"Come" to Jesus

Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, "It’s a ghost!" They were so frightened they screamed. Just then Jesus spoke to them, "Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid." Peter replied, "Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water." And Jesus said, "Come." Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, "Lord, rescue me!" Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, "You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?" Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, "You must be God’s Son!" (Matthew 14:24-31, 33 CEB)

I can remember being a little kid in Sunday school and hearing this story of Peter walking on water.  When I was a little older, maybe 10, an old Christian band called "Audio Adrenaline" came out with a song with the lyrics "If I keep my eyes on Jesus I can walk on water."

I am not sure we understand this entire story.  Hell, maybe I don't even understand the story.  I don't think this is so much a story of the flashy attitude Jesus had.  I don't think it is a story which should focus our attention on two men walking on water.  I cannot begin to count how many times I've had people ask me "If I believe in Jesus can I walk on water too?"   

I received a new bible a few weeks ago and decided to start reading through the beginning of the New Testament.  So I started in Matthew and I read one or two chapters every morning which brought me to Matthew 14.  When I read this story I was not so focused on Jesus and Peter being able to walk on water as much as I was focused on Jesus giving Peter what Peter asked for.

Jesus was simply walking out to join the disciples.  The Bible doesn't say Jesus had an ulterior motive in making some teaching situation out of the whole experience.  I would like to think that is how Jesus operated.  Not as some marketing or business genius figuring out how to trap people into a situation where He could teach them something new.  I like to think Jesus organically developed people's words and actions into teaching scenarios.  Like this instance with Peter.

Jesus said "It's me."  He didn't say anything else.  Peter spoke out, "Lord, if it is You, tell me to come."  Jesus responds with "Come."

God not only gives us what we ask for, He also provides what we will need to complete it.  Jesus didn't only say "come", He also provided Peter with the ability to walk on water.

I believe it is easy to become too worried about what God thinks.  I heard long ago that God has given us a green light.  It is not easy to make decisions without consulting someone first, especially if the person is God.  I want my decisions in life to be validated with knowing or thinking I heard God say it was okay for me to do something.  I believe sometimes God simply says "come" and does not necessarily tell us how to come.  Peter could have swam to Jesus, maybe he could have thrown Jesus a rope and pulled himself to closer His side.  Instead peter walked to Jesus.  Jesus didn't tell peter to walk on the water, He just said "come."

Maybe God does not care how we get to Him, maybe He just cares that we come to Him.

Don't let fear of missing God deprive you of living a fruitful and productive life.  Choose to "come" to God and do so in any way that you see fit.  God will let you know if you are missing it.  If He is not telling you to stop maybe it is because He wants you to keep going the way you are going.

Get a dream, get a vision, get a goal, map your route and then tell Jesus to ask you to come.  The next step is simply stepping out of the boat and walking towards Him.