As I prepared my heart and mind for another trip to Israel, the thought of riding on the Sea of Galilee again brought a renewed spirit of great expectancy!
Five years ago as the boat pulled away from the dock, my wife and I stood near the bow and fixed our gaze all around us. “This is where Jesus spent so much of His early ministry!” We envisioned Him walking on the water, travelling along the shore, calming the storm, reaching out to Peter, healing the maniac of Gadara, as well as other events in Jesus’ Galilean ministry.
In a few moments, the owners of the boat began to play over the loud speakers, “How Great Is Our God.”
The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Several of us, gathered at the bow, began to sing along, tears streaming down our cheeks. The calmness of the sea, the beauty of God’s creation all around us, the person of Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27) and the fellowship in worship of brothers and sisters like us in Christ was so absolutely awesome! Once again, Christ was ministering on the Sea of Galilee!!
Well, fast forward to three weeks ago, and once again, we experienced the same, but this time on a much deeper level. How wonderful to sing “How Great Thou Art,” “10,000 Reasons,” and “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.” With hands and voices raised up to heaven, our hearts overflowed with praise to our great God for His Son, His salvation, and His grace! Then we heard the Word of God preached to us while we sailed along. The Christ in us ministered once again on the Sea of Galilee to each of us.
Of course we are back home now, and the same Jesus continues to minister to us as we obey His call recorded in Matthew 11:28-30, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The same Christ, Who through the Holy Spirit, taught us, led us to worship, and ministered to our hearts on the Sea of Galilee is ready and willing to do the same today. All you must do is open the Word of God and let Him speak to you from the pages of His eternal, life-giving book of absolute truth!
So, come along with me today and let’s “ride the boat” as Jesus ministers once again to His redeemed ones! Go ahead and sing, too!! (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16-17).
From A Pastor's Heart 