Let Him In, and He Gets You There

"Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." (John 6: 21)

In this verse, Jesus performs a miracle so subtle, that most people miss it.

First, some context.

Jesus had withdrawn from the larger number of disciples, because they had sought to turn Him into a king, by force (John 6: 15).

We do not make anyone king, but rather He seeks to make us kings and priests (Romans 5: 17; 1 Peter 2: 9)

Now, while Jesus was praying on a mountain, the disciples (at this time, more than the twelve), decided to set sail without Jesus.

In other words, they did bring the Living Word into their ship.

"16And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (John 6: 16-17)

Whenever we set out because we refuse to trust our Savior and rest in Him, we will find that our path gets dark and unclear, and we may even sense that He is not there with us or for us:

"18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew." (John 6: 18)

Winds speak of strange doctrine as well as fierce outer resistance:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4: 14)

The disciples rowed with all their might, and yet they got nowhere:

19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid." (John 6: 19)

John does not even give  precise number for how many miles, 25 or 30, that they rowed. The sea is not that big. Winds, distortions, frustrations all make it very difficult for us to get anywhere. This struggle is also a picture of man-centered efforts:

"For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." (Romans 7: 19)

What is the answer to this toil and struggle? Jesus!

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (Romans 8: 1, NIV)

As an example of this truth, the disciples were afraid, but they saw Jesus, and He spoke to them:

0But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid." (John 6: 20)

Jesus reminds us "I am!", and then comforts them with "Don't be afraid." He does not shame them for being afraid, for leaving instead of waiting for Him. He is above time and space, force and matter, and He comes to them.

Then they willing received into their ship, and immediately they got where they were headed.

After hours and miles of rowing, they let Jesus into their ship, and they go to where they were going.

Let Jesus into every situation of your life, for He is our life (Colossians 3: 4), and He will get you where you need to go.