Mat 14:22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Examining the scenario we take note of the things that stand out;
The disciples are all in a ship without Jesus
They were there at the Lord's urging!
The ship is in the middle of the sea
The sea is rough because the winds are contrary
The boat is being tossed about on the sea
Jesus comes to them in the fourth watch of the night
Jesus is WALKING on the same sea that threatens their existence (His power over things that affect man adversely is clearly demonstrated)
These big men are fearful and express it in their cries.
Jesus identifies Himself and calms them
Peter request that Jesus command him to approach Jesus on the water
Jesus gives a specific command
Peter obeys and walks on water
Peter gets distracted by the stormy sea, becomes afraid and starts to sink
Peter cries out to Jesus for salvation
Jesus rescues Peter
Jesus chides Peter for his doubt
They both enter the boat and the storm dies
Out of this we locate several points of importance.
Jesus constrained them to get into the ship to get to the other side so they were caught in the storm through obeying Jesus.
Jesus comes walking on the sea toward them and they do not recognize Him but thinks He is a 'spirit' and they cry out in fear.
Jesus identifies Himself to His disciples and urges them to have courage and not be afraid
Peter requests that Jesus command him to approach Him on the water.
Peter responds to Christ's command, steps out of the boat, and becomes the first recorded disciple to walk on water.
Peter becomes distracted by the boisterous wind, lost focus and begins sinking and cries out to Jesus for salvation.
Jesus saves Him and points out the reason for Peter's failure..."why did you doubt"
Now looking at these points let us see if we can draw some spiritual truths from them.
BEING OBEDIENT TO THE LORD DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT WILL BE EASY GOING. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
JESUS DEMONSTRATES THAT HE HAS CONTROL OVER THE VERY CIRCUMSTANCES AND SITUATIONS THREATENING TO CONSUME US AND HE WANTS YOU TO TRUST HIM AND NOT BE AFRAID. HE IS MASTER OF THE WIND AND WAVES. Mar 4:39-40 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Psa 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. He is the Master of the elements and when HE commands it is so.
WHEN YOU ASK THE LORD FOR INSTRUCTIONS BE PREPARED TO FOLLOW THEM WHEN HE GIVES THEM TO YOU. There is a vast difference between feeling the solid wood of the boat beneath your feet and stepping out onto the surface of an element that your entire being and entire life experiences tells you will not support you just because someone tells you to. But what is important is that you recognize the voice of the Someone that is beckoning you to do so. You have asked Him to invite you to come to Him and He said Come. Now you have to make a move that goes contrary to all that you are accustomed to as being normal and act on His Word! Remember the miracles do not happen until you begin to take Him at His Word! Joh 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it...Joh 2:8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
DO NOT ALLOW COMPLACENCY, FEAR AND DOUBT TO PREVENT YOU FROM VENTURING OUT ON THE LORD'S COMMAND. So what if we begin sinking? if He commanded you then He will rescue you. You can step out at His command and experience if even for a short while the excitement of a miraculous moment that you can look back to with a sense of awe at His power and authority. But it does not have to be just for a moment!
WHEN YOU STEP OUT AT THE LORD'S COMMAND DO NOT ALLOW YOUR ATTENTION TO BE DISTRACTED BY THINGS HE HAS SHOWN HIS MASTERY OVER! We can become distracted by elements that break our focus by natural logic and worldly arguments bring doubts about what we are actually doing at His command!
REMEMBER THE WORD OF GOD ALREADY CONTAINS MANY COMMANDS FOR US TO FOLLOW AND OBEY WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT FOR HIS VOICE. There are many running around to hear someone speak a “word of prophecy” over them and blatantly ignore the inspired, infallible Word of God!
Many dream of doing what Peter did but refuse to make the step out of the normality of their regular lives and move into the excitement of obeying the Lord's commands.
It is not simply a change of geographical position but a change of spiritual position. Many go hopping here and there blaming everyone and everything when they cannot find what they are looking for in the Lord. We become quick to cover up our fears and doubt by criticizing others who have stepped out for the Lord.
Many will only point to Peter's failure as an example of acting rashly and showing off.
Few will recognize that Peter ACTUALLY walked on water!
Many unsung songs, unspoken verse, unwritten lines remain unsung, unspoken and unwritten because we feel too comfortable where we are and are unwilling to make the effort to get out of that comfort zone. Then we wonder why miracles do not happen in our lives.
We continue daily in our same routine. This is what we are familiar with
Just because we obey the Lord and do what he constrains us to do does not mean that we will be trouble free. We should however rest assured that He is aware of the situation and HE wants us to be aware that He is Master of the situation.
Sometimes in the midst of all our trials and troubles we fail to recognize when God is approaching us with the very elements that threaten us being under His feet!
Peter and the rest saw the Lord walking on the surface of the sea. Peter said Lord 'bid me Come to you on the water!' All the disciples heard the same Word that Peter heard...Come! Only Peter stepped out because it went past the physical and became supernatural in his heart. Peter walked where no mortal man had ever walked before.
Only Peter stepped out at the command. He looked for a connection and in fact demanded it. God spoke the Word, it made the connection in Peter, faith was activated Peter Walked! Do not diss him until you have done what he did! Many hear the Word few act on it.
In the episode of Peter walking on water we can learn some effective and powerful lessons. Walking on water is NOT normal. Remaining in the boat is normal. No man in their right mind will step out of a boat in a stormy sea and expect to walk on water. In the midst of a serious storm that threatens the lives of all in the boat we still choose to remain in the boat rather than step out..
It is not usual to just step out of the boat in the midst of a raging storm but these are NOT usual circumstances! There is someone a Person out there in the storm and HE is actually walking on the raging sea. Not only that, but the sea seems to have no effect on Him and does not bother Him at all! It is as though HE is taking a quiet stroll down a solid garden path with no thought of danger. And that's what makes the difference. Not the storm and the wind and the waves but Who it is actually out there. Here Him say "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid!"
All see the Lord and what He is doing! No ordinary man does that, which was why they at first thought it was a ghost!
All see the Lord walking ON the waves but only one man wants to emulate Him!
Only one man request to do what the Lord is doing. Maybe they wanted to do so as well but were waiting to see Peter fail in order to say Aha, I knew it! he had to go make a fool of himself...as usual! Maybe they were waiting to ensure it was safe while Peter tested it out!
How many times have we not found ourselves in the same position. Hearing God's voice but we are too fearful and too timid to venture, yet ready to become the critic of those who dare!
How many times we just hope to sit there quietly in our little normal corner and say this suits me just fine thank you! No I'll just sit here and not get involved! I WILL NOT make a fool of myself! I am just going to sit her in my own familiar spot...just me and my family and go quietly out after the final prayer to my regular normal life for the rest of the week. You may say I have enough challenges during the week and Sunday is my day of rest and quiet and relaxation for myself and family.
How many times have we not sat down at lunch or is it dinner and poke fun at those who are trying and when they begin to sink we nod our wise heads in a grave manner and say I told you so! He (she) is always making himself (herself) an idiot. Remember this, regardless of what you think Peter will always be able to say I actually WALKED on water, while you just sat there thinking yourself too smart to experience the same miracle Peter did! So he sank...yeah right! But did you walk???
If we expect a miracle to happen then we need to hear His voice and step out of our comfort zone (not that it is so comfortable after all)
We all have some place or position or pattern where we feel comfortable and have a sense of security…a place where we do not feel or look foolish. Stepping out at God's command may seem foolish and downright impossible at times if not dangerous to our supposed well being. Many times we hesitate then our "better judgment prevail and so we sit tight and alert waiting to laugh and criticize the one who actually stepped out at His command!
Remember this! On your own you are destined to fail! With Him strength is renewed, hope is restored, faith is released and salvation becomes a reality!
