wind, waves, and walking on water

my thoughts on the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus

Anyone going through some hard times lately?  Got some storms raging in your life these days?  We rarely go through a week in this life-sometimes even a day-without some concern or another rising up to confront us.

 

I was reading about Peter yesterday.  There was a time when he and the other disciples were in a boat and a storm blew up.  This wasn't just any other day, this was immediately following the miraculous feeding of the 5000+.  These guys had to be on a mountaintop-spiritually-because of the wonder they had just experienced.  Yet here they were in the middle of the night and the wind begins to blow. (isn't that just like the devil?)  Jesus had sent them on ahead of him while He spent some alone time with His Father.

 

So here are these guys in a boat on a lake in the middle of the night and a storm blows up.  Here they are fighting the wind and waves when all of a sudden SOMEONE comes walking towards them on the water.  I don't know about you, but that would freak me out a bit, I mean water can't hold you up, its a liquid not a solid.  We have all heard of Issac Newton and the apple and that little thing called gravity that keeps us from flying off into outer space at any moment in time.  So here is SOMEONE defying that very law by walking on top of the water. (that right there will preach!)  Did the disciples know who it was?  The gospels tell us that they thought it was a ghost.  I mean, who else could walk on water, a mere man can't do that. (but SOMEONE could)

 

I love Peter.   He was so, how can I put it.......HUMAN.  He was always the first to open mouth and insert foot.  But in this story, God uses him for an important lesson.  Here is Jesus walking on the water and they all cried out in fear.  Jesus told them, "it is I, don't be afraid."  So here is Peter saying "Lord if its you, tell me to come to you."  Ok, right there I have to stop and talk about that.  Jesus is walking on top of the water Peter, have you forgotten that?  For you to go to Jesus that means you have to do the same.  You can't walk on the water Peter, I mean, it's water. ( i can almost hear Thomas saying this to Peter)  But Peter wasn't looking at the waves and winds, or even the water at this time.  He was looking at Jesus.  He was so focused on Jesus that he forgot that man can't walk on water.   He was so focused on Jesus that he forgot about the 'storm' in his life.  He knew if he could get to Jesus, that he didn't need to be concerned with the storm, and the wind and the waves that were blowing all around him.  He knew that if Jesus told him to walk on the water, he was getting out of the boat and doing just that. (no questions asked?... hmmmm)

 

So Jesus said just one word.  "Come."  Talk about testing your faith.  He didn't say 'if you do this, or do that, you can walk on the water to me.'  No, He simply said 'come.'  Jesus knew that Peter's faith was high at that point and that if he would only step out of the boat, he would be doing the miraculous right along with Jesus.  So what did Peter do?  Did he stop to think about the wind and the waves and that little thing called gravity that would surely cause him to drown if he tried this?  No, he simply got out of the boat and walked toward Jesus on the water.  As long as he had his eyes on Jesus, the wind couldn't touch him.  As long and he had his focus on the Lord, the water was as solid as the ground.  As long as he looked at Jesus, there was no fear of the waves. 

 

So here is Peter, walking on the water!  Can you imagine what is going through his mind?  He is looking at Jesus and his eye catches the waves rocking.  Walking on the water and he sees the wind blowing.  Suddenly he begins to sink.  Did the water become water again after Peter stepped on it?  No, it was water all the time.  But Peter wasn't focused on the water.  He was focused on the Man.  When he took his eyes away from Jesus and looked at his surroundings, he became frightened.  When he looked away from the Lord and looked at his circumstances, he was afraid.  Did the storm disappear when Peter got out of the boat?  Of course not.  It just seemed much smaller when Peter was looking at Jesus. (i feel a preach coming on!)  Why do our storms seem so small when we keep our focus on Jesus?  Because He is so big!!  He is so much bigger than anything going on in our lives.  He 'overshadows' any wind or waves that may be blowing our way.  He even stops the law of gravity when we need Him to!  Wow, what a powerful God we serve! 

 

So Peter began to sink, and what was the first thing he thought of?   Or should I say who?  Jesus.  The one he was walking to before the waves became so 'big' in his life.  The one he gave up his career to follow.  The one who just fed the 5000+ with a sack lunch.  Peter knew who to call out to in his time of need.  "Lord save me!"  he cried out and Jesus took his hand.  The Bible says 'immediately' He took his hand.  Jesus was right there waiting.  Right there ready to help in time of need. 

 

Why did Peter doubt?  I mean, he had seen the miracles.  He knew who Jesus was, no one else had ever done these things.  If I was Peter, there is no way that I could have doubted Him.  If I was a disciple walking with the Lord, no way could I have denied him.  Oh wait, I forgot.  I have seen the miracles.  (but Lord, i can't pay all these bills) Not only seen, but been healed personally.  (but God, my kids are sick!)  I have been saved by the blood of Jesus, the most extraordinary miracle of them all. (do I have to go to church today? I'm just too tired.)   And there stands Jesus, on top of the water, in the wind and waves waiting to take my hand; waiting for me to call out to Him in my time of need. Waiting for me to take my eyes off of the storm and return my focus to Him.  He is more powerful than any storm that threatens my life.

 

Now comes the most exciting part of the story.  When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  When Jesus stepped on the deck, the storm was no more.  He let them experience the storm.  We all will experience the storm.  But just at the right moment, He calmed the wind and waves.  They were no more.  He knows when we have had enough, and thats when He steps on the scene and says 'peace be still.'  Just keep holding on.  Just keep your focus on Him.  He is standing right there waiting to grab your hand before you go under.

 

What a mighty God we serve!!