Experiencing the Resurrection by Blackaby Mel & Blackaby Henry

Author:Blackaby, Mel & Blackaby, Henry [Blackaby, Mel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Published: 2009-01-20T16:00:00+00:00

That’s how God works: taking people into impossible situations, then displaying His power in their midst .

Time after time, God took people into impossible situations and then displayed His power in their midst. That’s how God works .

PETER AND THE ABSURD

Let’s look at another significant moment, this time in the New Testament. In Matthew 14:22–33, we find Peter and the other disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee during a storm. They’re there because Jesus had earlier commanded them to get into that boat and cross to the other side.

It was now the middle of the night, and their lives were in danger. The waves grew higher, the wind was blowing stronger, and water began filling the boat.

Imagine what might have gone through the minds of the disciples. Why did we listen to Jesus? He’s only a carpenter, and we’re fishermen. We should have known better than to be out in a storm like this .

Scripture is very clear on this point: “Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him” (14:22). Jesus put them into danger—and didn’t even go with them! Well, that’s only half true. Jesus did come to them a bit later—walking on the water .

When the disciples saw a figure of a man out on the water, they were terrified and thought for sure it was a ghost. There was no other explanation. After all, flesh-and-blood people don’t walk on water.

Jesus knew their fear, and He told them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Immediately Peter responded with great courage: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Then comes this amazing statement. “And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus” (verses 27–29). Talk about the uncommon life! Nobody had ever walked on water, before or since this moment. Jesus had called Peter to come to Him on the water. Peter obeyed, and he experienced a miracle.

Remember, Peter wasn’t alone in that boat. All the other disciples were right there watching this scene unfold before them. But they remained in the boat while Peter was out with Jesus walking on the waves. He may have been a little crazy, but you have to admire his courage.

Maybe some of the other disciples were thinking, I could do that! No, they couldn’t. What Peter did takes faith —and their human reasoning wouldn’t even let them get out of the boat. Likewise, when Peter went back to human reasoning, he got into trouble at once. Taking his eyes off Jesus, he glanced at the storm and thought, What have I done? He saw the waves and began to doubt—and to sink.

But don’t you admire Peter? At least he had the courage to try! He loved Jesus and desperately wanted to be with Him. Surely Jesus was proud of Peter, as He reached out and grabbed Peter’s hand to rescue him.

At that moment, Jesus said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (verse 31).

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