Skip to main content

Walk on Water

When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
John 6:19‭-‬21 NIV

Two aspects of this selection of scripture make my mind race. First, I wonder how they could be frightened. When I put myself in their shoes I can understand maybe being frightened at first. Seeing what looked like a person's silouette in the distance and on the water would be uncomfortable. I'd certainly be curious and maybe a bit freaked out. However there is no doubt in my mind that when I made out who it was walking towards me, I'd be excited. I'd probably call out to them, "Hey Jesus! Is that you?"

I'd be excited to see them and mesmerized at what I was seeing. "That's my friend and he's walking on water! How is he doing that? I want him to teach me", I'd think. I'd wonder what the trick was and how he was pulling off such an amazing feat. It would be like learning that my friend Clark Kent was also Superman! I'd have question after question for my friend.

The selection ends in an odd and abrupt way. This is the second aspect that makes my mind race. It says after they overcame their fear they allowed Jesus in the boat. They reached their destination. They got over their fear, let Jesus in the boat, and ta-da they arrived. The journey was never about the destination, but the letting go of fear along the way. It was about trusting Jesus even when you can’t understand what your eyes are seeing.  

Isn't this the case for all of us? We let fear hold us back from really letting Jesus in. We know Him and He's our friend, but when something unsettling happens we let our emotions get swept away in fear. Yet, when we relent, surrender and let Jesus take over. Fear cowers in the presence of our Lord. It is powerless to a person whose identity and trust are in Jesus.

Fight the fear by allowing Jesus in your boat. Get mesmerized by his walking on water and be brave enough to ask him to teach you how to walk on water with Him. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do the Work

Sometimes I sit down to write and it just seems like I am trying to write with a pen without ink. There is simply nothing productive coming from the activity. Other times, God just pours it out on me. The ideas flow and the message comes together with ease. More often than not it's the former rather than the latter. It seems God likes to make us work for it. The ones I have to work a bit harder on become the ones I like the most. I think we appreciate the things we have to work for more than the things that come easy. Our LifeGroup recently read about the Miraculous Catch of Fish. You know the story where Peter and his buddies have been out fishing all night and came back to shore completely empty handed. That next morning, Jesus asks them to take him out in the boat. Once out on the water, He has them put the nets back down and they bring in loads and loads of fish. So many fish that two boats almost sank.  I guess Jesus could have just made the fish jump into th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week 4: Strawberries

This week I had the chance to come through on a promise I made to one of our regular ships. When they were in port last we were hanging out in the break room with the crew. Somehow we got on the subject of strawberries, Florida strawberries of course. I made the bold statement that Florida strawberries were the best. Trish followed up by clarifying that Plant City’s are the best. She had a point that is hard to argue with. In the discussion, I told the seafarer that I would bring them some strawberries next time they were at Port Manatee. Sure enough the next time they were in port I ran to Detweillers, first thing in the morning, and picked up a half of a flat of some of the most beautiful strawberries you've ever seen. They were big, red, perfectly placed in the container in a neat and orderly fashion. They looked magnificent. As we approached the ship, the seafarer whom I had made the promise to waved and said, “You remembered!” After we boarded the ship, we t...
Post a Comment
Read more