More Than A Ghost Story II
(from 2003)
Introduction
As we get further into the month of October, thoughts of stories
told around the campfire come to mind. One of the favorite types of ghost
stories are those that take place out at sea. Phantom ships that
appear unexpectedly with ghost crews that are condemned to sail the sea
eternally. The bible tells a tale somewhat like this but as stated in the
title, it’s more than a ghost story…
Walking
on Water
Imagine yourself in a boat with a group of friends in the middle
of a lake. As you look toward the shore, you see a ghostly figure standing
there. Suddenly the figure walks toward you right on top of the
water! It’s enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. The
disciples felt the same way in Matt. 14:24-26:
“But the boat was
now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying,
"It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.”
To allay their fears, Jesus called out to them in vs. 27, “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good
cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter though was not positive of
his identity and wanted proof, “And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord,
if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. So He said,
"Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on
the water to go to Jesus. (vs. 28-29)
Losing One’s Focus
Peter himself walked on the
water! The scriptures do not say how far of a distance he actually
walked but based on verses 30 and 31, Peter didn’t just stand on the water, nor
was he close enough to the boat to get back in: “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and
beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me! And immediately
Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of
little faith, why did you doubt?" Why did Peter sink? He was
distracted and lost his focus on the Lord.
In John 14:6 Jesus stated, “I am the way, and
the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” If
we keep Him in mind, we won’t sink. The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares
us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1-2)
The Burden of Sin
Sin is a very heavy weight on our
lives which becomes a burden. That’s why Jesus invites all to carry
his yoke, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matt.
11:28-30). Paul also wrote, “For we walk by
faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7). Peter did walk by faith as long as he
focused on Jesus. But Peter lost that faith when his sight was turned away from his Lord.
The Son of God
Returning to Matt. 14, in the
next two verses of the story, Jesus got into the boat, the wind stopped, and
the disciples worshipped him: “And when they got
into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and
worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." (vs.
32-33).
But the story doesn’t end there.
Mark 6:51-52 gives a little more insight to the lesson, “Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And
they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they
had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.”
Before he walked on the water, he
had just performed another miracle of feeding over 5,000 people from 5 loaves
of bread and 2 fish (see Mark 6: 33-44). They didn’t worship him then but
did when he walked on the water. Is there a difference? NO!
To the disciples, they perceived
the feeding of 5000 people as being second nature to the Son of God. But to
walk on the water is a true miracle! This is a
continuous problem that people have today. We sometimes underestimate the
power of Jesus Christ or simply take it for granted. We must believe that
He is the Son of God and that He can save all from sin.
Conclusion
Jesus is not a ghost as the disciples first perceived him. He
is very much alive today and seated at the right hand of the Father. The
power to overcome the grave is our hope in the resurrection and the freedom of
fleshly bonds. We must always keep our eyes fixed on the Lord to avoid the
temptation of sin (Col. 3:2; Rom. 8:6).
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