That evening, Jesus invited His disciples to cross to the other side. And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side (Mark 4:35-41). I believe this call is also addressed to us today, because the day is already dusk, getting darker. Crime and deterioration occur everywhere, both in or outside the church. By inviting us to cross to the other side, God wants to save us from the darkness of this world and then be able to cross over to take over the World for the glory of God’s name.
Cross over means moving from one side to the other, moving from one level to the next level. So when the day is getting darker we should go up to a new level, where we are prepared, equipped, and then can be used to take over all the Lord has given to us that had been stolen and possessed by the devil’s kingdom and the kingdom of this world.
What should we do to rise to the next level?
1. Leave the crowd (v. 36).
If we want to rise to the next level, we must leave the crowd that usually with us. We must be willing to leave the old community, because each level has a different community. City’s community is different than village’s community, Community in the mainland is different than community in the mountain.
Every level has different communities. You can not rise up to the next level and still maintain the old community, except the entire communities are willing to move together. Many people have moved to the next level but were pulled back again by their communities who do not want to change, so in the end they failed to cross over to the next level. Leave the crowds and start to cross over!
To cross over to the next level, we must dare to be different. Maybe at first you will be considered a freak by the crowd, but it just shows that you are on a different level with them. You can not rise up to the next level and at the same time want to satisfy everyone. You must be willing to leave the crowd.
2. Get into the boat (v. 36).
To cross over to the next level, you have to get into the boat where Jesus is. Do not just get into any boat, make sure you get into the boat where Jesus is in it. Because the boat where Jesus is in it will protect you when the big storm hits. You will never get to the other side if you are on a boat in which Jesus is not in it.
The boat in which Jesus is not in it are just going round and round and will never take you to the other side. But the boat where Jesus is in it will actually take you to the other side. Although there is a storm on the way, but He keeps moving forward until arriving to the other side. The storm will not be able to stop this boat to get to the other side.
Do not be in a boat without Jesus in it. Also do not be in a boat that is sinking, because it is only a matter of time that the boat will sink. Also do not be in the boat that has patchworks, because sooner or later there will be leaks. No matter how big the boat is, if there is a leak it will sink too. The problem is not how big the boat is, but is Jesus in it? Is the boat is moving forward or just circling around the lake and not moving?
If you want to cross over to the next level, go into the boat where Jesus is in it. Get into the boat that is moving to the other side, not circling in place.
3. Remain calm despite the storm (vv. 37-38).
When we decided to cross over to the next level, the devil is definitely not happy and will try to hinder you to get to the next level. There will be a storm that hit your life. But if you are in a boat where Jesus is, stay calm, because there is a guarantee that the storm will surely passed.
The storm will not give negative effect to your life, but it will bring goodness that will encourage you to continue to move forward to the next level. When the storm hits, stay calm, do not panic, do not be afraid. As long as He is there, the storm will surely pass!
When a storm hits, we often feel God is silent. He seemed did not care and did not want to help. Actually, He is exercising the muscles of our faith, that’s why He would let us face the storm alone. So that we learn to use our faith, so that we learn to trust Him. At the end of the story, we find our faith muscles have grown bigger and stronger, so that when we encounter a storm the next time, we will be stronger to deal with it and can conquer it.
4. Learn to recognize the power of God that overcome all things (vv. 39-41).
On the way to cross over to the next level, sometimes God will allow us to deal with various problems and issues, but behind it all, God will reveal His presence and power so that we can get to know His presence and power more and more.
We must learn to recognize and trust the power of God that overcomes all:
– God’s power overcomes nature (Mark 4:35-41).
– God’s power overcomes the devil and his minions (Mark 5:1-20).
– God’s power overcomes sickness (Mark 5:21-34).
– God’s power overcomes death (Mark 5:35-43).
Let’s cross over to take over the World for the glory of God’s name. If you do all of this, you are going to get to the other side and you will be ready to take over what had been possessed by the enemy.
Also read: Conventional Faith versus Aggressive Faith.
