Passage: Matthew 14:25-30
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Okay, okay... there's MUCH more here than my lame sense of humor. Don't give up on me just yet!
Ever had the opportunity (read: "unbelievable bad luck") to have to do something that up until the time the opportunity presented itself, was thought to be totally and completely impossible? I mean, this is the kind of thing that you would never even spend a minute thinking about... because it's simply too ridiculous a thought.
Like risk your life for that of a friend's by throwing them out of the way of the oncoming train - at the expense of possibly dying in their place. Okay, so maybe that example is a bit too "cliche'" for you... what about actually eating those brussel sprouts that on any other day, would never come within 3 feet of your mouth... but dear Aunt Marge is watching you ever so closely on this day!!
Peter had one of those experiences, as it is recorded in our text. The CRAZY thing is, HE brought it on Himself! Peter wasn't satisfied with the sheer terror of watching the Lord accomplishing the impossible... Noooo... HE had to call out to Jesus, and ask what must amount to being one of the all time, "foot in mouth" statements: "Lord, if it's you... tell me to come to you on the water."
Man, I would pay money to see that scene immediately following Pete's comment!! The look of utter shock on the faces of the other disciples would have been choice, but I can just see Peter himself SMACKING his forehead and thinking, "WHAT AM I SAYING!?!"
And now, think about this... what if it weren't Jesus? What if, as the disciples thought, it were a "ghost"? I mean the scene is all there... it's between 3:00 and 6:00 A.M.... it's likely to be dusky to dark... just perfect for a "ghost" encounter. (Where's Robert Stack when you need him?) Heck, if it wasn't Jesus... one of two things could have happened. It could have either bid Peter to come... after which everyone would have laughed at Peter's gullability as he jumped out of the boat and immediately had to dog paddle... Or, it could have remained silent, and I suspect everyone in the boat would have had to change their shorts!!
Enough speculation, though... it WAS Jesus, and Jesus DID tell Peter to, "come."
Here's where I am going with this... Peter was called by Jesus... and IMMEDIATELY, he jumped out of the boat, and started to walk toward Jesus!!
Think about this for a second. This is not rational behavior! If you would have asked Peter - at ANY other time - "Pete, can you walk on water?" - he would have laughed at you, and at the ridiculous notion of such an impossibility. BUT... It was JESUS who did the asking! God Himself bid Peter to accomplish the impossible! And God MADE THE IMPOSSIBLE - POSSIBLE!
If God asked you to do something that is traditionally thought to be impossible... would you, "snap to it?" For that matter, would you even "hear" the request?
In our modern society... in the day when proms and athletics and diplomas and degrees take precedence over most everything else in our lives... are we slowing down enough to hear what God is asking us to do? Or do we believe that while we are so busy, that God will simply refrain from speaking to us. He'll get back to us at a more convenient time...
No, the Word says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Jesus is knocking... right here... right now. He's bidding you to, "come." How will you respond?
Will YOU, "Bust A Move With Jesus?" Or will you be too busy... too involved. Will you miss the invitation altogether? I pray not, my friend. It is my prayer that you will repsond to the call of the Lord right here, and right now, even as you are reading these words, and the Holy Spirit is moving upon your heart to respond. Do it! Answer his call with ACTION!
Final Note: Peter allowed the wind, and the subsequent waves distract his ultimate goal. He took his eyes off of Jesus, and focused on the things that surrounded him. Peter took the authority right back from the One he gave it to... so that he could respond to the impossibility of the situation. What a joke! Only God can handle those types of things... let's remember that the next time things seem a bit difficult! God alone is the Master of the impossible!
Prayer: Lord, please help me to remember that *I* am not in control. Help me to allow You to be the One who bids me, and then makes a way for me to fulfill that call. And if there be any diversion... anything that would prevent me from hearing, or responding to Your call... forgive me of that thing... and remove it from my life in Jesus' name! Amen!!
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Eric Reamer is an evangelist, and full time Christian Illusionist. If you enjoy this devotional, please e-mail Eric at: Eric@IllustratedIllusions.com.
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