25 JULY

SIGNS OF JESUS’ DIVINITY (6)

“When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’.

(John 6: 19)

What happened the first time you tried to swim? Sinking? Is there any other

person who ever walked on water? What was Jesus’ motive in walking on water?  It was a sign of His divinity so that many may believe in Him and be saved from hell.

The story was once told of a boy called Femi, who had lost his mum at birth and his dad a short while later. The only parent he ever knew was his grandmother. It was a popular tale in the village that Femi’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all walked across the lake on their 21st birthdays. Femi was determined to carry on this tradition. He boasted as he invited all his friends to witness the event. He wore his first suit and new shoes. His friends cheered him on as he confidently stepped out into the lake.

What? This was not a walk! Femi struggled as he sank deeper and deeper. His friends jumped in to pull him on to land. His suit and shoes were ruined. Ashamed and furious he went home to question his grandmother, whom he had not bothered to tell of his plans because his motive was to show off to his friends. “Grandma, why can’t I walk on water like my father, his father, and his father before him?”

The feeble old grandmother took Femi by the hands, looked into his eyes, and explained, “That’s because your father was born in December, while your grandfather and great-grandfather were born in January, all in dry season but you were born in July, dear. The water in the lake is very low in January and their purpose was to go across to work on the farmland and evangelise the villagers on the other side. I don’t know what your motive was but the lake is overflowing in July.”

God will use us in greater ways than the generations past, if we have the motive to glorify Him and bring the perishing to know Christ.

ACTION: Resolve to always act with the right motive always.

PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to act with the right motive of glorifying your name at all times.