We read often of Jesus leaving the crowds, of seeking solitude, and at times it happened. But how often did He move on, yet throngs followed behind?
When He got into a boat with His disciples, leaving a crowd to cross the sea, other boats followed and went with Him. People followed wherever He went. It wasn't because He was attractive in any way, for Scripture tells us, "He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (Isa. 53:2).
People often followed because of His miracles, though some because of His teaching. As His closest disciples said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God" (Jn. 6:68-69).
Brethren, why are you following Jesus? Is it because you are seeking His miracles, what He can do for you? Or do you follow because of who He is, and because of what He has done for you?
No miracle can compare to that of being made a new creation in Him (2 Cor. 5:17). No sign can ever do more for you than God replacing your heart of stone with a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26) and His granting His Spirit to live within us (Ezek. 36:27; 1 Cor. 2:12; 1 Cor. 3:16).
When we are with Him, as the disciples were in the boat, and as were those who followed in other boats, He will calm our storms (Mk. 4:37-39) and give us peace (Isa. 26:3), a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).
Follow Him, believer, and do so for who He is - the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6), and know that we will reach our final destination unscathed with Him (Jn. 5:24).
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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions
Morning, September 14
"There were also with Him other little ships." Mark 4:36
Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and His presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though it be in a little ship. When we sail in Christ's company, we may not make sure of fair weather, for great storms may toss the vessel which carries the Lord Himself, and we must not expect to find the sea less boisterous around our little boat. If we go with Jesus we must be content to fare as He fares; and when the waves are rough to Him, they will be rough to us. It is by tempest and tossing that we shall come to land, as He did before us. When the storm swept over Galilee's dark lake all faces gathered blackness, and all hearts dreaded shipwreck.
When all creature help was useless, the slumbering Saviour arose, and with a word, transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep quiet of a calm; then were the little vessels at rest as well as that which carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea; and though there be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, their life-boat, and their harbour. His Church is the Admiral's flagship, let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with our presence. He Himself is the great attraction; let us follow ever in His wake, mark His signals, steer by His chart, and never fear while He is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall suffer wreck; the great Commodore will steer every barque in safety to the desired haven. By faith we will slip our cable for another day's cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. Winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey Him; and, therefore, whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a blessed calm within. He is ever in the centre of the weather-beaten company: let us rejoice in Him. His vessel has reached the haven, and so shall ours.
We read often of Jesus leaving the crowds, of seeking solitude, and at times it happened. But how often did He move on, yet throngs followed behind?
When He got into a boat with His disciples, leaving a crowd to cross the sea, other boats followed and went with Him. People followed wherever He went. It wasn't because He was attractive in any way, for Scripture tells us, "He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (Isa. 53:2).
People often followed because of His miracles, though some because of His teaching. As His closest disciples said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God" (Jn. 6:68-69).
Brethren, why are you following Jesus? Is it because you are seeking His miracles, what He can do for you? Or do you follow because of who He is, and because of what He has done for you?
No miracle can compare to that of being made a new creation in Him (2 Cor. 5:17). No sign can ever do more for you than God replacing your heart of stone with a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26) and His granting His Spirit to live within us (Ezek. 36:27; 1 Cor. 2:12; 1 Cor. 3:16).
When we are with Him, as the disciples were in the boat, and as were those who followed in other boats, He will calm our storms (Mk. 4:37-39) and give us peace (Isa. 26:3), a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).
Follow Him, believer, and do so for who He is - the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6), and know that we will reach our final destination unscathed with Him (Jn. 5:24).
------------
Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions
Morning, September 14
"There were also with Him other little ships." Mark 4:36
Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and His presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though it be in a little ship. When we sail in Christ's company, we may not make sure of fair weather, for great storms may toss the vessel which carries the Lord Himself, and we must not expect to find the sea less boisterous around our little boat. If we go with Jesus we must be content to fare as He fares; and when the waves are rough to Him, they will be rough to us. It is by tempest and tossing that we shall come to land, as He did before us. When the storm swept over Galilee's dark lake all faces gathered blackness, and all hearts dreaded shipwreck.
When all creature help was useless, the slumbering Saviour arose, and with a word, transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep quiet of a calm; then were the little vessels at rest as well as that which carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea; and though there be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, their life-boat, and their harbour. His Church is the Admiral's flagship, let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with our presence. He Himself is the great attraction; let us follow ever in His wake, mark His signals, steer by His chart, and never fear while He is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall suffer wreck; the great Commodore will steer every barque in safety to the desired haven. By faith we will slip our cable for another day's cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. Winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey Him; and, therefore, whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a blessed calm within. He is ever in the centre of the weather-beaten company: let us rejoice in Him. His vessel has reached the haven, and so shall ours.
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