Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said. Matthew 14:28-29 NLT
Read Matthew 14.
How interesting to come upon a birthday party in the time of Jesus! I can’t help but wonder what a birthday party for a king would have been like around the pivot years from B.C. to A.D. We do get a glimpse of the party as the king’s step daughter dances for him and pleases him to such a point that he offers her anything she wants, even up to half of his kingdom. Of course, that is just a saying to mean that he will give her just about anything she could possibly ask for. I doubt he would really give her half of the kingdom! I wonder why her dance pleased him so? As his step daughter, I shudder to imagine!
So, what would a young, sensual lady who has grown up in the royal palace and could have anything she ever wanted, ask for from the king? A head? Eww!
That is right! Her mother, Herodias, had a vendetta against John the Baptist because he had spoken against her inappropriate relationship with the king. She had been married to his brother, Philip, but the king had taken her for himself. When John condemned their relationship, Herod and Herodias were livid! Herod had John the Baptist thrown into prison. However, that was not enough for Herodias. When her daughter asked her mother what she should ask for from the king, it was her mother who requested the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter.
Interestingly, when the king had heard of all the wonders Jesus had performed, his first reaction was that John the Baptist must have returned from the dead.
When Jesus heard about what had happened to his cousin, he went off to be alone for a while. As busy as Jesus had been, he didn’t have much of an opportunity to mourn. Before he had a chance to shed a single tear, he was surrounded again. However, Jesus didn’t get frustrated with the people for violating his personal space, but on the contrary, He had compassion on them and began healing all that were sick. Isn’t that something? Jesus was hurting for his cousin and friend, but it was more important for him to minister to the hurting.
Unfortunately, there was no Chili’s or Applebee’s in the town, and the people were very hungry. The disciples wanted to send everyone away to get some food, but Jesus had a different plan! No, it wasn’t the local pizza joint either! Jesus didn’t need anything because He can create something out of nothing, but He offered the opportunity for an object lesson along with the provisions. He asked them to gather what they could find, and all they had to offer were five loaves of bread and two fish. Now to feed 5000 men and their families!
What a miracle as the food just kept multiplying! I can imagine every time a disciple placed his hand in the basket to serve some food, they would be astounded that the basket never emptied. They feasted until they were satisfied, and then there were twelve basketsful left over! Oh my goodness! They ended up with more food then when they began, and even after feeding thousands! Such a cool miracle that shows the compassion and creativity of our Lord!
Perhaps the memory of this phenomenon will ease our own anxiety when God asks us to give Him our all. He can make something mighty out of our measly portion!
After this, Jesus finally had a moment to be alone. I can imagine how challenging that would be for Him when he would be mobbed by the masses everywhere he went! Jesus spent the evening alone praying until darkness fell. I mention this as an example to those of us who can’t seem to find time to be alone with our Lord. Jesus knew that his time on this earth was so short, and He had more to accomplish than anyone else on this earth ever has. Yet, He prioritized time alone with His Heavenly Father. May we never neglect so great a relationship!
Suddenly, the winds grew fierce, and the boat that the disciples were on began to be tossed around like a bouncy ball in the hands of a toddler! The disciples were in trouble, and they were afraid. Wait a minute; what is that in the distance? It’s coming right toward them! It kind of has the appearance of a man, but it is on TOP of the water! No human could possibly do that; it must be a ghost! At that thought, their fear began to rise exponentially.
It was Jesus! He spoke to them. “Do not be afraid. It is I.” Could there possibly be more comforting words? I love Peter’s reaction. “Jesus, if it is you, tell me to come to you.” Just like that – Peter began walking on the water toward Jesus. What faith and courage!
OK, most of us fault Peter at this point because his focus shifted to the wild waves, and he began sinking and calling out to Jesus. However, he was the only one who at least made the effort to step out! Jesus lifted him right out. Let us have the courage and faith Peter had to step out on the sea and trust Christ to bring us through. Sure, we may sink sometimes, but our lifeguard is in the rescue business!
As soon as they climbed aboard the boat, the storm settled down. The only reaction they could express at this point is total awe and the declaration that “You really are the Son of God!”
I am sure we all have moments in our lives that we need the touch that only the Master can give, and we are left with the same conclusion, “Yes, Jesus, You really are the Son of God! You are my God!”
