And
He said, COME. And when Peter
was
come down out of the ship, he
walked
on the water, to go to Jesus
Matthew
14:29
I've
heard people speak in admiration of a friend, family member or
well-known celebrity, saying, “He's so great... I'm sure he can
walk on water.” In making that remark, they usually aren't talking
about Jesus. There are only two people I know of who have walked ON
water...Jesus and Peter. Jesus walking on water has never surprised
me...Peter walking on water is another thing. Have you ever tried
walking ON water? I would sure like to know who you are if you did
such a miraculous thing. I've waded in water, gone swimming in
water, gone off of a diving board into water, bathed in water, skated
on frozen water, but never have I walked ON it.
Peter
was successful in doing what Jesus asked him to do if only for da few
moments...a very few steps. All Jesus had to do was stand ON the
water and ask Peter to come to Him. Peter only had three things to
do in this process:
- Notice first that Peter had to get out of the ship. Something I had never paid attention to was that Peter had to “come down” out of the ship. This wasn't a row boat or a canoe like we often picture. Fishing boats were often pretty good sized vessels. This one was big enough that Peter had to get over the side of the ship and ease himself down to water level. Whatever moments this took, if this were me, I would be asking myself, “What in the world am I doing?” Verse 24 reveals some complications. The sea was tossed with waves and on top of that, the winds were contrary so this wasn't a calm sea situation. Peter lowered himself onto water with waves blown by wind gusts. Under those circumstances, it might be hard to even stand steady on the ship.
- Why did Peter do this in the first place? The invitation didn't come from a fellow disciple or family member. It was from Jesus, Peter's dearest friend in the world. He didn't seem to hesitate even though I'm sure his heart was skipping a few beats. Peter was well acquainted with ships, turbulent water and high winds. His life as a fisherman had exposed him to all of that. This was different because Someone called Peter who he had come to love and trust. Peter had witnessed Jesus' miracles. He knew by now that Jesus could do anything and in this case, all would be well.
- Peter no sooner let his feet touch the water and his hand let go of the ship but what he found himself taking steps on water that was as firm and steady as any road he had walked on with Jesus. In fact, straight ahead of Peter stood Jesus with his inviting smile and perhaps outstretched arms. Nothing to it...piece of cake. Peter began doing what no man had ever done. I can't imagine how thrilling that must have been. Also remember that Peter wasn't the only one in that ship. There were others taking all of this in. We have no idea what they were saying to Peter, but he appears for a time to be undeterred.
- Something happened and verse 30 tells us what it was:
But
when he saw the wind boisterous, he was
afraid;
and beginning to sink, he cried, saying,
Lord,
save me.
Peter
took his eyes off of Jesus...he saw the winds stirring the sea. In
fact we see that
the
wind was boisterous. That word means that the wind was very loud.
There
was
a lot to grab Peter's attention. Whatever those things were,
Peter's attention suffered a lapse. Before his attention was firmly
fixed on Jesus, all of the circumstances
around Peter caused him to forget the One who had invited him to
come. RESULT: he no longer saw the One who could hold him up,
could keep him walking on the water. He began to sink. A very
loving Jesus extended a helping hand to Peter just as Peter cried
out for help. Again, Peter wasn't new to the sea and it's storms.
He probably knew of fishermen who had lost their lives in that very
same sea. But Jesus took hold of Peter caught him and got Peter
back to the boat, but not without a word of correction. Jesus said,
“ O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Oh my
goodness, I would never want Jesus to have to say that to me, but I'm
afraid He could for there have been times when I like Peter have
lost focus and found myself sinking.
Back
safely in the ship, the winds immediately calmed. In the boat, men
were in the presence of Jesus, the controller of all weather events.
I don't believe in these moments that this incident took a lot of
time. No matter how brief, that was some object lesson for all who
witnessed it. As they all came together on that ship, there broke
out a worship service. It was a time of praise as they recognized the
Son of God in their presence.
You
and I may at times be called upon to accomplish what looks to be an
impossible task. We know at that time that God has called us and in
our enthusiasm we step right into whatever the task is. Sometimes,
though, things get rough and are nothing like we thought they would
be. The winds of adversity blow strong and we lose our mental or
emotional footing. We end up disturbed, unhappy, maybe afraid of
failure...all types of wind that can blow straight at us. I find it
odd that so many of us Christians try everything to rescue ourselves,
not thinking to call on Jesus for help first. Peter had no
alternative plan...it was Jesus or drown.
I
must admit that I am going through such a time. I know that those
who pen books, blogs or whatever are never supposed to admit any kind
of weakness but I find that on the dishonest side of life. All of
us, no matter who or what our title, face difficult times. We all
get to the end of our rope and when I get there, don't ask me to tie
a knot in it and hold on. When at the end of my rope, I generally
have no energy of any kind to do anything to help myself. I just get
too weary.
Let
me share some things I'm doing that I feel are helping:
- I'm tracking my sleep schedule to see if I'm getting enough. Along with that part of things, I'm thinking about my diet as well and if I'm eating regularly.
- I'm re-evaluating the task I felt called to because I never want to be doing what the Lord doesn't want me to do. At this point I know I'm doing what I'm called to.
- My big point of evaluation is spiritual in nature. How much time am I spending in the Word of God? What about my prayer life? In both of those areas, am I backslidden? Without both, I will be weak and upset. My strength will be come from being in the Lord's presence. When in His presence, I am focused on Him. Even when I feel like I'm sinking, He stands ready to take hold of me and get me back to my “boat.”
Someone
had a really good statement on FB and I must share it with you:
When
you feel like you're drowning in life,
don't
worry, your Lifeguard walks on water.
I
just love that and hope to keep it in my memory. What a sweet
assurance that is and just as Scriptural as can be.
So...........
Walk
by faith
Keep walkin'
Keep eyes on Jesus.
Dear
Jesus,
When
the storms of life are raging,
Stand
by me.
When
the storms of life are raging,
Stand
by me.
When
the world is tossing me
Like
a ship upon the sea,
Thou
who rulest wind and water,
Stand
by me.
Amen
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