Can You Pass the Test?

[Mark L Shaver]

And that same day, when the evening had come, He said unto them, " Let us pass unto the other side"...Mark 4:35

What "same day" was this verse referring to when Jesus told His disciples to sail to the other side of the sea of Galilee? The "same day" was the day Jesus taught the multitudes and His disciples the parable of the good and bad ground and the sower and the seed. Mark 4:1-8 Why is this important to know? When Jesus finished teaching this parable, He asked His disciples if they understood and they responded "yes".

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew they would go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and minister to a man possessed with a legion of demons. He also knew Satan would try to take their lives as they crossed the water. Little did the disciples realize they would have an opportunity to use what they had received from Jesus within a few hours after hearing it.

The parable taught of a sower, seed, good ground, bad ground and an enemy who tries to steal the Word through persecution and affliction. Jesus would now put the disciples to the test.

Jesus (the sower) told them, "Let us pass to the other side" (the seed is sown). He did not say "Let's try to go over." He did not say, "Let's go halfway across and sink." The promise was given assuring them they would make it. Halfway across the water a storm erupted (persecution and affliction arose from Satan) to take the Word from their hearts. Jesus was so assured they would make it, He went to sleep and rested on His own promise. Unlike Jesus, the disciples were in a panic and blamed Him for not caring. Jesus woke up, calmed the storm then rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith. Jesus proved they had not understood the parable. Their actions prove they were hard ground. Jesus took them safely over, but they failed the test of faith.

Between you and the completed will of God is a sea of trouble. Between the shore of the promise given and the shore of the promise fulfilled, is the ocean of adversity. God's promise is, you will make it to the other side. Take hold of the promise and rest in it. The promise will sustain you and you will make it safely to the other side. Don't be like the disciples who failed. Be a disciple who passes the test of adversity. You will become stronger in your own life and you will also defeat Satan.

Many who traveled with Moses never made it to the other side.They stayed in the land of Gad because of their disbelief and fear of the giants on the other side. However, those who followed the ark of the covenant (Jesus) and crossed the Jordan, made it to the promise (land). The disciples made it as well. They went with Jesus back to the land of Gad to save one man possessed with a legion of demons. I can't help but think that Jesus heard the man from Gad cry out for salvation, cry out for help, the night before. With a still, calm sea, the man who lived in the caves, filled with a legion of demons, would cry out and his voice would travel across that smooth calm sea. Jesus heard that man's cries then and He hears our cries now.

Jesus will always come back for those who are lost, those who didn't cross over, those who are fearful, those who lack strength, and those who scream out in pain and agony.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus is awesome!
Praise His Holy Name