August 14.
Reaching The Other Side

Matthew 14:22

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

Jesus had just finished working a miracle of feeding five thousand men plus the women and children. If you’re not careful in the body of Christ, you will start thinking that the move of salvation is a meat and bread movement, that the reason you’re serving God is so you can eat and sleep. Yet it’s not about eating and sleeping; it’s about soul winning. Even though you’re saved, there is a multiplicity of people on their way to hell.

Straightway, Jesus constrained his disciples. In other words, he urged the disciples. He put something on them; he encouraged them to get in to a boat. Now Jesus has a number of ways to persuade us to do things, indeed things we said we would never do. Five years ago, some of you would have to be twisted or shot to make you come to church, especially on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. But here you are now and God knows what you’ve had to go through in order to get here. Sometimes he moved and took that which was near and dear. He might take your job or tamper with your health. Sometimes he does unusual or mystifying things and you say to the Lord, “That’s enough. If you want, I’ll serve you.” He constrained his disciples to get into a ship and go before him to the other side. Jesus knew that before his disciples could teach others, they themselves needed to be taught.

Their destination was the other side. Where I’m going is to the other side. The old people used to sing songs about going to the other side. You hear them singing, “I’m on my journey and I can’t turn around.” They called it The Old Ship of Zion. I like this ship because it has already landed many thousands safely over. I like the security of the ship because Jesus is the Captain.