Mark 6:45
“Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.”
BEREAN.AI
Title: Sent to the Other Side
Scripture: Mark 6:45
Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side. This wasn't a suggestion. He compelled them. The disciples had just witnessed the feeding of the five thousand, and the crowds wanted to make Jesus king by force. The disciples were likely caught up in the excitement, ready for the revolution to begin. But Jesus had other plans.
The other side meant Bethsaida, a Gentile region. The disciples, good Jewish men, would rather stay on familiar ground where they were comfortable. But Jesus deliberately sends them into unfamiliar territory. He sends them away from the crowds, away from their expectations, away from what they thought the Messiah should be doing. Sometimes following Jesus means going where we'd rather not go.
The sea of Galilee was known for sudden storms. These fishermen knew its moods well. Yet Jesus sends them into potential danger while he stays behind to pray. This seems backwards to our thinking. Shouldn't the shepherd stay with his sheep? But Jesus knows exactly what he's doing. He knows the storm is coming. He knows they will struggle. And he knows they need to learn to trust him in the dark.
We often think the Christian life should be smooth sailing once we follow Jesus. But here we see Jesus intentionally sending his people into difficulty. He doesn't promise ease. He promises his presence, but not always when we expect it. The disciples would row for hours against the wind, straining at the oars, wondering where their Lord had gone. Many of us know that feeling.
The Christian life includes nights of rowing against the wind. Jesus sends us into places that make us uncomfortable, among people not like us, through waters that threaten to swamp our boats. But he never sends us alone. He sees us from the mountain where he prays. He knows exactly where we are and what we're facing. The same Jesus who compelled them to go will soon come walking on the water to meet them.
When you find yourself in rough waters, remember you were sent there by Jesus. He hasn't forgotten you. He hasn't made a mistake. He's teaching you to depend on him in ways you never would on calm seas. The other side is coming, but first we must learn who Jesus is in the storm.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive us when we resist going where you send us. Help us trust that you know exactly what you're doing when you place us in difficult places. Teach us to see your hand even in the rowing. Amen.
