Faith and Action!

I saw a video where people in our modern times are trying to walk on water.  If you don't believe me, go to YouTube and search for the terms "walk on water" and you'll see it.  The video I watched was of some who called themselves "professionals".  They had studied the concept and created special waterproof clothing, even testing the concept right down to the angle in which they "RAN" into the water to accomplish the feat.  The amazing part to me was that they thought they were successful!!!


I don't know about you, but for me, imitating Christ is much more than science, clothing, and concept.  Take a look at this passage from the bible:

Jesus Walks on the Water - Matthew 14:22-32 (NIV)

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”
²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹ “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

In the passages from Matthew, we see several things.  First, Jesus is a caregiver.   It is evident that the disciples had been in the company of Jesus for some amount of time.  We don’t know how long but Jesus “made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.”  What I’m hearing is that Jesus stayed behind and took care of things while the disciples got their “down time”.  Next, Jesus is a petitioner. Jesus went off by Himself and prayed!  We have no way (in this reading) to know what he petitioned for but I just imagine it included some petitioning for those guys on that boat!  Later, as Jesus walks on the lake, he exemplifies an encourager.  “Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.” He tells them. Easier said than done, I guess, but don’t you just want to shake some sense into them at this point!?!  Then, in spite of Peter’s attempt at “being Christ-like”, he became afraid and started sinking.  Enter….Jesus the Savior.   (On a side note, there is a difference between being a saver and a Savior.  I looked up the terminology.  What I found is that the difference is: a saver collects, a Savior rescues).  Some people will say that this is the point at which Jesus admonishes the disciples for their lack of faith.  But what I see and hear in this scripture is a saddened parent/friend.  He reaches out His hand “Immediately” and catches Peter.  Yes, His words indicated disappointment but His ACTION indicates LOVE!  The David Crowder band says it so lovely.  “Here is our King, Here is our Love, Here is our God who’s come to bring us back to Him”! (listen to the song here)

In summary, Jesus does not want us to simply scientifically figure out how to “Walk on Water”.  His example of behavior throughout this passage calls us into action on behalf of others.  As in the modern day attempts, we tend to justify our actions and fool ourselves into thinking our efforts are reasonable, warranted, or essential.  However, if we really analyze those efforts, we find that we have failed miserably at, not only interpreting His call but also in administering His command.   Friends, Christ is not about science, clothing, and concept.  He is about people and action.  May we never forget!