“… Jumping out of the
boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the
waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He
cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed
his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” Matthew 14:29-31 (MSG)
The call of
discipleship is to follow after Jesus, even onto the water. In a sense, Jesus
beckons, “Come closer to me. Be my disciple and learn the unforced rhythms
of grace. I am the only way, so I require you to focus exclusively on me in
your obedience.”
Then, to underscore
the need for this single-minded obedience, the Bible tells us that Peter
became distracted. As he sees the wind whipping across the waves, Peter takes
his focus off Jesus and he begins to sink into the water. His obedience is
now double-minded – and he provides a profound object lesson in what happens
when we try to serve two masters.
Here is the way of little faith: We want to walk on water; yet, we insist on
being able to focus on whatever we want — sometimes Jesus, sometimes the wind
and waves; sometimes Jesus, sometimes our careers and casual pursuits;
sometimes Jesus; sometimes “the sin that so easily entangles” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).
When we choose to
focus on our cares and worries, we elevate our anxieties to the same status
as the promises of Jesus. But, which is more important, which should demand
our greater attention – the ability of Jesus to care for us or the concerns
we have about our circumstances?
And so, rather than
obeying the commands of Jesus, we demand he tolerate our distractions and
double-mindedness. We live within a mythology that says we can somehow follow
after Jesus, yet pick and choose what commandments we will obey — and when
we’ll obey.
But, if we want to
walk on the water with Jesus, we must hear his directing us, ‘Don’t look at the
waves; look at Me.
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Saturday, January 31, 2015
What waves are you looking at? Don't look away from HIM
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