Its All Wind and Waves and Saving Grace
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for today. Take away any distractions that might hinder my attention to your Word.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there all alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from the land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn 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 strong wind and the waves, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
REFLECT:
Jesus did not initiate the invitation to get out of the boat, Peter came to that on his own, and Jesus matched it. It is wet, it is cold. Peter had not expected to get wet or cold. After all he was supposed to be walking on water just as Jesus was. Instead, he was sinking lower and lower below the surface. Peter tried, and Peter failed.
In his failure, Peter sees his Lord reaching out a hand just for him. Then Jesus raised Peter up from the depths of the sea and exclaimed, "You have so little faith!"
Consider what Jesus was saying.
Wow! You actually walked on water! Congratulations! I am so proud of you for trying! That took boldness and character! You were the only one who stepped out and tried! There Peter is standing in the boat, cold and dripping wet, but elated. Jesus' touch does that to us. It makes us forget any discussion of failure, and instead his touch helps us see more potential in new things. It empowers us to try and survive failure.
APPLY:
What if it's our failures and our sinking in the midst of the miracle that provides the greatest opportunity for Jesus' deity to shine? What if, when our circumstances get fearful and threatening, we ask Jesus to identify Himself by calling us into it. Then, at his beckoning, we run to him, out into the wind and waves, so he can bring us back to safety. Jesus' touch is a lifesaving grace.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, you are in my midst, a mighty one who saves. What joy fills my heart. Amen.
WORSHIP: