Hanging out with Jesus XIV: Imaginary Ghosts Kill

Hanging out with Jesus XIV:  Imaginary Ghosts Kill

Mark 6:6-56 key verse... key verse 6:46

In the last message, we saw how only a few were healed in Jesus' hometown because of their unbelief. The few healings were not considered mighty works (6:5). Today a few healed is mighty works - are we in Nazareth? You do not want to be of Capernaum either. People of Capernaum had faith for mighty works and not for eternity (Luke 10:15).

In Nazareth, the disciples saw such poor response for the first time in their walk with Jesus. They needed this advanced training in faith, i.e., things do not always flow and happen the way and time you want. This was indeed a big lesson. Jesus’ example was that despite the poor response to his claims and ministry he continued to teach patiently in their villages.  He modeled resilience in the face of obstacles. Instead of quitting, he intensified his work of love. He identified unbelief as a barrier to reaching his own people and provided the solution (Romans 10:17). God's word is the cure for unbelief.  When God identifies weaknesses in you, he never rules out but comes closer to provide the solution and fill the gaps. He did not only teach but he mobilized his disciples and sent them out.

The disciples experienced another first. Up to this point, the disciples had followed Jesus and watched him share good news and do mighty works. Chapter 6 presents a new development - Jesus sending out his disciples to go in twos to do what they had seen him do. This decision was all part of the advanced School Of faith to prepare them for his departure. At the heart of discipleship is bringing up people in their walk with Christ to a point where they stand on their own and do greater works. He intensified and upgraded his mighty works to greater works. For to Jesus, when disciples are released greater works than his happen (John 14:12). That is the transformational discipleship Jesus is still in the business of. The discipler realizes he will not always be there and the work to be done requires many more than one person. As in parenting, discipleship is about preparing 'children' in the faith to stand on their own and serve their generation. It is not about creating perpetual dependencies. The following are the experiences of the disciples when they were send out:

1) The disciples embraced the commission to go with the gospel without his physical presence (6:6-29). 

They only had his word and faith that he would back his word (Jeremiah 1:12). God has a work to be done by his disciples today. He still commissions them with power over demons, and sicknesses. He still confirms his word with conviction and transformation. He still requires that the disciples trust entirely on him for their upkeep. Provision is in pursuing the vision. God still has people of peace in the mission field to support his disciples in action (6:10).  The mission field is in the communities and market places where his people live and serve.  Identify the people of peace and stay with them.  When the disciples share the gospel clearly and powerfully, they have done their part and can shake dust off their sandals. In other words, leave the choices and their consequences in the hands of those who reject the good news of the kingdom of God. Before Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed for its sin, it did not have such a chance of someone preaching to them.

The shift to broadened participation by his disciples was such a powerful witness that people had to make a choice. Ghosts appeared in some people's imagination. They had two options - believe Jesus was the messiah, the savior and deliverer or they imagined he was a ghost to explain him away. A ghost is the spirit of a deceased person, which appears to the living. In Nazareth they explained him away as merely human, Joseph’s son. But when the disciples went out the explanation was he was extra human, Elijah or some prophet come back to life - a ghost. Their imagined ghosts kept them from accepting he was the solution, healing, deliverance and life. He was topical even in the corridors of power. King Herod explained Jesus away as John the Baptist come back to life – a ghost. He had beheaded John to please his daughter and wife. Jesus brought conviction about the wrong he had done. When he resisted conviction that would have brought him to repentance it became unbearable guilt and he imagined a ghost. By the way, he could have spared John by reminding his daughter that he had offered only up to the worth of half his kingdom. Sadly, he valued John's life lower than half his kingdom. Unlike Jesus who said one life was more than the gain of the whole world. 

2) The disciples tasted conquest through obedience and gospel proclamation (6:30).

Serving God is the greatest joy on earth. Their testimonies were transformed  from what they received and  saw to what they gave and  did. Testimonies of what was done through them not for them.  They had to adjust their mindset from only being where he was (3:13) to taking him wherever they went as he sent them; from seeing him do things, and they marvel, to producing the marvels. And also, from demanding from him to giving and contributing to his work; from a trust based on seeing him physically to trusting his word. A faith that went where he said go and do what he said do.  They came to report back rejoicing. Sharing what God had done encouraged others and gave opportunity to learn more from Jesus. He reminded them not to lose focus of the main personal thing they had gained already - their names were written in the book of life.  They also needed to be reminded that there was more still undone, and more people to be reached. 

3) The disciples received compassion from Jesus. 'Come rest a while' (6:31-44).

Jesus cared about their well-being. He took note that they had not eaten and rested. Later he would say ‘come and dine’ (John 21:12). He still says the same to his followers and workers.  In him there is rejuvenation, reflection, new strength and refreshment (Mathew 11:28; Hebrews 4:9).

The advanced lesson however was that compassion for those who did not explain Jesus away but sought for him came before convenience of the worker. They meant to take a break but their privacy was invaded and denied. Instead, Jesus out of compassion ministered to the crowd of 5,000 men and the rest of the people. They were tired and yet still received the people. Ministry is not an ego building exercise it's about being compelled by the love of God for people to bare their burdens.  Ministry is not for the lazy selfish fellows looking for the easy way in life.

Jesus also demonstrated that compassion is practical. The people needed something to eat. The disciples also needed to eat. When there was no food, Jesus said to the disciples give them something to eat. Jesus wanted them to know that he was depending on them much as they depended on him. However after they did statistics and costing it was impossible for them to give the people something to eat. They would have sent the hungry people away empty. They could not see that with him they could do greater works. The grace that gave them strength so far could also multiply food. Jesus used the little food they had as seed which when given to him he multiplied to feed all.  Jesus multiplied the five loaves of bread and two fishes through his servants and structure. He prayed, asked for order and the obedience of his disciples.

4) Faced with strong winds the disciples imagined a ghost. (6:45-56).

Unlike the previous voyage when he crossed the sea with them, he instructed his disciples to cross over on their own. In the meantime he  departed into a mountain to pray.  He pilot tested what would happen when he would rise from the dead and ascend to heaven. He would leave them to cross through life without his physical presence.  He would go to pray as their high priest interceding daily for them. In the mountain of prayer he was seeing them (6:48).  They needed to master the lesson to trust his word not just his physical presence. Always remember that even though not present physically Jesus is with you, his prayers are for you and his eyes are upon you. His word is as real as his presence. He was so caring that he watched over them all the time. He is El Roi and Jehovah Shammah. You are not abandoned and not alone.

The advanced lesson was that when faced with storms Jesus calms it in his own supernatural way. When the winds were strong and contrary the disciples must have remembered the previous storm they faced with Jesus in the boat. The memory was haunting as the task they faced was daunting. Then Jesus appeared walking on water.  They thought  we are battling winds and as if not enough a ghost appears surely when it rains it pours.   They wondered what wrong they had done to deserve all this? Bear in mind that what they saw must have looked like Jesus because he was the same person who got into the boat.  But they explained him away as a ghost. Herod mistook him for a ghost. Now disciples later do the same. Imaginary ghosts are feelings and things that exalt themselves above the knowledge of Christ (2  Corinthians 10:4).  To think he was a ghost they must have concluded that he had died when they left him on the shore. Their own understanding was people do not walk on water.  They forgot he was the last Adam (Adam had no bridges in garden of Eden). They also forgot he was the one who made the waters and the winds.

What happens when winds strongly oppose you? Faced with string opposing winds, remember that God is not dead but alive. In a storm, you will see either a ghost or Christ. Faith is ability to see Jesus in the storm. See Jesus, Jehova elgibbor (mighty God) in your storm. One who is able to do all things and often brings rescue in supernatural unexpected ways.

Interestingly, the bible says Jesus intended to; simply, pass by (6:52). Why would he do that? Perhaps he wanted to demonstrate that when you come down the mountain of prayer you could surf on your storms. Or perhaps he just wanted to say assure them that he cared and was watching over them. He may also have wanted to show that he was more powerful than what was causing fear to them and walked on it to stamp his authority. Remember he is the same who said you would walk on scorpions and serpents. Peter also walked on water (Mathew 14:28).

When Jesus appears and you see a ghost you have lost the consciousness of his presence and love. Such imaginary ghosts cause fear and steal his word, joy, hope and peace. And as happened to Herod they stir up guilt and condemnation instead of humility and repentance. In your storm when it looks like a ghost wait ... it could be Jesus. Granted, not all ghosts are Jesus and not all appearances of Jesus are ghostly. Listen to the voice. You will know it is Jesus not a ghost after all. The ghost was not there it was in their mind. Jesus first calmed their fears by saying ‘fear not’.  When he entered the boat, the outside winds ceased.  Welcome him inside your life to deal with winds facing you from outside. Yes receive him in your boat today and the external winds will cease.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa