The Day Jesus Sat On The Beach

Everybody loves a beautiful beach. Me included. I'm fortunate to live close to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I live about 20 minutes from the ocean, and every chance I get, summer or winter, I head to the beach even if just for a few minutes. It seems Jesus loved being around water as well!

Jesus grew up in the small town of Nazareth in Galilee. There were no bodies of water nearby. The town is set in the hilly countryside. But later, He went and lived in Capernaum, a seaside village located on the Sea of Galilee, about 30 miles from Nazareth. Much of His ministry was centered around the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus called Peter and Andrew, James and John from their fishing boats as he walked by the sea. Jesus often went out by boat into the sea and taught from the boat. Jesus did the Sermon on the Mount on the hillside of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus walked on water on the Sea of Galilee. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared on the beach of the Sea of Galilee as the disciples were out fishing, and He cooked them breakfast on the beach, grilling the fish they had just caught.

Jesus liked being by the sea. One of my favorite inspirational verses involves Jesus being by the sea.

On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. (Matthew 13:1 NKJV)

You've heard the phrase, "What would Jesus do?". I think He sets a good example. If it's good for Jesus, it's good for me! And I like to imitate Him as often as I can, sitting on the beach. Why do you think Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea? I'm sure there are many reasons -- to pray, to think, to rest. Perhaps He just needed some solitude and wanted to be around the beauty of creation. All good reasons.

There's just something about being next to a body of water, whether it's the ocean, a bay, a lake, a pond, or a river. Why do people like being close to the water? Maybe it's the calming effect or just the beauty of creation itself. Whatever the reason, a body of water attracts us. Jesus was no different. 

When we are around creation's beauty it reminds us of the Creator. And we can't help but be in the mindset of acknowledging and worshiping God. Everything around us is a reminder of Him. People have no excuse to claim there is no God. The evidence is all around us.

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Romans 1:20 NKJV)

I remember years ago walking up to a panoramic view on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. There was an incredible view of the river below and the mountains in the distance. I overheard a stranger next to me say, "How can anyone believe there is no God when they see this". 

When we look at creation, it reveals His eternal power and divine nature. Everything God has made, the flowers, the trees, and everything of beauty, demonstrates His creative powers. The fact that there is a divine designer is obvious, especially when we look up into the sky, view the stars at night, and the vast universe on display.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4 NLT)

It's good practice to admire and be in awe of the creation around you. Let it prompt you to admire and be in awe of our Creator God as well.

    "As I gaze out my window and look at the sky, admiring the color of blue, it reminds me of You.

    Watching the clouds as they billow and roll, creating a scene always new, it reminds me of You.

     Watching the sun as it's starting to rise, beginning a whole brand new day, it reminds me of You.

     A sunset displaying its colors so bright, its beauty makes me want to say, it reminds me of You.

       Cause You are my God, the maker of life, Creator of everything."

        --- excerpt from the song, "Creator Of Everything", by Chip Vickio

       

       

    

The Renewal Of Your Mind

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2a)  

 

The Apostle Paul's words are intriguing. It's understandable that we should not conform to the pattern of this world, and we all know what that looks like. But what does he mean by the renewing of our minds? And how does this lead to being transformed?

 

First, it's important to reflect on when the initial renewal of one's mind originally happens. That original newness is the new way, the new life, that Jesus referred to when he said we must be born again. The Apostle Paul talks about this a lot. For example in Romans chapter 6, he explains that when we make that decision to be a Christ follower, and are baptized into Christ, we die to our old self and put on a new self -- to walk in a newness of life.

 

We are changed from the inside out. Not just our minds are changed, our hearts are changed. We are transformed from the old way of thinking and acting, from the pattern of this world, to the pattern of Jesus. When we become Christ followers, our minds and hearts, our thoughts and attitudes, are changed to be more like God's. 

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

But our minds and hearts alone cannot truly transform us. We need some supernatural help, and as Christians, we have it! The Holy Spirit is in us to help convict us and guide us. That empowers us to put off the old self. Therefore, we are equipped. 

 

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)

 

Yes, it's important to first reflect on when the renewal of one's mind originally happens. But secondly, there is also an ongoing, continual renewing that is needed. We must keep renewing that original newness that we had to begin with!

 

As Christ followers, we are personally responsible to be in a continual transformation toward a more mature, spiritual way of thinking and living! The Greek word for "transform" (the New Testament was written in Greek) closely resembles the word metamorphosis, which means a process of changing from an immature form to an adult form. Our transformation is ongoing. It takes effort. It takes practice. It takes commitment.

 

Here are 5 keys that help make the renewal of your mind a continual process: 

 

(1) Have A Teachable Spirit. 

 

This requires humility and a desire to learn and follow the teachings of Jesus. We'll never get to the point of perfection. We will never know it all. We can always improve our walk with Jesus, learn, and grow. 

 

(2)  Be In The Word

 

The Bible is God's Word -- it reveals who He is, who we are, and how we need to live. We should read it daily, hear it preached, and follow it's teachings. It's the only way to come to personally know the Lord. 

 

(3)  Be Connected With Other Believers

The best way to be connected with other believers is to plug in to a local Bible believing church, doing life with other Christians, encouraging each other and serving each other.

(4)  Pray

 

Prayer is simply a conversation with God -- a father/child conversation. We need to pray often and realize that we can communicate with our Lord at any time for any reason. Prayer is a powerful tool that we have to help us navigate life. 

(5)  Acknowledge God's Presence

 

Rely on God's providence -- that He is able to intervene for us at any time, and that He is in control. We have a real-time God who hears us and understands our situation, and is faithful to His promises.

 

If you practice these five things, you will grow spiritually. There are many benefits to becoming spiritually mature. Paul points to one of the benefits as we look at the complete verse of Romans 12:2.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) 

One of the benefits of growing spiritually is this: you will be able to more clearly understand how God's ways are your ways, and have better discernment in how to live your life.