Splashing One Step at a Time

Introduction

“If You Want to Walk On Water; You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat” That was the title of a book written by John Ortberb back in 2001. It was all about the faith Peter had that motivated him to get out of the boat when Jesus said “come” and walk on water.

Peter had the right idea, literally stepping out on faith as he stepped out on the stormy waves, in the howling wind and walking toward Jesus. What a great example of how we are to exercise our faith in Christ. No mater how rough the seas are, no matter how difficult life gets or challenges come our way, we need to step out on faith and trust Jesus! Right?

If we can just do that, then we can do great things for God. We can be victorious in whatever we do. And God will pour his blessings down upon us in such a way that not only will he receive glory, but we will be glorified as well. That is what faith is all about. That is what the Christian walk is all about!

And if you do that, and you sink in the storms of life? Well its not God that is weak. It your faith. That’s what happened to Peter, right? He was walking on water but then started sinking. It wasn’t Jesus that failed him, it was Peter letting the storms of life distract him from Jesus. Keeping his eyes on Jesus.

So when you walk out of here today and you determine your going to step out on faith and do something that has been intimidating you. If you fail, its your fault, not Jesus.

Well, that’s not so encouraging, is it. Where is the Good News in all that? Well, first lets answer a few questions about this story.

Jesus Had Compassion

Why did Jesus come to the disciples walking on the water anyway? It seems like, unless he was wanting to do something spectacular, it would have been more reasonable for him to meet them on the shore when they arrived. Gennesaret looks to be only about two miles from where Jesus put them on the boat. But then, there was a pesky storm.

While the disciples were on their way to Gennesaret, a storm came up. Storms came up very quickly on the sea of Galilee. And so when Jesus finished praying on the mountainside, he would have been able to see that his boys were in trouble. And he had compassion on them and came to rescue them.

That is one of the amazing characteristics about Jesus. No matter what was going on in his life, when he saw someone in need, he had compassion on them. It was true then, it is true today.

When we find ourselves in trouble, when the world hands us more than we feel we can handle, when we are at our wits end and ready to throw in the towel, Jesus who is present with us all the time comes to our rescue.

Jesus shouted to the disciples, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Actually, in the original language, Jesus didn’t say, “It is I.” Jesus said, “I am.” That’s the name of God, isn’t it? When Moses asked God who he should tell the children of Israel had sent him, God said, “Tell them ‘I am’ sent you.” And that is who Jesus is. The great I Am. Emmanuel with us. All the time, in times of pleasure and during the storms.

So when you find yourselves in need of strength, or power or wisdom and understanding; when you find yourself afraid, remember Jesus’ words, “Take courage! I am! You do not need to be afraid!”

To Help Faith Grow

Compassion wasn’t the only reason Jesus cam to them walking on water. We have to remember that during these three years the disciples traveled with Jesus, they were really in “disciple school.” Faith school.

Jesus didn’t just preform miracles to benefit those who received healing. He was teaching the disciples that He truly was the Son of God and that they could put their trust in him. Not only for salvation, but that they might live their lives to bring pleasure to their heavenly Father.

When Jesus told them to feed the 5000, they looked to the reasons why they couldn’t possible do that. They only had 5 loaves and 2 fish. But Jesus was teaching them that they didn’t need a lot to fulfill his will, just a simissive heart.

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Then they find themselves in a horrible storm, fighting for dear life. They stilled doubted. They thought they were seeing a ghost. But when he spoke words of encouragement to them, Peter responded with a mustard seed about of faith, “If it is your, tell me to come to you on the water.”

And even though he have very little faith, he stepped out of the boat and began to walk. It didn’t last long, but he did get out of the boat. He was growing in his faith. And when Jesus got into the boat and the storm died down, the disciple made a great confession of faith, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Now they had a long way to go, but they were growing in their faith, day by day, event by event. And that is exactly how we grow our faith as well. It doesn’t matter if you fail at what you attempt to do as long as you take courage, remember that Jesus is the great I Am, and keep going.