Walking On Water..
While on the hillside with the multitude of well-fed people. JESUS noticed a tulmult of uprising. The crowd started to become excited, inticipation swelling. With the Jewish nation having been brought to oppression, during Roman’s ruling influence. The nation was searching for resolution to their chaotic living. JESUS was their solution to freedom. As, He had come to set those in chains to slavery free. But, the slavery was to sin, not to a dictated rulership. The crowd was pushing their way to crowning JESUS as the new king. Even, the disciples joined the agreement for the ordainment. In declaring that The Master was a rightful air to the throne of David. To proclaim Him the king of Israel. The people wanted to exalt their Deliverer; who comes clothed with The Authority Of GOD. In Christ’s Modesty and His Purpose; was not to accept this, in anyway. Calling His Disciples, JESUS bids them to leave in the boat to Capernaum. JESUS was to stay to dismiss the crowds. In His authoritive tone of command, He demands that His Disciples leave urgently. The crowd assumed their advancing position to crown Him. At His Rebuke; He stopped their progression. there were many, wishing to exceed to their deliverance. But, Christ sternly commands and the crowd dissopates. JESUS leaves the hillside, to a secluded area to pray to The Father. Pleading for the understanding of His Divine Mission to His Disciples and to men. The Saviour knew that His days of earthly ministry were ending. That few would receive Him as their Redeemer. HE prayed for the people’s salvation.
It hurt JESUS’s Heart. That the dominion of this world’s ruling or of any kingship, would persuade His Following Students. They were lost in the meaning of Christ’s Purpose upon this earth. It was not to justify man’s honor or living. HE knew that His Twelve would be pained and lost for some time afterwards. The reality would be received; upon The Gift Of The Holy Spirit, after Christ’s Resurrection. He knew they each were to be tried and most disappointed in a painful and humiliating manner. They were to witness His Crucifiction; His True Coronation, (act of royal crowning) instead of David’s Throne. The visions His Men held, were not of Truth or The Father’s Will.
The disciples had not immediately pushed away from the shoreline, as directed from Their Teacher. They awaited awhile to see if He would attend to their destination. The night was advancing, so they took afloat, sailing towards the other side, of Capernaum. They left more disappointed with their unfulfilled success of proclaiming JESUS as king. Unbelief was in their hearts and minds. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that JESUS was hated by the Pharisees, and were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with The Teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet them being reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could not accept. Hoping that JESUS would present His Authority to be seen, allowing them the freedom, of any ill reprehandment. Started questioning among themselves to JESUS’s True Identity. Their disappointment clouded their thoughts and was starting to enter their own heart. Even, after all they had seen and been taught by The Teacher. They started to doubt Him. There minds were as troubled waters, stormy and unreasonable. As, the storm of confussion was among the twelve. A violent tempest had been advancing upon them. They were unaware of it, until it was enveloping their boat. The prior hours had been calm. The gales were a total contrast awakening their spirit. Everyone worked together to keep the vessel afloat. It was only a short distance by sea to Bethsaida. But, the waves drove them far from their direction. They fought until they became totally discouraged, realizing their own helplessness. They longed for their Deliverer to arrive.
JESUS had not forgotten them. The Watcher on shore, watched as His Followers frantically fought the wave tossed boat. HE was everpresent in heart among them. But, waiting, till the full realization was accepted by them. They started to pray and ask for GOD’s Help. It was received and being delivered to their need. At the moment when they believed themselves lost and sought The Answer: through Him. They saw a preceeding gleam of light, revealing a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water. The One who was coming to calm His Men, did not recognize Him. They thought He was a ghost. They became over powered with fear. They lost all reasoning. They dropped their oars. The boat now frantically rocking side to side. In more desparation they cried out for their Saviour to come to their rescue. As He was walking upon the white-capped billows of the foaming sea., towards the men. They cry out in sheer panic. Their beloved Master speaks and His Voice silences their fears. “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.”
As soon as they could credit the wonderous fact, Peter was almost beside himself with joy. As if he could scarcely yet believe, he cried out, “LORD, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.” and He said, “Come.” Looking unto JESUS, Peter is walking securely; but in his self-satisfaction he glances back at the crew, his eyes are turned away from The Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves rolling high, and come between him and The Master. With his view being broken from the dividing waves, Peter’s faith diminishes, becoming lost and afraid. Peter begins to sink. The waters speak out death, but, Peter fixing his eyes upon JESUS, cries out for resolution, “LORD, save me.” Immediately JESUS graps unto Peter’s outstretched hand, saying, “Oh thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
Walking now, side-by-side with The Master, they stepped into the boat together. But now, Peter is subdued and silent. He has no reason to boast over his fellowmen, for through unbelief and self-exultation, he almost lost his life. When Peter turned his eyes; his focus away from JESUS, his footing became lost and he sank amonst the sea. When trouble falls upon us, how much we become like a Peter. We look at the waves (our condition or circumstance or surrounding elements), then we slide downward. We lose our Faith and assuredness in The Promise. JESUS did not bid Peter to follow him and then let Peter go. JESUS speaks, “Fear not,” “For I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passes through the waters(trials & tribulations), I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walks through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am The LORD thy GOD, The Holy One Of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isaiah 43:1-3.
In allowing Peter to experience this feat, for the realization to His Disciples and to us throughout history. In walking among the tempest storms within our discipleship, we must realize our dependance upon Christ. We can attain the neededstance to continued victory. “I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in GOD and in His Word.” Only through walking in our own accepted weakness, and reliance upon the steadfastness we can obtain in Christ, then we wuill walk beside Him. We then, will not slip and fall into the depths of death’s deceptions(the storm tossed sea).
No sooner had JESUS entered the boat, did the wind and waves cease. And immediately the boat was at the shore where they were headed towards. the night of horror was now the light of the daybreak. The disciples bowed at the feet of JESUS with thankfulness in their hearts saying, “Of a Truth Thou Art The SON Of GOD!”
Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:14-21
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Earth's Closing Hours 