Out of the Boat Thinking

Out of the Boat Thinking

Good Morning Friends,

I’ve heard a lot of conversation on the passage about Jesus walking on water that has focused on Peter, who finds himself sinking into stormy seas when he begins to doubt Jesus. But if we only focus on the moment that Peter sinks, we will have missed the most wonderful part of the story. I want to encourage us to put the failure aside for a time and look at the promise. Peter walks on the water. Here we experience a new nature, a new source of power and a new relationship, but to do that Peter and we too must use a little Out of the Boat Thinking.

Scripture: One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (NRSV

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8:31-39 (NRSV)

As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.  Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.  But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come ahead.” 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?”  The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”

Matthew 14:22-33
(The Message)

Message: Trouble is temporary but then so too is the flesh. We are divided creatures. Still as Christians we can be certain of a future glory in heaven. We can have faith friends strong enough to get us out of the boat and onto the water because God’s Spirit prays for us perfectly even as Jesus calls for us to “Come ahead.” God is working in every situation for the good, revealing His plan for all Christians to be glorified. This is the miracle of walking on water. Here we are to know that God is for us and not against us. Know that there is nothing that can condemn us when Jesus calls. Know that nothing can separate us from God’s love when Jesus is present. Know that if we respond in faith to the call of Jesus miracles can happen but that first we must risk to think beyond the practical and common sense and safe things of being in this boat of ours. Now understand that our faith makes no sense to people still sitting in the boat, still sitting in the pews never having been sent out. Friends, babies born to virgins, empty tombs, choosing death in order to live, ruling by serving, and being first by bringing up the rear doesn’t make sense. It sure doesn’t make sense to step out of a perfectly good boat at the height of a storm but that is what we are called to do and it is here that life begins anew. It is here we discover that it is not risky at all to trust Jesus. Friends, if you all want to walk on water you have to think out of the boat.

Pray we appreciate the life and power of the Holy Spirit each and every day. Pray we understand the innocent music of God as we rage against life’s entropy. Pray we love beyond our impermanence. Pray we call out…shout out for others to be with us in a future as we have been called. Pray we extend the transient experience of this life with the love of eternity that empowers us to walk on water. Pray we trust God and expect promised blessings to overcome not just our anxieties but the very reality of being in the flesh. Pray we reach beyond human reasoning and do great and amazing things thinking outside the boat. Pray we set free our Moorings and set sail. Pray we step up and out hearing the call of Jesus.

Blessings,

John Lawson