Sometimes we don’t recognize Jesus when he comes!  Perhaps you have been in a difficult situation and cried out for help, but the way God answers is not what you expected.

 

That is what happened to the disciples in Matthew 14.  They are rowing across the lake after a marvelous time with Jesus on the mountain.  In fact Jesus had told them to go!  Now though, it is dark, a strong wind is blowing and they are battling the waves.

 

Suddenly they see someone, something, moving across the water.  They are terrified.  Was it a ghost?  They didn’t realize it was Jesus.  Instead fear filled their hearts.  Fear blocks us from seeing clearly.  It paralyzes us.  And it cancels out faith.

Have you ever hiked in the mountains?  It’s not just mountains, but valleys too!  Life is like that.  Often in the valleys though, we wonder where God is.

 

Jesus and his disciples are on the mountainside.  Wonderful miracles are taking place.  More than five thousand people are fed and many healed.  However, Jesus now tells his disciples to get into their boat, and cross the lake.  The word used in the original language of the Bible is strong.  It says, Jesus compelled them to leave!

 

So the disciples are doing exactly what Jesus tells them, but as they row across the sea, the wind suddenly picks up.  Waves batter the boat.  Hour after hour they struggle.

This week the Feast of Tabernacles is being celebrated.  Just as they did in the days of Moses, the Jewish people build shelters from palm leaves and branches, decorating them with fruit.  

 

Why are they to do this?  It is a time to remember how they lived in tents when God brought them out of Egypt.  In some ways it is like a visual aid, so they would never forget that God  dwelt among them in the wilderness, overshadowing the tabernacle and their campsite with his glory.  Yet it is more than that!  It points towards the coming of Jesus.

 

When Jesus came he was described as  ‘The Word who became flesh and made his dwelling among us’.  The glory of God was revealed as a man.