JESUS’ 2ND MOST STRESSFUL DAY
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
ANTS when little, have to be one to help them
Heb 2:17-18 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Heb 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
I. DEMANDS ON JESUS
A. SORROW
Hears about death of John the Baptist
Matthew 14:3-12
John = cousin, common commitment, understand Jesus best
Imagine losing person who knows you better than anyone
what if your dearest friend just murdered ?
B. DANGER
What happened to him would happen to Jesus
Herod making attempt to get Jesus right away – “Herod tried to see Jesus” Lk 9:9
Before able to handle this about John another interruption!
Disciples, who had been sent out on mission, returned
C. EXCITEMENT
Mark 6:30 (sent out v 12) Imagine the excitement!!!
Peter describing lame man he healed
John telling of a crowd he taught
Andrew reporting deliverance of an epileptic
Matthew talking @ healing of a blind woman
James telling @ crowds that followed them
Conflicting emotions in Jesus
SORROW over John, anger to self
JOY over their excitement
Another interruption!
D. BEDLAM
Many people coming, no chance to even eat Mk 6:31a
Jesus retreated, withdrew
prioritized, dropped the good for the best
didn’t push to get it all done
made quick decisions @ what mattered most
disciples’ needs came first (family)
E. CONFUSION
Mark 6:31-32
Great opportunity to preach, teach, heal!
Needs to get away for disciples, Doesn’t try to do it all! Lets needs unmet!!!
Us: must often say NO to outside needs, activities
Jesus: Given up is His rest alone, handling death of John
Puts that on HOLD temporarily, trusting God w/ it
Now just trying to meet needs of disciples first
They can’t wait, trust God as He, etc.
Sail boat across Sea of Galilee
See Tiberias built by Herod, reminder of John’s death
F. DEMANDS
People went there on foot Mark 6:33-34
5,000 men = 25,000 people! – Swarming, pressing, shouting, etc.
Surprise! 6-mile walk and people came!
No time for Jesus’ own needs!
No quiet time with disciples, debriefing, campfire
SUMMARY (Jesus knows how you feel!)
Jesus, in one day, faced:
Sorrow (John died)
Danger (Herod after Him)
Excitement (disciples’ successful return)
Bedlam (people follow disciples, crowd them)
Distraction (having to sail across Sea of Galilee)
Demands (people awaiting Jesus there)
II. JESUS HANDLES STRESS
A. DISCIPLES HANDLE STRESS
1. DISCIPLES’ SUGGESTION: Send Them Away
Matthew 14:15
2. JESUS’ TEST: Meet Their Needs
Feed them Matthew 14:16)
TEST for them: “Do it again!”
-Just came back from tour seeing miracles done
-Now have faith for more miracles to be done again
3. DISCIPLES’ RESPONSE: Insufficient Resources
Response from the disciples?
Tried to meet the problem with their own resources:
Patience for stressful people – Food hungry people
Couldn’t do it with own resources
-Not enough food there to distribute
(5 loaves, 2 fish Matthew 14:17)
-Not enough $ to buy food (8 months wages, Mk 6:37)
B. JESUS HANDLE STRESS
1. JESUS’ TEST: own limits pushed
HE FACED: -all above (top of page)
-disciples no help, make matters worse
No one asked how Jesus was doing (Jesus knows)
People more concerned with GETTING than GIVING
2. JESUS’ RESPONSE: Compassion
HIS RESPONSE
NOT anger, self pity, try to do it all Himself
BUT paused in the midst of it all to offer prayer of thanks
HOW HAVE SUCH MATURE ATTITUDE?
LOVE for them above love for self! Mark 6:33-34; Mt 14:14
III. LISTENING TO ADVICE
A. VOICES THEN
1. CROWD OF PEOPLE
People want to make Him king John 6:14
No cross, no suffering, no sacrifice
Army of disciples at his fingertips
Jesus could have marched His army against Herod and avenged the death of John!
2. DISCIPLES
Send them away! Matthew 14:15
1. MAJORITY of people – crowds around Him
2. CLOSE TO HIM – disciples, best friends
Jesus ALONE against both! (knows how you feel)
PLUS advice they were giving was EASIEST way!
3. VOICES JESUS LISTENED TO
“Jesus withdrew again into hills by Himself.” John 6:15
Preferred to be alone with God
NEEDED to be alone with God or may have been swayed!
Crowd too appealing, easy, quick, tempting!
B. VOICES NOW
1. VOICES WE LISTEN TO (Jesus knows)
Others who give advice, easy way, tempting, please them
2. VOICES WE SHOULD LISTEN TO
Get alone and listen to God
HOW TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE
1. What we listen for – still, small voice
ELIJAH: wind, fire, earthquake
2. How we listen – block all out, attentively, focus only on Him
(like listening to SEA SHELL)
JESUS is always speaking to us
What does His voice sound like to you?
Jesus didn’t take easy way out (King without going to cross)
Not what crowd or disciples wanted!
IV. THE DISAPPOINTMENT
A. THE DISCIPLE’S DISAPPOINTMENT
Disciples disappointed:
People ready to make Jesus Messiah/King
Army ready, just needed leader, battle plans
But Jesus sent them all away!
Sometimes God does something I don’t understand
B. THE MASTER’S DISAPPOINTMENT
1. IN THE PEOPLE
People just using His goodness for free food!
No one likes to be ‘used’ (Jesus knows)
Not really listening to His words, teachings @ kingdom, serving,
Don’t want to help God build His kingdom
Just want to use Jesus to build their kingdom on
2. IN THE DISCIPLES
Jesus disappointed in disciple’s response
all the work, training, etc. — they fail!
Before disappearing Jesus sent disciples to boat back
they probably thought He’d walk back with people
people thought He’d boat back with disciples
meanwhile He slipped into hills to pray
IIV. THE CURE FOR DISAPPOINTMENT
A. FOR THE MASTER
Why Jesus spending time praying when so much going on?
Crowd want make Him king – not swayed by pride
Handling John’s sudden cruel death
Disciples lack of faith, blinded by ego
Multitudes, see what really is important in life
Self: wisdom, strength, guidance, peace, etc
TRANSITION different solution for the disciples
they weren’t ready to get alone with God & pray
in fact were complaining more & more @ how turned out
B. FOR THE DISCIPLES THEN
1. HUMBLE TRUST
HEARTS HARDENED TOWARD JESUS
DISAPPOINTED in Jesus 3x one day!
1. He didn’t send the people away but fed them.
Selfish, self-pity, didn’t get own way
Wanted Jesus all to themselves
2. A bit proud from recent miss. tour
Young boy used to do miracle, not them
3. Not let people make Him king, them rule in top places
Then without warning a TERRIBLE STORMhit!
Wind, waves – very dangerous
not uncommon on Sea of Galilee (mixing bowl)
Didn’t stop – all thought they’d die
Note: -Jesus sent the disciples into the storm
-Jesus knew the storm was coming (it had begun)
-Jesus didn’t come join them when storm hit
6 PM storm hit Jn 6:16
6 AM Jesus came walking Mt 14:15
12 hours in boat about to die, no Jesus!
2. FAITH, NOT FEAR
Didn’t come as were expecting Him so they almost missed Him
came: walking on the water! (Looked like a ghost – apparition!)
Many times Jesus doesn’t come as we expect, so we miss Him
FAITH OF PETER saved the day
recognized Jesus, jumped out of boat to go to Him
walked a bit, sank, looked to Jesus & lifted up
Would Peter have walked on water if:
-it was a nice, relaxing day & smooth boat ride?
-had not been in boat 12 hrs & almost drowned
Choices:: sure death or crazy chance (take the chance)
Why God allows trials, etc. – Choose fear or faith
Examples: Jews at Red Sea
Naaman dip into river 7x
NOT focus on Peter’s failure but that he tried
Do you step out in faith?
SOLUTION: Keep your eyes on JESUS, not trials
Keep eyes on the GOAL – not troubles, disappointments
3. RESPOND IN WORSHIP
But the most amazing part is this:
STORM STOOPED IMMEDIATELY when Jesus got into boat!!!
It’s like it just wasn’t needed any more!
INSTANTLY REACH SHORE after 12 hours of nothing
RESPONSE: WORSHIP!
Disciples didn’t worship Jesus when healed, forgiven, etc
Why worship now? (THEIR necks saved!)
C. FOR THE DISCIPLES NOW
WHEN LANDED everyone went back home
all tired, wet (up all night)
No doubt:
Jesus is God
Jesus has a plan and purpose – goal aiming for
Jesus knows what we go through
must’ve been most stressful day in His life so far
He faced:
Intense sorrow: death of a dear friend & relative
Immediate threat: His name was on wanted posted
Immeasurable joy: homecoming with followers
Immense crowds: people following Him everywhere
Insensitive interruptions: sought rest & got interrupt.
Incredible demands: thousands needing his time
Inept assistance: asked for disciples’ help but none
Inaccurate advice: to be king
and it didn’t upset or defeat Him
-kept eyes on His Heavenly Father
-committed all His time to doing God’s will, not His
carrying out God’s will for Him was GOAL