Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It
“Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water. “Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." – Matthew 14:28-29
The art of illusion is to distract. To force someone to follow their logical path of knowledge and understanding of physics, and then represent or appear to do something that contradicts that knowledge. This leads the observing audience to believe the magician actually was able to defy logic and the unknown. One of the most memorable “tricks” I have ever seen performed was David Copperfield walking through the Great Wall of China. In the illusion he intends to draw the audience into believing that he can slow his molecular structure down enough to actually pass through the molecular structure of the stone, concrete and earth which makes up the great wall. Of course the observer on television is watching the whole thing through an illuminated shadow displayed on a sheet. We don’t actually see his physical body morph into something of a density able to pass through the wall. But that’s the art of illusion, and after all it’s really for entertainment purposes.
That brings us to walking on water. Illusionists have succeeded to demonstrate that it is very possible to walk on water. Because of waters clear properties, a piece of glass or clear plastic can be placed just under the surface and be completely invisible to the viewer. Yet to the magician, his feet are strategically and perfectly placed on the translucent bridge, giving the illusion that he walks on water. The New Testament account of Jesus walking on water, and the account here in Matthew of Peter walking on water was not an illusion though. It was not for entertainment purposes, nor to misdirect the thoughts of those observing. It was the act of obedience and faith demonstrating the power of the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth.
God controls all elements. He created them, knows where they have come from and where they are going. The question Peter poses to Christ is his acknowledgement that everything is within Jesus control, even the density of the water molecules that are crashing against the boat he is in. Peter doesn’t desire to walk on water to prove that he can and others can’t, but to prove that he fully trusts in the Lord’s divinity and power. By saying to Jesus, “Tell me to come to you on the water.” he is seeking that which is within the will of the Lord, rather than his own heart. Upon Jesus command and acceptance of Peter’s request, He issues one word, “Come.” In that one word all of man’s knowledge becomes obsolete. We know that physically it is impossible to walk on water. That one word was able to put change in place to allow for the density of the water to uphold the mass and density of the human body. By changing one or the other’s molecular structure for that instant in time, God demonstrates His incredible power over all things.
Peter must have stepped from that boat with complete faith that God can do all things, even allow him to walk on water, if God so chooses. With complete faith in His Master’s control of the elements, he steps from the boat, thinking completely illogical. As his foot presses upon the waves, his eyes are upon his Savior. One foot in front of the other, each step demonstrating more and more to Peter that God can do all things. But we all know the rest of the story. I propose that the logical mind of Peter had to be battling the impossibility of what he was doing. As he begins to think about what is happening rather than trusting in God’s ability, he begins to sink. By shifting his focus from the power of God to the worldly thoughts and his humanity, Peter fell to his own fears. In verse 30, we find Peter crying out to his Savior once again to “Save me!” too which Jesus immediately did. There was no I told you so, no condemnation. He didn’t allow Peter to tread water for a while and reflect on his lack of faith. No, Jesus immediately reached down and saved him.
We each struggle daily trying to allow Jesus to work within our lives. Trying to put aside our own thoughts and understanding of the world and allow Him to penetrate and take control. When we have our eyes focused on our own path in life and our own knowledge of the world, we are destined to fall. This story of Peter tells us that when we are following the call of the Lord, the opportunities for us to do the impossible is very real. It is no longer our control of circumstances that make things happen, it becomes His omnipotence and sovereignty that allow us to do great things. Like Peter though, we will always struggle with our own humanity and worldly things. They are physical, logical and within our realm of understanding. We have no ability to see the great things God has for us until we give up control to the One who can save us.
The art of illusion is to distract. To force someone to follow their logical path of knowledge and understanding of physics, and then represent or appear to do something that contradicts that knowledge. This leads the observing audience to believe the magician actually was able to defy logic and the unknown. One of the most memorable “tricks” I have ever seen performed was David Copperfield walking through the Great Wall of China. In the illusion he intends to draw the audience into believing that he can slow his molecular structure down enough to actually pass through the molecular structure of the stone, concrete and earth which makes up the great wall. Of course the observer on television is watching the whole thing through an illuminated shadow displayed on a sheet. We don’t actually see his physical body morph into something of a density able to pass through the wall. But that’s the art of illusion, and after all it’s really for entertainment purposes.
That brings us to walking on water. Illusionists have succeeded to demonstrate that it is very possible to walk on water. Because of waters clear properties, a piece of glass or clear plastic can be placed just under the surface and be completely invisible to the viewer. Yet to the magician, his feet are strategically and perfectly placed on the translucent bridge, giving the illusion that he walks on water. The New Testament account of Jesus walking on water, and the account here in Matthew of Peter walking on water was not an illusion though. It was not for entertainment purposes, nor to misdirect the thoughts of those observing. It was the act of obedience and faith demonstrating the power of the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth.
God controls all elements. He created them, knows where they have come from and where they are going. The question Peter poses to Christ is his acknowledgement that everything is within Jesus control, even the density of the water molecules that are crashing against the boat he is in. Peter doesn’t desire to walk on water to prove that he can and others can’t, but to prove that he fully trusts in the Lord’s divinity and power. By saying to Jesus, “Tell me to come to you on the water.” he is seeking that which is within the will of the Lord, rather than his own heart. Upon Jesus command and acceptance of Peter’s request, He issues one word, “Come.” In that one word all of man’s knowledge becomes obsolete. We know that physically it is impossible to walk on water. That one word was able to put change in place to allow for the density of the water to uphold the mass and density of the human body. By changing one or the other’s molecular structure for that instant in time, God demonstrates His incredible power over all things.
Peter must have stepped from that boat with complete faith that God can do all things, even allow him to walk on water, if God so chooses. With complete faith in His Master’s control of the elements, he steps from the boat, thinking completely illogical. As his foot presses upon the waves, his eyes are upon his Savior. One foot in front of the other, each step demonstrating more and more to Peter that God can do all things. But we all know the rest of the story. I propose that the logical mind of Peter had to be battling the impossibility of what he was doing. As he begins to think about what is happening rather than trusting in God’s ability, he begins to sink. By shifting his focus from the power of God to the worldly thoughts and his humanity, Peter fell to his own fears. In verse 30, we find Peter crying out to his Savior once again to “Save me!” too which Jesus immediately did. There was no I told you so, no condemnation. He didn’t allow Peter to tread water for a while and reflect on his lack of faith. No, Jesus immediately reached down and saved him.
We each struggle daily trying to allow Jesus to work within our lives. Trying to put aside our own thoughts and understanding of the world and allow Him to penetrate and take control. When we have our eyes focused on our own path in life and our own knowledge of the world, we are destined to fall. This story of Peter tells us that when we are following the call of the Lord, the opportunities for us to do the impossible is very real. It is no longer our control of circumstances that make things happen, it becomes His omnipotence and sovereignty that allow us to do great things. Like Peter though, we will always struggle with our own humanity and worldly things. They are physical, logical and within our realm of understanding. We have no ability to see the great things God has for us until we give up control to the One who can save us.
Prayer:Almighty God,
You are awesome in all ways. We do not have the ability to see Your majesty and the completeness of Your power without first seeking Your will in our life. We read in Your word of the miracles and power of Your hand and stand amazed. We glorify You in our praises and lift You up to be honored before all of mankind. Help us to see Your plans for us and help us to look past our limited knowledge and understanding and embrace Your omnipotence beyond our humanity. Through You we can do all things, and absent of You we will continue to struggle and need Your salvation. Help us to trust in You now. Amen
You are awesome in all ways. We do not have the ability to see Your majesty and the completeness of Your power without first seeking Your will in our life. We read in Your word of the miracles and power of Your hand and stand amazed. We glorify You in our praises and lift You up to be honored before all of mankind. Help us to see Your plans for us and help us to look past our limited knowledge and understanding and embrace Your omnipotence beyond our humanity. Through You we can do all things, and absent of You we will continue to struggle and need Your salvation. Help us to trust in You now. Amen
© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts
No comments:
Post a Comment