Matthew 14: 22 – 33 tells the story of Peter walking on water.Did you ever wonder why this story is in the Bible ? Was it to prove to the disciples that Jesus was powerful ? No! He had just fed the 5, 000. Was it because He couldn’ t get to the other side ? Others had walked around and surely there was another boat.Was it to start a“ walking on the water ministry ? ”No one has ever done this before or since.
This seemed so out of character for the Lord to flaunt His supernatural power.He had always fought the temptation to use His power strictly for the power.He had always fought the temptation to use His power strictly for the spectacular.I can understand why He would use His power to touch the woman with the issue of blood.Or why He healed the blind eyes and opened shut ears.I have no problem understanding why He used His powers to touch the lame, heal the leapers and raise the dead.These were all redemptive in nature.But why did He walk on the water ?
I hope to answer that question as we look at both the storm and the Savior.Through this month’ s article I want you to see that storms are plentiful and purposeful, but that our Savior is powerful.
Storms Are Plentiful – verses 22-24
We pick up this story right after Jesus had fed the 5,000. This was a tremendous miracle which created a lot of excitement and momentum for the cause of Christ.
But, right in the midst of this celebration Jesus puts His disciples in a boat and sends them away. The King James states that Jesus “constrained His disciples to get into the boat.” The Greek word is “parabiasomai,” which means to employ force contrary to their will.
The disciples weren’t wanting to leave. They had just been involved in a great miracle. They had become the stars of this event. In the John 6 account of this there was talk to make Jesus King. The disciples got caught up in this. They too were wanting Jesus to finally take His role as king and restore the nation of Israel. If this would have happened the disciples would have been His generals. They were wanting weapons, but instead they got oars. Rather than being sent to fight, they were sent to float.
Jesus knew how seductive the intoxicating the wine of newfound popularity can be. So,He sent them away because He didn’t want their perspective clouded.
Jesus not only made them leave a positive experience, He sent them into what at first glance would look like a negative experience. He sent them into a storm.
Storms Are Purposeful – verse 25-31
The Lord allows the storm to birth faith in us. Faith is often the child of fear. Do you think Peter would have asked to come and walk on the water if it had been a clear day? Peter had been toiling in that storm for nine hours. He was desperate, he knew one more lash from a wave and that boat could brake up. The boat was going down, but here comes Jesus and He is staying up. The safest place at that moment would be where Jesus is. As a result, Peter cries out in desperation “Lord if that is you then bid me come.” Often what looks like great courage is just a desperate act from someone who has no other options. Give a man a choice between a sure death or a crazy chance and he will take the crazy chance every time. Faith defined in this story is a desperate dive out of a sinking boat with a prayer that God would hold you up.
The Savior Is Powerful – verses 32-33
The storm clarified their perception of who He was. In verse 33 it says that when Jesus got in their boat the storm was stilled and in response to this “they worshipped Him.”
This is the first recorded time that the disciples worshipped the Lord corporately. They didn’t worship Him when He preached to the masses, forgave the adulteress, raised the dead, or even when He fed the 5,000. Only this time on the stormy sea. Why?
Because on this occasion they were the ones being saved. When you see God as creator,you will admire Him. When you recognize His wisdom, you will learn from Him. When you discover His strength, you will rely on Him. But when He saves you, you will worship Him.
A stormy time is a small price to pay for a clearer view of God. God will send you out into a storm and then let you get desperate enough to need Him, then He will come to you. God will use your storm as His path to you.
Jim Newsom
Diane’s Updates
Since we are talking about storms, we got hit with a big snowstorm last month and ended up with a foot of snow and ice. The house we now live in sits on 1.75 acres, and sits way back from the road, so our driveway is VERY long. We had to hire someone to come plow it as we couldn’t shovel with my ankle, and Jessica and Nick both having the flu. It took 5 days before we could get it plowed since they were so booked up. Although Ronan and Riker did get to have some fun sledding in the back yard. Here is a picture of them having fun in the snow, and a picture of Ronan in one of his costumes from the Nutcracker on Ice performances last month. He is the boy in the middle.
With my torn ankle tendon healing nicely, I’ve been able to get around a little. I still must be very careful especially with there being snow and ice everywhere. I’m hoping to be able to climb stairs soon, as I miss being able to serve at church running the video. It will be nice to finally be able to attend church in person again, instead of having to attend online!
We are still plugging away at going through and unpacking my boxes. Hopefully we will be done with them by Spring! It has been slow going due to me being laid up with my ankle injury.
Diane’s Exciting News!
My second children’s story book about “King Rupert” is finally published. Unfortunately,I forgot to have the link to purchase it added to our website last month. OOPS! I have since corrected that and you can now access it from our website.
