Attitudes Determine Altitude
Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After He said good bye to them, He went away to the mountain to pray. when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. He saw them being battered as they rowed, because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning He came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. When they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought He was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, "Have courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:45-52
Why did Jesus want to pass by the disciples? Was He testing them? Was He trying to teach them something? Verse 52 tells us their hearts were hardened. When we harden our hearts we are needing a lesson.
Whenever I see a bad attitude, a hard heart in my staff I am aware that the Lord wants me to teach them something and I seek Him for the lesson. He teaches is the best way, there is always grace and compassion yet firm resolve. This is the way He is with us all.
The disciples had thought of Jesus as 'teacher', then they began to see the authority He had over demons, weather, illness, death. They had been anointed and sent out to preach, cleanse people of demons and heal the sick. They were now tired and over the people. They did not catch the miracle in the loaves and fishes because they had a bad attitude.
Ever planned a break and people turn up and spoil you day off or holiday, have you ever resented them, just a little? I think we all have. This is what the disciples had done. But what we fail to realise is, if we miss what God is doing through compassion and have a hard heart them we miss the greater, walking on water and calming the storm.
The Pharisees had hard hearts and failed to receive salvation.
It is never a good idea to harden our hearts, we lose. Jesus needed the disciples to soften up or they would be useless. We must be soft. Amen!
Why did Jesus want to pass by the disciples? Was He testing them? Was He trying to teach them something? Verse 52 tells us their hearts were hardened. When we harden our hearts we are needing a lesson.
Whenever I see a bad attitude, a hard heart in my staff I am aware that the Lord wants me to teach them something and I seek Him for the lesson. He teaches is the best way, there is always grace and compassion yet firm resolve. This is the way He is with us all.
The disciples had thought of Jesus as 'teacher', then they began to see the authority He had over demons, weather, illness, death. They had been anointed and sent out to preach, cleanse people of demons and heal the sick. They were now tired and over the people. They did not catch the miracle in the loaves and fishes because they had a bad attitude.
Ever planned a break and people turn up and spoil you day off or holiday, have you ever resented them, just a little? I think we all have. This is what the disciples had done. But what we fail to realise is, if we miss what God is doing through compassion and have a hard heart them we miss the greater, walking on water and calming the storm.
The Pharisees had hard hearts and failed to receive salvation.
It is never a good idea to harden our hearts, we lose. Jesus needed the disciples to soften up or they would be useless. We must be soft. Amen!
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