Message from Joe Frost, Director of Technology

Matthew 14:20-33

They all ate...and they took up twelve baskets full of...leftovers. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Immediately, He (Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side while He dismissed the crowds.

After He had dismissed them, He went alone to pray...and the boat was a long way from land being beaten by the waves.

In the fourth watch of the night, nearly morning, He came to them walking on the sea...and they were terrified. But Jesus immediately said to them do not be afraid, it is I.

Peter replied, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." And Jesus simply said, "Come."

Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind he was afraid and as he began to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."

And Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him saying "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

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Jesus just fed well over five thousand people with a small basket of fish & a side order of bread.

And if His crew didn't get it passing out the food, they had to when the 12 of them picked up 12 baskets of leftovers - yup, there's something different about Jesus...

So, after dinner Jesus sends the 12 ahead of Him to the other side of the sea so He can say good night to the crowd and go off for a few minutes of alone time, to pray.

Nobody asks how Jesus will get there, no doubt they expect a boat, so when they see Him, barely, in the dark, walking on the wind tossed, white capped sea they think He's a ghost and just like at any good horror movie they all begin to scream.

Sure, they just witnessed Jesus perform the miracle with fish & chips, but this is hours later, it's still pretty dark outside, it feels like a storm is coming, they can barely keep their eyes open and suddenly this guy comes along side the boat walking on water, yeah it's okay to scream.

After they settle down a bit, Peter thinks it's pretty cool to walk on water and Jesus grants his request by letting him walk on water too, but remember it's still cold, dark, wet, and windy.

Peter steps out of the boat and doesn't sink, but that doesn't mean he's not getting drenched by the wind and waves and probably the second time he gets slapped in the face & eyes by the stinging spray he starts thinking maybe he should get back in the boat - and then he realizes the water has begun climbing over his feet and up his legs...he's sinking, and he starts to scream again.

But, remember, he's a fisherman. He can swim, but instead he screams to Jesus, "Lord, save me." And though there's much to be said in Peter's choice to ask Jesus for help rather than stripping and swimming, it's Jesus' response that stands out, "Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him" and lifted Peter out of the water and they got into the boat.

Jesus reached out and GRABBED Peter and kept him on top of the water until they got into the boat.

Jesus didn't have to grab Peter, but He did.

Jesus didn't have to spend hours saying good night to the crowd after dinner either... but He did. He cares. He's relational.

And, like Peter (and the other 11), even though Jesus may perform miracles in front of us or for us we too may still doubt, slip, sink, get frustrated... And then we hear that song, read that verse, feel that peace, and realize He cares enough to reach out and take hold of us, lift us up, and set us back in the boat, with HIM.

He cares. Trust Him.