Gideon |
Chapter 56 |
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FOR GOD AND MAN 04-07-13 (Mat 14:21) And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
THE VOYAGE (syn: journey, trip, expedition, passage, crossing, cruise) (Mat 14:22-33) And straightway [Gk: immediately] Jesus constrained [Gk: to necessitate;--compelled] his disciples [believers] to get into a ship [composed of wooden priest-boards – the church, of which the tabernacle is a type and shadow], and to go before him unto the other side [of the Sea of Galilee, i.e., to go from the present wilderness into the future Promised Land – a type and shadow of Heaven], while he sent the [unbelieving] multitudes away. And when he had sent the [unbelieving] multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray [“and a cloud received him out of their sight” Acts 1:9]: and when the evening [darkness] was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst [Gk: middle] of the [7 miles wide] sea [of Gailiee (Gk: the heathen circle), but never mentioned by name, therefore by contextual extension begging the indication of the wider scope of the world], tossed [Gk: tortured:--pained, toiling, tormented, vexed] with waves [of adverse humanity]: for the wind [normally a symbol of the Holy Spirit, but used here in direct opposition as the evil spirit (Satan)] was contrary [Gk: opposite; fig. antagonistic:--against]. And in the fourth watch of the night [around 6:00am – around sunrise] Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea [the sea is a biblical symbol of humanity – walking upon the sea as King of kings and Lord of lords]. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter [in need of reassurance to bolster (syn: strengthen, reinforce, encourage, support, augment, sustain) his belief)] answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship [i.e., out of the church (a type of our death, or, graduation), prophesying the end of the church and a new beginning], he walked on the water [an embedded prophecy teaching that Peter (a disciple as are we) was himself destined to be one of the ruling “kings and priests” Rev 1:6; 5:10], to go to Jesus [lovely thought that J]. But when he saw [in his flesh: disbelief: “Whoa, what am I doing here?”] the wind [cyclonic typhoon, tempest, hurricane] boisterous [Gk: forcible: mighty, powerful], he was afraid [i.e., fell into disbelief]; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand [prophesying the Hand Ministry: Eph 4:11], and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt [Gk: waver]? And when they were come into the ship [representing the second coming of Jesus Christ into His disciples (the ship was made up, composed of His disciples: priest-boards), with His “armies” (Peter: Rev 19:14)], the wind ceased [all adversity was conquered]. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
(Mark 6:45-51) 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. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 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. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 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. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
(John 6:15-21) When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs [between 3 1/8 miles and 3 ¾ miles, i.e., about 3 ½ miles], they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately [instantly, “in the twinkling of an eye” 1 Cor 15:52] the ship was [“caught up” (1 Thes 4:17), i.e., traversed the remaining 3 ½ miles, was raptured and immediately arrived] at the land whither they went. Amen
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