BLOG: Encounters with Peter - Walk on water!

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

‍

ENCOUNTERS WITH PETER – WALK ON WATER!

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

Many of us have had a chance to enjoy vacation days around a lake this summer. The photo of Pastor Matt and me was taken on a very special lake – the sea of Galilee where 80% of Jesus’ ministry took place.

The disciples had just come through a ministry high where Jesus miraculously fed over 5000 people from a tiny lunch.  But as sometimes happens, a spiritual high is followed by a test. Jesus encouraged them to take a boat to the other side, a storm came up quickly, as happens on the sea of Galilee, and they feared for their lives. They were in the will of God yet faced this fearful situation. This can be true of us as well – we are walking with the Lord, but we find ourselves in a real pickle. What’s that about? As we read this passage, it was clear that Jesus wanted to test and deepen their faith – maybe that’s what he is looking for in us as well? But in this terrible time of testing, Jesus told them to take courage, because he was personally there and involved.  

This happens so often through the bible – God enters a fearful time and tells his people as a result not to fear but to trust. The frightened Gideon; the virgin Mary and her wounded fiancé Joseph; at the edge of the Red Sea; encouragement to Abraham – and so on. God has entered our crisis, so focus on him rather than the fear.  

As a fisherman, Peter was familiar with the sudden tantrums of this lake – he knew he was facing life’s end.  But when Jesus appeared, he wanted as a disciple to do what the Rabbi did, so he joined Jesus on the water! He was the only one who took Jesus seriously – and what an encounter! He caught a taste of what it is like for the One for whom the waves are a solid floor; who rules the rotation of the earth; who rules the planets and the steady march of time.  

James said that faith is a gift of God: “…when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” James 1:6.  God gives us faith – and more – AS WE USE IT.  

Where are you focusing today? On the wind and waves, or on the Master who is present? Let the preacher preach to himself – and focus afresh on the one who says –‘take courage for I am here with you!’

Be in prayer for our time on Sunday with Pastor Dave Hearn - that God would use him powerfully to give us a challenging word fit for our current times.

Pastor Leon Throness

‍