And Jesus said* unto me
“Heather-Love, it’s time to get out of the boat”
But Heather said unto Thee
“What boat Lord?
“What boat am I in?
“And which side do I get out of?
“And are you really there?
“And have YOU really told me?
“Tell me Lord, which boat?
“Call me Lord, I need to know it’s really you”
And He said*
“It’s the Control boat Love.
“The one where you think you know how it goes.
“Where you’re trying so hard to make everything right.
“Where you think you know what is needed”
“Oooooh – that one Lord.”
“The one where I manouvre and metre, manipulate and wrangle. “
“Yes Love. That one. The ship of ‘Your Own Understanding'”
“Oh Lord I’m sorry. Yes.
“You will catch me won’t you… I know me too well.
“Yes – yes. You will catch me.
And Jesus who knew my frame and my fear, caught me with His hand and held me to His side. And we climbed up into a boat of new name.
Trust.
* Not an undible voice from heaven type deal, but an audible voice from a friend in harmony with the still small voice of Conscience and the Living Word.
IN WHICH PETER SETS A HELPFULLY HUMAN EXAMPLE
What happened before:
Matt 14:21 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
The focus story:
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
In this setting the disciples were already where Jesus had told them to be. They were already ‘in His will’ per se. Jesus knew the temperament of that lake. He knew what He was sending them into.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus knew their situation and came to them
Jesus knew their fears and called out to encourage them.
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Peter needed more reassurance. Peter knew he was where Jesus had told him to be. Peter had heard Jesus identifying call. Peter loved. Peter feared. Peter asked. Peter was answered.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Peter took his eyes off his Lord. He was distracted by his circumstances and he began to sink. But only began…
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter doesn’t drown, and doesn’t answer. Shame?
Relief!
Love.
Awe.
Worship.
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
THEY climbed into the boat.
Jesus AND Peter.
Together.
And then the storm stilled.
Together.
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
What followed:
35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.