Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them; “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Petter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Matthew 14:25-29
I’ve thought about this passage for quite some time. I was enamored by the acts of Christ in separating himself from the distractions of life to find a quiet place to pray — and not just for a minute, but for hours! Knowing Christ approached the throne for those He loved along with fellowship with His Father was for me a cause for pause. But the next course of events were absolutely stunning.
From a distance, Christ’s vantage point, the boat and disciples could barely be seen. Matthew tells us they were “already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves . . .” Then, the impossible unfolded.
Knowing full well they were no longer near the shore, Christ appeared to the disciples. As unexpected as this must have been, it was not unlike the Lord to teach through His actions and less so through His words.
When God appears in the midst of life events difficult to explain because it simply does not make sense, it is undoubtedly exactly when God finds a teachable heart. I’ve often heard that if you can’t explain it, God’s in it! This was so true of the moment Christ stood before them on the water in the middle of the lake.
It’s reassuring knowing God shows up to my events and teaches me simply by His presence of the Truth of His promises, the abundance of His love and the depth of His hope.
Thank you Lord Jesus for your willingness to seek the Father on my behalf and then pursue me, find me and call to me — right where I am. Good, bad or indifferent, it doesn’t matter the circumstance, what you think of me never changes, your call to me never ceases, your love for me runs deeper than my mind can imagine. I just cannot explain what it’s like when you appear!
For the grace of God ha appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the is present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14