July
23, 2006 am The Cross Over
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
By
Ronald E. George Jr. at the
The night that Denny walked on water.
In the ancient world of the Bible, river crossings were much more difficult than they are today. Today we cross rivers and lakes without even realizing it by gliding across on a bridge. Could you imagine crossing over by walking on the water as Jesus does in Mark 6? I saw someone walk on water on a weekend camping trip with my father and our neighbor and his son, Denny
One year my Dad and I were fishing and camping with our neighbor and his son Denny. That evening as it grew dark we were fishing on one side of the Anthony creek and Denny being the older son was on the other side of the water fishing. . I remember we were having an excellent time fishing and enjoying the evening down along the rivers edge catching small mouth bass.
As the sky grew dark we heard a sound that would have curdled your blood. A horrible scream came from the woods behind Denny. We never saw the source of that scream but we weren’t asking any questions. As soon as that scream let out Denny began to walk on the water as he crossed over to our side of the stream. He ran as fast as any human being I have ever witnessed. He crossed over in a hurry.
We still don’t know what caused that horrible sound but we will never forget the day that Denny walked on the water. Have you ever crossed over? Many people in the scriptures crossed over the water.
Scripture Text:
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
30
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done
and taught. 31
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even
have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a
quiet place and get some rest." 32
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
33 But many who saw them
leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead
of them. 34
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many
things. …
53
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there.
54 As soon as they got out of
the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55
They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to
wherever they heard he was. 56
And wherever he went--into villages, towns or countryside--they placed
the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of
his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
·
Cross over from one side to
the other. Crossing over
represents a change has taken place. It
represents an obstacle has been overcome. It
says that a decision has been made. It
shows a change in position and place. The
person has moved on.
·
Cross over to be healed and
fed by the Lord. Many crossed
over in the days of the Lord to see him, meet him, healed by him, and fed by
him. He had all that they needed and
they were determined to find him and go to him.
They believed in Him. So, the
people came.
·
Cross over from healed to
healer. The disciples crossed
over in their personal growth. They
were the ones who were helped by the Lord, but in this passage they become the
ones who are helping others. Jesus
chose the disciples to become learners of him now they are the ones who are
going out. They are crossing over.
Have you crossed over in your life to becoming a helper.
·
Cross over from caring only
for others to caring for yourself as well. This
is a place of healing, rest, and restoration for your life. Jesus taught the
disciples that to be the helpers he wanted them to be that they had to care for
themselves as well. They had to
cross over to not only care for others but to also care for themselves.
They were to take care so that they could take care of others.
·
Cross over from being
taught to becoming the teacher. Jesus
taught the disciples then he sent them out to teach.
They crossed over from being the students to being the teachers.
He showed them the way then he challenged them to step out and go out to
share what they had learned. They
were crossing over. Have you?
· Cross over from being tossed about by so many beliefs and waves of the sea to being anchored in the Lord and in your faith in him and who he has called you to be. Once they got to were the Lord wanted them to go they anchored the boat and got out on the shore where the people were. Many folks never arrive in their spiritual lives so that they are constantly being tossed since they have never arrived then they have never got off the boat or anchored their lives. Cross over and drop anchor where God wants you to be. This is it for now. This is where God wants you to be. Cross over and get off of the boat.
· Cross over from calling out for help to being the one who brings others. Cross over to become involved in the lives of those who need a healing touch.
Those who were sick called out to
help for their friends and family to help them to get to Jesus.
They needed the healing touch of the master’s hand.
Their friends brought them to the master.
Have you crossed over to become the one who is helping from one who is
being helped.
· Cross over from hearing about the Lord to having faith in Him and being healed by His touch. It says that all where healed. If you have been healed then would you be the one to give a lift to another. Would you cross over today?
· Cross over to experiencing the presence of the Lord in your life.
Yes, but how? You must take the first step. This is your decision to cross. Get in the boat and let the Lord calm the approaching storms. Let him take you over. Believe in Him and pick up your cross and follow him. Cross over by faith in the Lord. Cross over and go with the Lord in your life today. Drop anchor and take off in the Lord. Get on the shore where the people are and get to work. Care for yourself and for the others that God has brought into your life. Step out today.