Let’s Be Reasonable (and stay in the boat)

It must have been a terribly scary experience for those men in that storm. They had been rowing and pushing against the wind and waves all night, and by three or four o’clock in the morning, they were still only half way across the Sea of Galilee.

And they were here only because they had done what Jesus had told them to do.

And then, one of them saw it. There, revealed in the darkness by flashes of lightning, was the figure of a man, not in a boat, but out on top of the water, walking across the sea. The men were very afraid, even thinking they were witnessing a ghost out on that storm-tossed sea.

But it wasn’t a ghost, it was Christ. He called out to them, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

When Peter heard this, he said something that I would have never thought to say. I doubt anyone else in the boat would have thought of it either. He made a very bold request of Christ, and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

What a thing to ask for. I’m sure he got some strange looks from some of his fellow mates.

Then something else very surprising happened. Jesus does not scold Peter or tell him something like, “Now, take it easy fella, let’s not be rash and get ourselves into a messy situation here. Silly Peter, you sure do mean well but, bless your heart, just go sit over there in the boat before you get hurt and embarrass yourself in front of all your peers.” No, He didn’t say anything of the sort. He simply says, “Come.”

Christ took him up on his bold, faith-filled, child-like request.

Now comes the real test of Peter’s faith. He has made a bold request, and Christ has graciously invited. If He actually goes through with this, it’s going to be risky business. It will totally be a walk of faith. No one knows better than Peter that Peter doesn’t walk on water.

And yet, Peter throws his hairy feet and legs over the side of that wooden vessel, places all of his weight on those feet, as he normally would on solid ground, and begins… walking on top of the water to Jesus.

Did he test the water with his foot before he made the jump out of the boat? Did he take in his surroundings and wait for the water to settle a little before making his move? I don’t believe so. Peter’s eyes, mind, heart, his entire being was focused on one thing at that moment–Jesus Christ. This was the only way Peter was going to accomplish something like walking on water.

Peter cannot walk on water. But with his eyes on Jesus, and the power of Christ working in him, Peter is doing what he normally could have never done. Many have heard about or even witnessed miracles. Few have experienced one.

This same man will go on to preach the sermon at Pentecost where over 3000 souls will come into the kingdom of God in one day. This man will become the leader of what we refer to as the early church in Jerusalem. And this man was not able to do any of these things, any more than he was able to walk on water. But with his eyes on Christ, and with the power of Christ working through him, things were happening.

Now, if you know the story, you know that as soon as Peter got his eyes off of Christ, he began to sink. The Lord knew He (and the others in the boat) had some growing to do in his faith.

There is such a lesson here for you and for me. First, we Christians should be making bold, faith-filled requests of the Lord. We need bold prayers for our families, our churches, and our nation. We need bold requests for the gospel to go out into all the world, being willing to go ourselves if called. We need fathers and mothers to boldly request to be what they need to be for their children and grandchildren to come. We need young people to make bold requests of God to be fiery arrows of truth and righteousness in this world, fighting against the pressures of peers, and of the world.

Second, we need to remember that not much happens in the Kingdom by “playing it safe.” When the Lord answers our bold requests, we know that we cannot do these things any more than we could walk on water. We must fix our eyes on Christ, take the step of faith out of the boat, leaving our comfort zone, abandoning every other source of confidence, and let Christ use us as His tool to accomplish His will in the world.

Though the storm may continue to rage around us, or those closest to us think we are crazy, with the power of God upon us, we are more than conquerors. Though we experience some setbacks, and at times wonder why the Lord would scare us so badly, we learn we can trust Him, and that He really does know what He is doing.

As far as I know, Peter is the only man in this world who has ever walked on top of water. And it came about by a bold request, and simple child-like faith in the only One Who could ever make that happen.

What boat do you or I need to step out of today? For you it might mean something as life-changing as going to the mission field. But it may also mean anything God is calling you to do that feels uncomfortable or scary. But there is a conviction in your heart. Some examples might be: repairing a relationship that is in your power to repair. Leading your family in learning God’s Word daily, which feels very uncomfortable for you. A sacrificial financial decision to give in a way that is definitely a stretch for you. Taking bold steps to be a witness for Christ to a classmate. Bringing more children into this world to raise them up for the Kingdom of God. Reaching out to someone who is new in your community or church.

You may say, “I can’t. It’s too much for me. I am not able. I have reservations.” I love the simple exchange that Winston Churchill had with one of his cabinet members at a key moment of decision making, when drastic action was about to be taken:

Halifax: “Prime Minister, I have reservations.”
Churchill: “Well, who is free of reservations?”

There is no point in candy-coating it; serving the Lord is a hard and often scary business. It’s truly an adventure. Of course there are going to be reservations. But there is no greater purpose in life! And there is great comfort in knowing that the power to accomplish the task is not in us, but in the Lord. It is up to us to boldly request, and then take the steps of faith–out of the boat.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

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