Some time passes and the encounter with the Jerusalem
interrogators seems a distant memory. Jesus decides to journey to the far side
of the Sea of Galilee (which is also known as the Sea of Tiberias). John 6:1
EFP
Jesus and his
crew have been on the near shore of the Galilee for an indefinite time. It is as close to a comfort zone as there is
for Jesus. He is familiar with the
people and the places. He is known by
his family and friends, which is good, but which brings its own set of
challenges. But it is home after all,
and it seems to be a place where he feels comfortable and at ease—he will
retreat to the near side of the Sea of Galilee multiple times during his
ministry.
But there is
also the “far side of the sea.” This is
not familiar territory by any stretch of the imagination. It is not Galilee anymore. It is not Jerusalem or any part of Judea for
that matter. It is not even Samaria, where there is a distant, albeit strained,
connection with Israel. This is Perea,
the “far side of the sea”—literally “the country beyond.” But Jesus’ life is led by a higher calling,
and it is that calling that leads him to venture out of his comfort zone to
“seek and save” the lost, even those that live on the “far side of the
sea.” I am happy he came to my side of
the sea—I would be lost and hopeless without him.
But that
reality causes me to ponder where that “far side of the sea” is for me today? I
am sure each day brings those moments that confront me with opportunities to go
outside the familiar and cozy into the unknown. Lord, help me recognize and
seize those moments in my life.
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