It happened like this. Crowds were following Jesus in hopes of seeing another miracle. Miracles are, of course, very cool, and the story is good for retelling for years to come.
Some people came because they wanted to find the Messiah. Most people came because they just wanted another good story.
On this particular day, Jesus had done a bit of heavenly mathematics. Subtract loaves from boy. Add thanks to God. Divide the loaves and fishes. Multiply the food so it's more than enough.
Twelve baskets were left over. People were thrilled. This was the kind of King for which they'd longed. They determined to make Him King by force.
They didn't know it yet, but you can't force Jesus to do anything.
He withdrew to the mountain to talk to His Father and get away from the people who were determined to mess up God's plan.
The disciples were used to Jesus and His mountain treks, so they climbed in a boat to go to Capernaum. It was dark and windy, and it had been a long day. They rowed for three or four miles before they saw something strange.
A man. Walking on the water.
They didn't know what to think. They'd never seen a man walk on water before, and it frightened them, especially as the water-walker drew close to the boat.
I imagine they turned away from their fear, but Jesus knew them, and their fears.
"It is I," He said. "Don't be afraid."
They looked up and recognized Jesus. I imagine them saying, "Oh, Jesus. You frightened us half out of our minds. Come on in this boat."
They moved past their fear and were willing to receive Him.
I've read that story several times recently. Every time, I wonder if I would have been willing to receive a water-walking Savior. Really. Even if it looked like Jesus, I might have said, "Just keep on walking, Jesus. We'll meet you in Capernaum. If it really is you."
Not His disciples. They knew Him. They wanted Him with them.
They were willing to step past their fear, the one thing that kept them from letting Him in their boat, and invite Him aboard.
I wish we always responded like the disciples did that night. Quick to move past fear (and all the other things that separate us from Jesus) and invite Him into our boat, our lives, our situations.
Generally speaking, we always have at least one thing that gets in our way. Whether it's fear, or control, or pride, or stuff, something gets in our way of abandoning ourselves to Jesus.
Imagine for a minute what life would be like if we relinquished control and let Jesus fully invade our lives. There wouldn't be a dull moment. When He walked the earth, Jesus was full of adventure, and He still is. He made the water His floor. He transformed time and distance.
Jesus made exciting things happen. He still does.
Today, let's choose to be willing. Willing to let our Water-Walking Savior into our boat. Willing to let Him take control. Willing to let Him direct the destination of our lives.
"But He said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' They were willing to receive Him into the boat an immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going." John 6:20-21 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Miracle-Making Master
#Jesus #Christian
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