Getting Out of Boats and Such

This morning I am reading from the Gospel of Matthew 14:22-36 NIV:

[22] "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. [23] After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, [24] and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

[25] Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. [26] When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

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

[28] “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

[29] “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

[31] Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

[32] And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. [33] Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

[34] When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. [35] And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him [36] and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed."

There is so much happening here, its tough to focus on a single important point, so here are a few observations.

1. This whole thing was a setup by the Lord. He sent the apostles in the boat ahead of Him. How was He going to catch up to them? He knew what was coming, an was unafraid, and not willing that the Apostles would miss this experience.

2. They were doing something they knew (traveling by boat), but the Lord was going to grow their faith, and give them an encounter with the power of the Holy Spirit. They were struggling along in their own power and it wasn't going well, then Jesus came walking up and everything changed.

3. Peter was the only one willing to get out of the boat, or even really speak up to the Lord. My guess is everyone of them wanted to walk on the water too, but only Peter had the opportunity, because he requested it of the Lord.

4. The rest of the apostles missed the opportunity because they were mired in fear, overwhelmed by it. Fear is one of the enemies of faith.

5. Peter started sinking when he became fearful. Jesus asked him why he doubted and the root of the Greek word translated doubt is the Greek word that means twice. In other words Peter thought twice about what he was doing, and started to sink. I think Jesus was less rebuking Peter's doubt as He was disappointed in Peter. He had stepped out of the boat in faith, was making huge faith strides and then fear came in and caused him to sink. Regardless of any disappointment, Jesus immediately saved him and escorted him back to the boat.

If you have started out something in faith, but now are experiencing some waves and wind of opposition, do not stop, do not think twice and give into fear. The Lord won't let you flounder, but He would rather have you keep walking!

6. When the Lord stepped into their boat the opposing wind died down immediately. Nature does not resist the presence of the Lord. The breath of the Holy Spirit (Greek word Pneuma) is more powerful than the natural wind (Greek word Anemos).

7. The Father was glorifying Jesus in this instance. There was no way the apostles could witness this and think that He was an ordinary man. This is one of those miracles for which there is no natural explanation. The Sea of Galilee has a steady slope downward and at any point East to West it drops sharply to depths that more than 30ft.

8. When Jesus hit land people immediately recognized Him and started bringing people to him to be healed. All who touched even His cloak were healed. There was a strong Spirit of Faith rising up among the people concerning healing. It was awesome how people weren't satisfied with just keeping the healing for themselves, but immediately called everyone they and all who came were healed. Praise God!

Anyone of the above points is worth meditating on and letting the Lord speak to us. Lord thank You for the clear example of Your sovereignty over everything! You clearly do have great plans for us! Some of us just need to get out of the boat and trust, others just need to wait on the Lord's timing to free us from the opposing wind, and some of us just need Him to reveal himself to us in a more sovereign way.

Lord, Thank You for Your word which is alive and bringing life even in these dark days.