Monday, March 29, 2010

By the Sea Once More?

The public ministry of Yeshua often found Him teaching by the sea. As a matter of fact some of His greatest teachings, and miracles were given by the sea or near it. After His resurrection He was found once again by the sea making breakfast for His children (his disciples).

I live on the island of Bermuda. So the sea is all around. There a few places you can go where the sea is not found.

Near the earliest days that I can recall; the sea was closely connected with my life and happiness. As a child born into a fishing family I spent much of my early years in, and on the sea. I would be awakened before sunrise to get ready for the day on the beautiful blue waters.

Often on those crystal clear and still mornings my stepfather and I would be on our way out in our 28ft fishing boat to engage in a full days work on the water. Many times the water was so still that it had the appearance of glass; and not a sound could be heard, but that of the boat's engine as we steamed outward; usually several miles out.

It is difficult to think of my life without the water around me. When I went abroad to college I was amazed that there was no water around. It felt very foreign to me.

My stepfather would often pilot going out, and after getting all the bait and deck ready for work, and with the fresh sea breeze in my face I would sit or lay either on the bow or on the top deck looking out at the vast clear, aqua, sky blue, then deep blue ocean as we past through the shallows and arrived many miles out upon the ocean depths.

On those warm summer mornings, as we traveled out to our fishing grounds, I had much time to reflect upon Elohim (God) and the beautiful creatures around me that He made. Often we would see wild turtles swimming among the shoals near North Rock. And when we were past the reefs (some 9 miles from shore) I would see flying fish darting this way and that from the parting waters at the bow of the boat.

Yes, some of my most cherished childhood and early teen years are bound up with the sea.

And now that I'm older, I'm once again by the sea once more; for I'm now living with access to two beaches, and a dock and other scenic areas where I have moments for contemplation and meditation on Yeshua and His words as He taught by the sea.

And as we see Him preparing breakfast for His disciples,(Yochanan 21:9)(John) knowing that this would be one of the last times that He would be personally with them....I think of our world and the little moment of time yet remaining before we must launch out into the depths of our appointment with prophecy.....I linger; just now.... by the sea once more.

So I invite you to join me as I relive the scenes where Yeshua taught by or near the sea, where we wish to learn anew of the charm and depth of meaning His teachings have by the sea while time is on our side. For behold, "... the sea" shall arise..." by reason of a great wind" (Yohonan 6:18) ....but I have this promise....."When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: ....(Yesha'yaha.43:2) Isaiah