A New Thing

Mar 6:45-50(45) And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away.(46) And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray.(47) And when even was come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.(48) And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them:(49) but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;(50) for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he straightway spake with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

It's really not news anymore that Jesus is willing to do a new thing. It's not only about what He has done, it's what He is doing and what He will do. Viewed in that light, does it not seem silly to only celebrate past moves of God?

The disciples were perhaps the greatest Christians to ever live - by our standards. They walked with him, literally. They knew His teachings, they watched the miracles, and they were used to many of His ways. Then Jesus shows up walking on the water - doing a new thing. They freaked. They were not used to it, and they were highly uncomfortable.

There's the lesson. It was His voice, though, that rang out reassurance. They knew His voice. Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice." Even if God decides to do something different in our midst, we can still be reassured by His voice. Maybe that's why so many congregations refuse a new thing. They aren't His sheep, and they do not recognize the voice.