The Effects of Jesus' Absence

Why do we not like being in the dark?  Firstly, in the dark we can’t see where we are going, so we feel lost.  We just seem to be bumping into everything all the time; people, situations, etc.  This is a most uncomfortable experience.  We can see no light at the end of the tunnel.  It is most perplexing.  However, it is when we feel lost that the Lord may be nearest to us.  Since Christians belong in a very special way to God, He has promised “never to leave us nor forsake us,” (Heb.13:6).  So this encourages us when we feel alone.

Secondly, we can’t see anyone else, so we feel alone.  It is bad enough when we can’t see where we’re going, even in the company of others in the same plight; but it is much worse when we feel we are in the dark and no one else is with us.  Being alone, or even thinking we are alone, in the dark is a horrifying experience.  There can be a dark spiritual dimension to it all as well.  The devil so often tries to convince us that on-one else has ever been where we are now.  He can make us imagine, as Elijah imagined when he cried out, “I am the only one left,” (1^st Kings 19:10), that our situation is unique.  But, just as God came to His prophet and assured him that there were 7,000 others who were faithful to Him, so He comes to us, by His Spirit, and assures us that we are not alone in our trouble.  Even if there are one or two with us in the same situation, we are greatly encouraged.  We can go on and face the future.

Thirdly, darkness is foreign to what we imagine normal Christian experience to be.   We feel we should never be in the darkness as Christians, and should never go through a dark patch.  But that is wrong.  Perhaps God has a lesson to teach us that could be learnt in no other way.  Sometimes lessons learnt in darkness are lessons best learnt.  Don’t forget that.  Never underestimate the usefulness of darkness in the hand of our Father God.  Have patience, and see what He will yet do.  Even the darkness is light to Him.  Be patient with God and you’ll be surprised at what He can and will do.  Remember, it is always darkest before the dawn; night may seem never-ending but daylight will come; and so will Jesus.

These disciples were in the dark, and Jesus was absent.  But to add to their loneliness, a storm arose that was not of their making.  It was something that came to them.  The Sea of Galilee is notorious for sudden and rough storms, being nearly 700 feet below the level of the Mediterranean Sea.  One moment it was calm, the next a violent storm. 

Isn’t that also true of Christian experience?  One moment everything is nice and peaceful, the next the whole bottom seems to have fallen out of our world.  Satan often uses the element of surprise when he attacks us.  He will seek to wreck our Christian life, but what he seeks to do is impossible.  How stupid can he be?   He’s mad; he’s out of his mind. 

“Satan, how can you destroy that which shares the nature of God?  How can you destroy the Christian believer, the Christian Church, or eternal life?  You are wasting your time, for the believer, the Church, and eternal life are indestructible.”  

Now we need to speak to Satan like this, and tell him where to get off.  The storms of life may come uninvited and with breathtaking suddenness and speed.  Their ferocity may make us afraid.  Their persistence may tempt us to throw in the towel.  But we must not give up.  We must be courageous believers who are prepared to face the foe head on, if need be.  Even though Jesus seems very far away, really He is very near.  The strange thing is, and Martin Luther also discovered this, that the Lord is nearest to us when He seems farthest away.

Where was Christ when these disciples were in the middle of the storm?  He was on His way to them.  But what was He doing immediately before the storm broke?

Why, He was up in the hills by Himself, praying to His Father.  Jesus was at prayer (John 6:15, Mark6:46).  He was surely praying for His disciples.  Perhaps the storm arose precisely because He was praying for them.  He may even have been praying for their strengthening and safekeeping when the storms arose.   The significant factor was that Jesus was praying for them.  Is he ever nearer to us than when he prays to the Father for us?  And are His prayers answered?

John11:41-42 gives us the clear answer from the lips of Jesus when He says, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here.” 

Christian friends, never forget that our Lord is at this very moment at the right hand of God interceding, or praying, for us, for you and for me!  Paul affirms this saying, “Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us,” (Rom. 8:34).  Isn’t this the work of the Holy Spirit for us?

“The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will,” (Rom.8:27).  Jesus may seem far away from us, but really He is very near.

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This is an extract from J. E. Hazlett Lynch's book, "Courage Under the Cross in Troubled Times."  For details, please visit the posted on 15th Oct 2011.