Matthew 8

Matthew 8 is a chapter full of wonderful miracles.  However, I want to focus on what went on surrounding the miracles.

1When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

He, Jesus, then healed a leper, a centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law and all that were sick and brought to him.  (v 2-17) 

18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

The scene that happens next reminds me of a t-shirt a peer wore in college.  It said "Jesus is coming, look busy." 

Upon hearing the commandment to leave the time of miracles, two different disciples, part of the great multitude, decided to look busy.  (v. 19-22)

It is easy to live for God when the Spirit is moving and "everyone else is doing it," but when Jesus calls us to a lonely place, a place where no one is there to hide behind' no crowd to blend in to, we often try to "look busy" or some how obfuscate His calling. 

To be true disciples, as we REAL men should desire, we must enter the boat.(v.23)

Once we decide to follow Christ without reservations, we are mistaken if we think the hardest part is over.  The storms of life will toss our boat, sometimes hard enough to shake our confidence.  Fear not, the Lord is in our boat and if we will just call on Him, He will see us through the storm. After which, we may land on another shore of promise where He will work many more miracles.

Take heart, REAL Men of Euless, if we are on the boat, remember, He is in the boat. 

Keith G. Mathews