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The Men Who Never Walked On Water
(Matthew 14:22-33) The Men Who Never Walked On Water
Peter walked on water in a storm. He believed and desired to share in what Jesus was doing. He asked Jesus to call Him onto the waves and He said, "Come".
But what about his friends? Why didn't they get out of the boat? You would expect them all to be shouting, "Lord, can I come?" But they didn't. They seemed content to stay on a sinking ship.
John Hibbert
1. THEY WERE IN GRAVE DANGER
They were in danger of losing their lives. They were exhausted and at the mercy of the elements. Satan would love to destroy these men who were called to take the Gospel to the world. There were some good men on that boat, including James and John, the other members of the special trio who were so often privileged to accompany Jesus. How the devil desired to wipe them out! They knew they were in danger of sinking, but for some strange reason believed that they were safer in the sinking boat than joining Jesus and Peter on the water.
The safest place was not in the boat! The safest place was in the supernatural with Peter - holding the Saviour's hand!
2. THEY HAD NO PERSONAL EXPECTATION
They could see Peter walking on the water - but for some reason they had no expectation that they could join him. Peter stepped out ALONE to find Jesus in the storm. But the tragedy here is not that Peter stepped out alone, BUT THAT HE REMAINED ALONE. The church has always needed leaders, but the people must now follow them into the realm of the impossible.
YOU TOO CAN WALK ON WATER! We must all have a personal expectation that will cause us to stand on His word, take him at His word, and believe!
3. THEY WERE NOT PREPARED TO TAKE THE RISK
It was easier to stay on the boat! Human beings do not like to move out of their comfort zone! Some are so afraid of change that they stay where they are and die!
ILLUST: Wednesday 29th December 2010. New Kensington, Pennsylvania, four members of a family jumped to safety from the upstairs window of their burning home. A fifth, a teenage boy of fifteen years, was afraid of heights. Through fear he would not jump and he tragically died in the fire.
Will the church stay where we she is through fear? Or are we ready to tread where angels tread and walk where Jesus walks? Of course it's easier to stay where we are. It's crazy to take on the devil and the world - but there lies our destiny! We know our calling! We understand our destiny!
The only promises that God has given to us that will be fulfilled are the ones that we rise up and take. Some of us have begun to move in SOME areas! We must ALL move forward on ALL fronts, get out of the boat and prove that God is faithful.
In Mark's account of this story he says about Jesus "And would have passed by them." I wonder how many times He has "passed by us" hoping that we would join Him on the water and we have missed our opportunity?
"Lord, can I come?" I think I can hear Him saying, "Come."