Big splash: Jesus REALLY believes in you
I am a foster parent to my sixth child who is now 15 months old. I know. You’re thinking, “Aww, the pastor the church in Harford is fostering an infant…how sweet!”
Whoa, wait. You ARE thinking fostering an infant is sweet, aren’t you?
Honestly, it is sweet. For almost a year now, the adorable, handsome, goofy, silly little guy has been with me and his five full siblings I adopted a year ago. This is totally huge, consuming, all out, right-up-the-middle love. It is awesome, grand, amazing, and joyful. And yes, kazow! No one can really tell you what this love is like.
However, I can tell you that being a foster parent involves red tape and maybe NOT so joyful paperwork. Then there are requirements. These include some 30 hours of perhaps not so interesting (but necessary) training.
What I can also tell you is there is an instruction manual on being a foster parent. Actually, there may be a dozen instruction manuals on how to be a foster parent. I may have to read those, too.
There are instruction manuals (or at least directions) on other things, including how to make toast. Wait. Oops. I am ahead of myself. There are instructions before the instructions on how to make toast. That’s right. There are instructions on how to plug in your toaster.
In the story I opened at the pulpit this past Sunday, no instructions are given. None. Nada. Zip. Zero. Not a single bullet point. It is just the word, “Come.”
I’m talking of what Jesus says to Peter who is in a boat with the rest of the disciples. Jesus gives just a single word of instruction. “Come.”
I repeat. I have a boatload (no pun) of work to do to become a foster parent for the second time. Instructions are literally everywhere. But this? This water walking thing? Yep. None. Nada. Zip. Zero. Not a single bullet point. It is just the word, “Come.”
Now that’s impressive. I have never waterskied before, but I imagine there are a few instructions—or at least pointers—to this water event. But Jesus just tells Peter to meet him out on the water. No raft. No bridge. No inflatable walking shoes. “Just meet me out here, Peter,” Jesus says.
The faith Jesus has in Peter to walk on water is remarkable.
And yes, Peter does it. He walks on water!
Few individuals are as closely associated with Jesus as his foremost apostle, Peter (or Simon Peter). Peter enters his Savior’s service near the beginning of Jesus’ mortal ministry. He continues to follow Jesus after the Resurrection and Ascension to the point of leadership during the Apostolic period of the early Christian church.
Peter’s path is not perfect. In fact, he suffers notable setbacks. Yet to understand the one who becomes the rock of the church means recognizing his tumbles as well as his triumphs.
Not long before receiving his call to spread the Gospel, Peter worked with his brother Andrew. Together, they cast nets and caught fish on the sea of Galilee. Scripture also mentions Peter and Andrew are from Bethsaida (John 1:44). And may have lived in Capernaum (Luke 4: 31, 38). Additionally, the Gospel of Luke indicates Peter has a mother-in-law which means he is either married or widowed (Luke 4:38).
I mention these details but gulp (sudden water reference), they don’t matter. The details of Peter’s life before he meets Jesus are sparse whereas his actions after becoming a disciple are well documented.
In fact, Peter’s name is mentioned more times in the Bible than the names the other 12 Apostles.
I share this because your details don’t matter either. Jesus is going to call you to do something. No experience is necessary. Instructions may or may not be given.
But just go. Just do it.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story of Peter walking on water, here’s a one sentence recap: Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and falls into the water.
Will you take your eyes of Jesus, even for a second? Of course not! You? Never! No way!
That’s fishy. Of course, you’ll take your eyes off Jesus. But just like Peter then, this is what Jesus will do when you follow His call and walk toward Him: He’ll reach out His hand and pull you up out of the water.
Modern-day followers of Jesus, get out of the boat of anxiety, fear, grief, anger, dismay or disappointment. Walk not only toward but also with Jesus.
Why? Well, for starters, Jesus really believes in you.
Leave a Reply