An Unacceptable Alternative

Jesus fed 5,000 people without the issue of food prep nor delivery problems.  He just fed them in His own way, then he asked to disciples to get into their boat and move to the other side of the lake while He stayed by Himself to pray.  This was fairly usual for their friend to want some alone time with His Father.  The disciples expected Jesus to join them, soon, using another mode of transportation.  Perhaps Jesus could catch a ride on the next boat going across the lake.  He could also walk around the lake, or at the extreme, swim across the lake.
Jesus chose an unusual method of transport across the lake; He walked on the water.
After a short and excited business meeting, the disciples voted….that walking on the water was unusual and unacceptable.  Matthew probably reasoned that this was not a tried and proven method of travel.  James could have commented that the disciples had never done it that way before.
Peter said, “Lord, may I join you?  You are obviously doing something new and I want to be a part of it.”  Jesus’ reply was…..”Sure, come on out of the boat.”  And, Peter got out!
After reading this passage in Matthew and Mark and reading Oswald Chambers’ thoughts, I was impressed with this thought – Am I willing to allow Jesus to do a work in my life that is totally out of my sphere of understanding?  Out of my comfort zone?  Perhaps out of my denominational experience?
So….Ken said, “Lord, may I join you?”  And Jesus answers me each day, “Sure, come on…..”
Ken

Comments

Rachel said…
Good thoughts, Daddy-o. I had never stopped to consider the reactions of the other disciples. Even though God takes us WAY out of our comfort zones, the path he calls us to is usually one of a great adventure. Like Peter walking on water, we come through stronger and far more exhilarated than we would have if we had stayed in our box.

On another note, I'm sure Peter earned some serious bragging rights. I can see him entering a boasting session, listening quietly as the egos get bigger and bigger. At the final boast of the "biggest" man there, Peter softly says, "I walked on water."
July 30, 2010 at 8:24 AM
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