A New Way Is Opened In The Headwind

(Mark 6:45-52 / Isaiah 43) Mari Ikeda

45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. 47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

A. Jesus does not leave the disciples alone straining at the oars in the headwind (Isaiah 43:16-19)

Isaiah 43:16-19
16 This is what the Lord says― he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

B. The new way Jesus opened

1. He was about to pass by? (Exodus 33:20-23)

20 …“you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

2. But He spoked to them and got into their boat

C. To know Jesus is the new way

1. “It is I” (Exodus 3:14a)

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”

2. “Don’t be afraid” (Isaiah 43:1-2)

1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

3. “See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:10-12)

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.

Summary

It is in adversity that we can renew our understanding of God’s glory and mercy, because His voice “I am with you” becomes real to us, when we are in distress and fear. God wants us to understand more about Him. Adversity is no longer adversity, if we decide ourselves to go through it with Jesus. It is also a chance to renew our relationship with God.

For Discussion

1) How can we overcome the headwind?
2) What is the new way Jesus opened?