The Sea of Galilee was roiling with storm.
"But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary" Matthew 14:16.
The men couldn't gain any headway, it was dark, and they were tired and wet. A form approaches through the storm. Understandably, they're scared. The lake has a total area of 166.7 km2 (64.4 sq mi) at its fullest, and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m (141 feet). * No man can walk across the waves of Galilee, let alone in a terrible storm! Impossible!
But, Peter, our brave sailor, who certainly knows no man can walk on water--seeing the miracle of Jesus walking on the waves, asks to walk to Him!
"So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus" Matthew 14:29.
With God's approval that they were in the storm in the middle of the lake, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water!
In another place, the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee in calm, shallow water, yet in opposition with God.
"After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias"cf John 21:1.
His previous instructions were "go to the other side", here Jesus tells the disciples to wait. (Matthew 28:10) They went fishing instead of watching, and Jesus arrived just as unexpectedly as He had in the storm. As soon as Jesus revealed Himself through a miracle catch of fish, Peter again gets out of the boat and goes to Jesus.
"Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment..., and plunged into the sea" cf John 21:7.
(The next verse explains they were only about 300 feet from shore.)
In the storm nothing was wrong. Jesus had told them to go out there. They're in God's will and yet in deep water. Peter got out of the boat to go to Jesus. When they're in calm, shallow water, yet out of God's will, Peter swims to shore, to Jesus.
Do you know what water you're in? How did you come to be there? By God's direction or your own initiative?
In a storm-tossed, deep sea, have you seen Jesus walking by you?
Or, have you gone fishing in the pretty lake contrary to Jesus' orders?
"But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary" Matthew 14:16.
The men couldn't gain any headway, it was dark, and they were tired and wet. A form approaches through the storm. Understandably, they're scared. The lake has a total area of 166.7 km2 (64.4 sq mi) at its fullest, and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m (141 feet). * No man can walk across the waves of Galilee, let alone in a terrible storm! Impossible!
But, Peter, our brave sailor, who certainly knows no man can walk on water--seeing the miracle of Jesus walking on the waves, asks to walk to Him!
"So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus" Matthew 14:29.
With God's approval that they were in the storm in the middle of the lake, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water!
In another place, the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee in calm, shallow water, yet in opposition with God.
"After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias"cf John 21:1.
His previous instructions were "go to the other side", here Jesus tells the disciples to wait. (Matthew 28:10) They went fishing instead of watching, and Jesus arrived just as unexpectedly as He had in the storm. As soon as Jesus revealed Himself through a miracle catch of fish, Peter again gets out of the boat and goes to Jesus.
"Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment..., and plunged into the sea" cf John 21:7.
(The next verse explains they were only about 300 feet from shore.)
In the storm nothing was wrong. Jesus had told them to go out there. They're in God's will and yet in deep water. Peter got out of the boat to go to Jesus. When they're in calm, shallow water, yet out of God's will, Peter swims to shore, to Jesus.
Do you know what water you're in? How did you come to be there? By God's direction or your own initiative?
In a storm-tossed, deep sea, have you seen Jesus walking by you?
Or, have you gone fishing in the pretty lake contrary to Jesus' orders?
- Either way, do you know you can get out of the boat and go to Jesus?
- Step from the first boat in the storm because you trust Jesus.
* Ask.com
- Step from the second boat for Jesus' loving restoration.
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