A Reminder Of Our Salvation

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” — John 6:1-5

Notice the name of the lake. In Greek, it was called the Sea of Galilee. In Roman times after Herod Antipas built the city of Tiberias on the lake's west shore, it was renamed the Sea of Tiberias. And in Hebrew times, long before this, it was known as the Sea of Gennesaret. Isn't it interesting to hear the evolution of these names as language and power shift?

In contrast, God's name endures. His power never ends. His story never changes. This moment is a visual reminder to the people who followed Jesus. This moment marks the eve of Passover. For Jews, this was a critical meal celebrating the deliverance and salvation of God's people from slavery. During the celebration of this meal, families would recall and even reenact the events of their deliverance as a reminder. And yet, this time, God reminds them in the flesh. Jesus, the "second Moses," directs a mass of thousands of people. He leads them miles around a body of water. He then goes up to the mountain. He commands the people. He then teaches, feeds, and performs an astonishing miracle. And if you know the history of the Exodus, you'll know this sounds a lot like what God did through Moses. Salvation from God through a single prophet.

Today we live in rapidly changing times. Names are being altered. Genders are being reidentified. History is being rewritten. Power is changing hands. Prices are soaring. Concerns and threats of war increase. And all these changes cause men to fear. And yet our God is the same God he has always been. His name and authority will never change. Salvation is only and always is from him. So if you feel a little fear because of all the rapid changes. Stop fearing these changes. Fear God. He never changes and is the only constant you ever have and need.

Listen to the very word of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15:

"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers — it is to him you shall listen." — Deuteronomy 18:15

ASK THIS: What do you fear today?

DO THIS: Stop fearing that. Fear only God.

PRAY THIS: God, take away my fear.

PLAY THIS: Not Today.