Page 29 - Back to Bethlehem 2-5-19

lesson of the loaves. Though it doesn’t feel like much and it
doesn’t look like much, if I keep coming back to Jesus, at the
end of the day I will see that I had more than enough for me and
thousands like me. That’s the lesson.

They didn’t call on the Lord when they were rowing. They
didn’t talk to one another and say, “We better not fail this test.”
I don’t even think they were thinking about the miracle of the
loaves. They were self-conscious. They are storm conscious.
They are thinking about their circumstance. They aren’t
thinking, “Oh, we’ve got to remember what He taught us when
He fed five thousand people.”

I think when the Bible says, “They are struggling at the oars,” I
think that is more than sore muscles. It’s more than sore arms.
Spiritually speaking, it’s frustrating that you can’t obey God.
They are weary and tired and defeated and maybe they are even
despairing. A Christian attempting to obey God in His own
strength will experience that kind of frustration; defeat and
failure. “I tried and I can’t. I want to obey and I can’t.”

Every command in this book is impossible. “Husbands love
your wives as Christ loved the church.” I say, “I can’t unless I
go to Jesus.” “Rejoice evermore. In everything and for
everything give thanks.” “Love your enemy.” “Pray for those
who curse you.” “Go the second mile.” “Be perfect as your
Father in heaven is perfect.” I say, “I can’t without Jesus.”
“Stretch forth your withered hand.” The man with the withered
hand said, “I can’t because it’s withered.” “Take up your bed
and walk.” The crippled man said, “I can’t. I’m crippled.”
“Lazarus, come forth.” Lazarus said, “I can’t. I’m dead.” With
every command we need to keep coming to the Lord. So, they
were struggling at the oars. That’s looking at Jesus on the
mountain while He’s praying.

I told you that the second one was Jesus walking on the water
but it will make more sense to you if I do the third one now.
John 6:20&21, “But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’