounded and confused. In other words, they still don't "get it". Up until now, they've been following Jesus, and they have seen dozens of miracles, but those have mostly fallen into the category of healings. This was the prophesized sign of the Messiah - the lame walk, the blind see, etc. Thousands of people were flocking to Jesus as a result, but mostly because they wanted something. And his closest follower still didn't understand.

However, the entire playing field just changed. Jesus is doing something new, and the disciples - people so in tune with Jesus that they themselves can now miraculously heal people - are awestruck. And here is what just changed: Jesus went from miracle worker, to God Incarnate by ... creating, and commanding creation.

Application: These two miracles have become so familiar as Sunday School kids tales, that I believe we have missed how HUGE these two events are. Jesus just created bread - literally, just "poof, here's a ton of bread" - and demonstrated total control over creation. These are powers that are the dominion of God ... God creates. In fact, man's physical science has proven that matter cannot be created, so it can only be done by God. And Jesus just did it.

I need to be awestruck by this!! Jesus wasn't a miracle worker, he was God among us. I don't want to miss the "real Jesus" by being passively familiar with the nice stories ... I want to worship Jesus as God, understanding the amazing gift of his life, presence, death, resurrection, and forgiveness.

Prayer: Lord, your plan is so amazing, so perfect, and so mysterious. May I never take Jesus for granted. And it isn't enough to simply be thankful for grace by faith in Jesus - I am thankful for the full plan, for your love that was so great you bankrupted heaven to have Jesus dwell on earth for a time. I celebrate his life, love, death, resurrection, and grace, as I love you, oh Lord. Amen.