Spring 1996
Going Beyond
Wade E Taylor

Many know Jesus as their Savior, healer, baptizer, and coming King. We are to also know Him as our personal Lord who has made these a present reality in us, and, as our present King to whom we have yielded full control of our lives.

To be saved means that I experientially know Jesus as MY Saviour. All the benefits of redemption are mine. I have Jesus.

To know Jesus as my personal LORD means that I have unconditionally made Jesus LORD over all that pertains to me; and that I have submitted myself to His present Kingdom rule.

Jesus said, "If any man wills to come after me, let Him deny himself and take up his cross." This is not Calvary's cross, but rather, my cross. I am to die to my own life and ways, and make Him Lord by unconditionally submitting to His will and purpose - His Kingdom rule over my life. Now, Jesus has me.

The Lord deals with us according to the intent of our heart. If we willingly, unconditionally submit our lives to Him, then He works within us in ways that will take us beyond the surface blessings and provisions.

In the sixth chapter of John, five thousand men, besides women and children came to attend a good meeting, to see the miracles that they heard were taking place. These were observers. Therefore, Jesus fed them on the level of their hunger, or receptivity. This was the best meal they had ever eaten. Jesus Himself multiplied the loaves and fishes until they were filled. But several hours later, they returned looking for another meal.

To the twelve disciples who were present, this became a lesson of profound end-time importance. A lad was present with five loaves and two fishes. Jesus multiplied these until everyone had been fed, with twelve baskets full left over. Later, He called the disciples attention to the numbers, five, two, and twelve, and instructed them to remember these numbers. This holds the key to end-time provision.

But to the multitude, it was simply a good meal, one which they wished repeated. Instead, Jesus sought to take them beyond the natural level of limited provision to the higher realm of unlimited supply. They were told that they must partake of the very flesh and blood of the Lord.

But they did not have a "stomach" for this level of truth. They scorned and ridiculed Jesus and departed. In fact, so many left that He finally said to His disciples, "will you also leave?"

In Luke chapter five is another multitude. These "pressed to hear" as Jesus stood at the shore line. There is a very important difference between these two multitudes. The attitude of these was entirely different. The first group had come to "see." These came to "hear" and therefore, touched the heart of Jesus.

Before, there had been a lad. Here, there were two ships. When we are sincere before the Lord, there will always be two ships. These speak of alternatives - "our way" and "His way."

Jonah had two ships in his experience. He was to go to Nineveh, but instead he entered a ship that was going the wrong way. Later, because of the chastening storm, he was thrown overboard, and entered a "ship" (whale) that was going the right way.

The Lord said, "If any man wills, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow." The "if" represents the two ships. I may either go my way, or I can submit to the Kingdom, to the principle of His governmental rule in my life. I can come under the authority of His Lordship.

"And he entered into one of the ships..." Luke 5:3. Jesus stepped into the Kingdom ship that is going His way, "Take up your cross and follow me." He is in the boat waiting. Too often we enter our own boat and attempt to make our way through life's circumstances.

Jesus then pushed out a little from the shore. The shore speaks of our having our feet on the ground, where we can do as we please. But He pushed out into the dimension of the Spirit, where we become totally dependent.

First, water to the ankles, then to the knees, then to the loins, and finally, waters to swim in (Ezek 47:3-5). Only now can Jesus tell us to let down our nets. Here, with a word from Him, we begin to fish in Kingdom waters.

Are we seeking the multiplication of loaves and fishes, being satisfied, but soon to hunger again? Or are we getting into the boat with Him, to be prepared to launch out into the deep?

There is a "deep" that the Lord is bringing a prepared people into, where He is about to speak a word to let down their nets. He has a higher purpose which is about to be revealed to a body of overcomers, who will pay the price to follow Him.

If we are in John 6, He will multiply the loaves and fishes to feed us. We will have a temporary satisfaction, but we will never really be satisfied. This is why there is so much discontentment in the Church. There is need for commitment, a getting ready to push out into the deep.

If we find ourselves to be in John chapter 6, seeking a present blessing, we are to move to Luke chapter 5, where we can sit in the boat with Jesus and be taught in preparation to be launched out into the deep.