Impossible!?
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Part of the background of this is found in John 6.15 where the crowds were going to force Jesus to publically proclaim his kingship. This helps to see the contrast of what is taking place.
The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had just done. They said, “This is the Prophet for sure, God’s Prophet right here in Galilee!” Jesus saw that in their enthusiasm, they were about to grab him and make him king, so he slipped off and went back up the mountain to be by himself.
This is a story of growing in Christ.
This is a story of growing in Christ.
Last week we talked about going and our mission being about the work of Jesus to proclaim the Kingdom of God is found in Jesus. Yet, our “job” is not to just go but to grow.
Jesus wanted to protect his disciples.
Jesus wanted to protect his disciples.
He knew part of their growth in knowing who He is would be undone because of the reaction of the crowd. This is why we read in Matthew the forceful words of Jesus, “Immediately he forced/made his disciples to get into a boat...”
We need private time with the Lord.
We need private time with the Lord.
Being a follower and disciple of Jesu will require us to spend personal time with the Lord, we cannot get everything we need from a group setting. I’m a fan of small groups but this will only take you so far. In fact, I believe we all should be in some sort of small group whether that be a Bible Study, service group, or the like.
Storms/Struggles happen.
Storms/Struggles happen.
At no fault of their own these experienced fisherman are having problems while trying to get to the other side. It is between 3-6am, maybe some light is starting to trickle in but regardless life is tormenting them. In this setting this was not because of something they had done but the result of life being what it is. We can cause our own headaches at times but not always.
Christ is aware of our needs.
Christ is aware of our needs.
Jesus sees their need. Even from a distant, he sees their need. We may think he is far off but the reality is Jesus notices you. Jesus cares for you. Jesus loves you.
Jesus comes to us in our needs.
Jesus comes to us in our needs.
He doesn’t just leave us, or his disciples, to our own struggles and storms. Instead, he comes to us. Now, let’s be honest, not in the way they or we would expect. Yet, in His timing, in His way, He comes.
Jesus is “I Am”.
Jesus is “I Am”.
As the disciples spend more time with Jesus they are realizing the depths of this truth.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
This is said of the LORD in the Old Testament. Any wonder the disciples would use the book of Psalms to teach other Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. They had the Scriptures, the experience, and the Spirit to put them all together.
“Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
Here in Job we see God’s response to the struggles of Job.
Peter waits for Christ’s command.
Peter waits for Christ’s command.
I don’t want us to miss this part of the story, though we easily could. Peter responds by no longer being afraid but saying command me to come out. If you can do it, then I might be able to do it.
The impossible is possible.
The impossible is possible.
This is only true because Jesus commands him to come out on the water. Peter does not walk on water because he wanted to, or because he just went towards Jesus. In fact, in another fishing story we see Peter swimming to the shore when he recognizes Jesus. But the truth remains if Christ commands it, then we can do it.
We must take the commands of Christ seriously.
We must take the commands of Christ seriously.
Jesus saves.
Jesus saves.
Even when we doubt. Even when we have taken our eyes off of him. Even when we try to force him to do things our way. He saves. EVERY SINGLE TIME! This is grace.
Jesus wants our full attention.
Jesus wants our full attention.
The little faith of Peter very well may have been because he started to see what he was doing in the midst of the winds he had struggled and thought “this isn’t even possible.” It may have been because he looked down instead of out at Jesus. It could have been a lot of things. Jesus wants us to look at him, not out world, not our “successes”. Just him! This is the struggle of being His disciple.
Response: worship!
Response: worship!
Worship the one who not only calms storms but walks on water. As you grow in your faith and knowledge of who Jesus is, worship must continue. I would add, must grow! How has your worship grown since you first met Jesus? How has your worship grown as you have learned more about Jesus? If it hasn’t, this may be a problem.