Have you ever had a life storm, one where the winds were howling and the waves pounding? Jesus' disciples always attract storms, just like they did in Matthew 14. In that storm, however, Jesus came to them, walking on the turbulent waves. This week we take a look at storms and the lessons we can learn from them.
14:26 – I have always chuckled at the disciples’ conclusion when they saw Jesus walking on the water. They thought He was a ghost! That means ghosts were a legend and in the back of people’s minds just like today. While it is somewhat humorous now, it wasn’t then, for these men were terrified and cried out in fear. Jesus was always doing the unexpected, but this instance went way beyond multiplying loaves and fishes or healing a blind man.
Why would Jesus do something like this? Jesus was constantly trying to expand the thinking of His disciples where faith was concerned. They were raised in a culture in Israel that expected today to be like yesterday and tomorrow to be like today. Yet Jesus had come to shake up the status quo in every sphere of life.
How much of the unexpected happens in your life? Or are your tomorrows going to be like today? Is this a good thing? Is this what God would want for your life? If God did shake things up in your life, how would you respond? Like the disciples in terror? Would you see those changes for what they are, or would you think it was something bizarre like a ghost?
v. 27 – Immediately Jesus spoke to put their minds at ease. I am not sure that He expected them to react with such fear. He ordered them to “take courage.” Is that what you need to do as well? Courage is something you can summon at will and act accordingly. How courageous are you? With how much courage do you operate on a daily basis?
v. 28 – Peter asked for confirmation that the “ghost” speaking to them wasn’t a ghost at all, but rather Jesus, who He claimed to be. Peter knew that if it was truly Jesus, then Jesus could call him onto the water and he [Peter] could walk on it as well. What quick thinking on Peter’s part. While the others were still processing the moment, Peter summoned the courage to ask for the impossible. Peter was looking at what he had previously considered impossible and then decided not to be content just watching. He wanted to participate.
v. 29 – Jesus did not rebuke Peter for his request. He didn’t say, “This isn’t a show my friend. This is something that is reserved for me. You just stay in the boat. I am showing off what I can do for you to watch.” Instead, Jesus immediately told Peter to come on out.
Jesus is saying the same thing to you and me: “Don’t be a spectator, don’t be content to watch someone else do what others consider impossible. Go for it!” What does getting out of the boat represent for you today? Is it starting a business? Speaking before a group of people? Praying for the sick? Breaking with your family traditions to do what is in your heart?
At Jesus’ command, Peter got out of the boat, stepped into a raging storm and performed the impossible. Peter walked on the water, too. The storm and waves became irrelevant. The only things that mattered were Jesus’ word to come and Peter’s faith to obey.
What about you? Are you focusing on the storm or Jesus? Are you looking for where you can go or where you can be safe? Are you properly interpreting what Jesus is doing or seeing it to be a “ghost” – something that is unpredictable and fearful?
There are so many lessons to be drawn from this story of Jesus walking on the water. I urge you to consider this story seriously and apply the lessons to your faith walk today.As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.
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