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The following message is based on the Bible scripture found in Matthew 14:22-33 It begins after Jesus had told his disciples to get into the boat to go to the other side of the sea while he stayed behind to pray.
Then when the ship was in the middle of the sea, the wind rose and the waves came up and the boat was being tossed.It was late at night when the desciples thought they saw a spirit walking on the water and they cried out in fear. But Jesus spoke up and told them, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."Then Peter says, "Lord, if that really is you, tell me to come to you on the water."
And Jesus said, "Come."
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O.K. You’ve made the decision. You’re going to walk in Faith, trusting in Jesus, looking to him to meet your needs, not looking at those physical things going on around you, casting down your imagination, casting all your cares on Him. You’ve got the courage of David! You’re ready to go - never taking your eyes off your Lord and Savior - you get a firm hand on the wet, slippery, railing of the boat that is rocking from one side to the other, soaking you with salt water that chills you clear to the bone one minute, then pitches you up in the air the next. The ship seems to have no control and it’s taking in more water by the minute. You tighten your grip and swing one leg over the railing, the ship pitches again. Then a hand grabs you by the arm and you look into the panic stricken eyes of your dear friend, who screams to be heard over the roaring wind…"ARE YOU CRAZY!!
"What are you thinking of?!!! How do you know that’s Jesus?!! That’s just a figment of your imagination!! Would Jesus expect you to get out of a perfectly good boat and walk on the water just because we think that might be Him out there!! You’re not facing reality!!"
You understand and respect this man. He’s been with you through some tough times. He’s worked with you in partnership even before you started following Jesus together. Most of the time you were pretty sure he understood and was following Jesus closer than you were. But you also know that Jesus is standing out in the middle of the sea, in the middle of the storm and He’s the only thing around that’s not pitching and rolling.
You can see He isn’t even paying attention to the waves or the thunder and lightening. You saw Him smile at you when you hollered out, "Jesus! Is that YOU?" You heard His voice when He told you, just as He always tells you, "Be not afraid, it is me." Then some voice from inside you comes up and yells out, "If that’s you, command me to walk to you." You knew that unless He commanded, your body would refuse to do as He said - it always wanted to refuse to do what he said.
So He Commanded - and so you came.
Now your friend is joined by the others, reaching to hold you back, horrified that you’ll sink right to the bottom. Even though you’re the biggest and strongest, you know that no one could swim more than two strokes before he would be overcome by the waves.
You are in the water now and you can feel the waves crashing against you, but now you can see that the figure out there really is Jesus. You realize you’re STANDING in the water, not sinking as you expected, but as if you’re standing on firm rock.
You take a step, and you and Jesus exchange triumphant grins, you can see in His eyes the pride of a loving parent when His baby takes its first step. Jesus remains quiet and still, encouraging you with His smile and with His Love shining out from His face. You take another step, only dimly hearing the screams of your friends as the ship pitches again and almost lands on top of you, only barely remembering how wet and cold the water is. You feel warmed from the inside out.
You’re doing as Jesus keeps telling you, "Say what I say. Do what I do. I do only those things my Father tells me to do and I say only those things my Father tells me to say."
You take another step and you are filled with the wonder that whatever you are walking on isn’t even slippery! Each step is firm and sure and straight. This is much better than being on that ship! You don’t even hear your friends anymore. You felt their terror for you sake and you got out of the boat anyway.
You keep walking toward Jesus, getting more confident with every step. Surely some of the others have seen that you are doing as Jesus has told you to do and you grin at thinking they’re all out of that boat too and you’re up ahead of them all. You look around to share the knowledge of the fun you’re all having together.
But nobody else is there! You’re horrified to learn that you’re all alone out here with Jesus, even though you’re closer to him than any of the others. You look back at the boat to see if they all went down with the ship and you hear one of them scream, "Look out!!" You turn and look at the huge wave coming at you and you react as if Jesus wasn’t standing right there.
You’ve lost sight of Him, you loose your confidence, and fear hits you broadside.
You’re knocked off balance and suddenly you don’t feel the assurance of the rock under your feet. You turn back to Jesus as you feel yourself begin to sink into the water, the salt stings your eyes and He is merely a blur as you cry out, "JESUS!!"
Then you feel the warmth of His Touch as His hand grasps yours with a strength you will remember forever. You grab hold of his robe as you feel Him bring you up once again to stand beside Him and you hear Him say, with a loving chuckle in His voice, "Oh ye of little faith." And you remember when you’ve heard him say, "Even with faith no bigger than the tiniest seed, you can accomplish anything."
Then you realize, Jesus isn’t disappointed with you for sinking, He’s pleased because you listened to what He said and you were willing use the faith that came to you from hearing His Word.
As you and Jesus climb back into the boat, they stare at you in silent wonder and you can see the regret that they had never even tried to use the precious gift of faith that you used that day. From that day on you remember the joy and the special intimacy you shared with Jesus as you used your faith to walk to Him on the water and you know that as the years go by, you’ve planted that tiny seed of faith.
Jesus knew you were willing to try and He is pleased.
By the Exhortation of the Holy Spirit, and to the Glory of God.
Merrellee Moore - 11/25/97
