Contrary Winds
Bible Text: Mark 6:45-51 | Speaker: Pastor Jerry Irwin | CONTRARY WINDS
Mark 6
45. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida,
while he sent away the people.
46. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50. For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid
51. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
In the final analysis, opposition, hardship, and delay Lead to Revelation!
Jonah ran from the way to Ninevah toward Tharshish which was the opposite direction. No wonder he encountered contrary winds, because he was going the wrong way. I understand resistance when you are going the wrong way, but our text today would suggest that there are occasions when traveling toward the purpose and plan of God that we encounter troublesome contrary winds that test our will and determination.
Now that is a problematical concept; because popular preaching themes tell us that God is obligated to make things go smooth and comfy if we do right things. But sometimes the fact that we are meeting with resistance while pursuing our assignment and carrying out he vision, is a confirmation that we are traveling in the right direction.
My fellow travelers, the winds of life are in your face to let you know that the presence and the power of God are with you. Circumstances may be against you, but God is for you. The toils of life or challenges of a church submitted to God are there for a reason. If the wind was always at our back, we would be grateful to the wind. The reason why God keeps you going forward when contrary winds are in your face, is to reveal to you HIS all sufficient grace and power, and in the end HE receives the glory and the honor.
1. Finances may be stressed, but God is for you.
2. Relationships may be strained, but God is for you.
3. Patience may be worn thin, but God is for you.
4. Hope may be diminished, but God is for you.
5. Trials may be fiery and temptations hard to bare, but God is for you.
6. Burdens may have waited you down, but God is for you.
7. Health may be failing, and strength growing weak, but God is for you.
AND IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO COULD BE AGAINST US!! Many times the wind is against you so that God will have opportunity to step in and speak peace to the wind and waves. A contrary wind provides opportunity also to be a witness to those who do not have a PEACE SPEAKER!
Mark 6:48
He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn, He went out to meet them, walking on the water. He was about to pass by them,
When we were last in Israel several years ago. Before we went down to the ship to sail across the Sea of Galilee, Ami, our guide showed us the place on the mountain where Jesus went to pray while the disciples set sail to cross the Lake. From that vantage point, one could see the whole lake. From where He was, Jesus could see them as they struggled to stay afloat in the midst of a contrary wind. If He could see from where He was He could have stopped the storm, hushed the wind, and removed the danger; but He chose to go to them in their struggle, and enter their dilemma, come alongside them, and speak peace to the violence of the storm.
That’s the Jesus I’ve come to know!
Now we know that the Gospels tell the good news of salvation. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each give their own narrative of the Life of Christ through Jewish eyes, except for Luke who was not a Jew.
The Book of Mark was written by the evangelist John Mark, and is probably the oldest of the four gospels. That means that Mark’s gospel was written from the eyewitness accounts of the apostles, most prominently Peter. So Peter is telling the story of the storm and Jesus walking on the water recorded here in Mark, chapter six. The narrative also appears in Matthew’s gospel, chapter fourteen, verses 22-33 and includes an event that Peter did not recount in his telling of the story to Mark. That’s right, the fact that Peter had walked on the water at the command of Jesus. Notice that Peter did great as long as he walked by what he heard. It was when he saw the wind and angry waves that he began to sink.
Matt 14:28 32
28. “Lord,If it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
29. So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
30. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me.”
31. And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!
Why did Peter leave out one of the most important event in his life? Most of us would have included that miraculous walk of faith. Could it be that he was embarrassed to tell of his lapse of faith, or perhaps he had told it so many times that he was tired of restating it?
Whatever the case, Peter wasn’t walking on water! He was walking on a word. And when you have a word from God, faith, grace, resources, and anointing is attached to that word, for God would never give you an assignment that He was not committed to seeing you through it.
When you are walking on a Word, you must be careful each step you take, for when you are walking on what other people sink in, you must remain focused on the sustaining power of life in Christ, who loved us, and gave Himself for us, that we might receive the recompense of reward. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Yes, there is a crown to win, but there is also a battle to fight
Yes, there is eternal life awaiting, but there is also hardness to endure
Yes, there is a reunion in Heaven, but there is a cross to bear
Yes, there is a time when God Himself will wipe away all tears, but there are tribulations
Yes, there is a new body and no more death, but afflictions are many
Yes, there is joy in His presence ever more, but pitfalls abound
The old song says, “The toils of the road will seem nothing, when we get there!
Peter said, “Its not significant what happened when I stepped out of the boat, lets leave that out. What is significant is what happened when He stepped in.
v. 32, And when they got in the boat, the wind ceased.”
It doesn’t really matter that people failed you. It doesn’t really matter that people began to sink, what really mattered is that Jesus is in the boat with us, and that means that the contrary wind will cease! People don’t determine whether you make it or not, Jesus does! If He is all you’ve got, He’s all you need.