Faith Encounter: Matthew 14

The water gently beats against the boat slowly counting to the rhythm of each heartbeat of his sorrow. His chest feels heavy as he breathes deeply to steady his loss.  His pain is unbearable.  His sorrow unquenched.  He sees the future has now started its cycle of indescribable loss and redemption.   He glances to the side of the vessel and sees his marbled reflection in the water.  He is reminded that each of us are but a reflection of God’s glory.  This earth is only a temporary place for a few short years. 

Tears unwillingly fall down his cheeks as the pain of his loss overwhelms him.  The solace is just what he needs right now to regain his strength to face what the future must hold for him.  The wounds of his heart feel like they may never heal.  He has lost his friend, his cousin, his family -- someone that truly understood him and fully knew the mission that God had given to him.

The water taps against the sides of the boat.  It has been such a long day.  He wipes his tired worn brow sighing long and slowly yet once again. He questioningly peers up towards the heavens searching for an answer that will make sense to him, but he knows ultimately what has been designed by God for a higher purpose means more than the natural desire of his own heart.  

He scoops one hand of water to refresh his face from the tears that have stained his cheeks. He swallows hard and clears his throat, hoping that some material force will change and soothe the pain he is feeling inside.   His kindred spirit, his loving cousin is no longer on this earth, but is with his Father now.

In the distance, he can hear someone calling his name.  As the shattering noise evades his solace, he closes his eyes just for a moment and prays for strength to answer one more need. Understanding that his purpose is more than just that moment, he humbly glances over to the shore seeking the one who is calling his name.   

“Hey Jesus!  Is that you?  We’ve been waiting for you!  Where have you been?  Come to the shore so we can talk! Hurry up!  Have you heard the news? There is so much we need to talk about!” yells a faded shadow prancing with enthusiasm at the recognition of a good friend.

A smile gently glides across his face, his eyes tenderly respond as he raises his hand to acknowledge his long time friend and companion.  He shuffles in the wooden seat and finds the sculptured paddle placed methodically in the boat while he has been restfully floating in the silence of the still calm waters.

As he rows to shore excelling from the push and pull of the paddle against the waves that are shifting on each side of the boat, he moves purposefully through the waters.  In the distance on the horizon he can see that many of his friends and acquaintances are expectantly gathering for his arrival.

As the effort of his strength moves him to the shore, he can see that many people have come to visit with him.  People from all walks of life:   all in need, all seeking his mercy, all wanting his tender touch to heal their souls.

His heart aches and warms to their suffering.  He empathetically understands their grief and pain.  He looks to those who are wounded and broken from the trials of their journey that have left them in need of healing and comfort not only for their bodies but their spirits as well.

He takes a hand into his own. In the power of that moment, a person is made whole again and their life is restored to more than it once was:  many are healed, many are changed, many are renewed by the consuming experience of his love and concern for them.

As the sun begins to set on the tumultuous day, gentle and infusing hues of amber, rose, and sanguine span across the twilight sky. The people have stayed much longer than would be wise to travel home at that late an hour.  They have brought no food with them because they did not expect to have the desire to stay in the company of their beloved Messiah and teacher for so long.

One of his twelve very best friends anxiously runs up to him as a leader appointed by the rest of the group wanting a practical resolution to his concern, “Jesus, you got to tell these people to go home.  They’re hungry and we’ve got nothing for them.  They’ve stayed too long and I just don’t know what we’re going to do.  Tell them to leave.  We can’t take care of all of them. The rest of us are hungry too and as you know we can’t leave until they’re on their way home.  Tell them to go to the nearest town, there has got to be something there for them to eat for dinner.”

Pausing for a moment, Jesus wisely narrows his discerning eye intently focusing on his dearest friend, “Don’t make them leave” and then gently commands “You give them something to eat.”

Astonished and feeling that Jesus might have spent too much time in the sun out on his boat floating in the waters, shaking his head in disbelief responds “Are you kidding?  Do you realize how many people are here today? Between all of us, we only have 5 loaves of bread and ONLY two fish”.

Knowingly Jesus holds his hands out to them with his palms wide open in the reflection of the heavens above, requires them to  “Bring them to me”.

His faithful disciples willingly obey his one request. A few of them give direction and ask the other visitors to find a comfortable place to rest underneath the shade of the trees while they patiently wait for a response from their Messiah.

With a humble heart of hope, Jesus lifts his head in worship. He prays.  He blesses.  He breaks. And he gives.  Everyone is fully satisfied with the gifts of his blessing.

As soon as the meal is completed, Jesus insists that his twelve best friends go ahead into the boat ahead of him so he can take longer to comfort and speak with each one who has come to meet him before they return to their home.

After everyone has left him on the shore, he climbs to the side of the mountain again to be alone to quietly pray by himself.  His burdened heart is still heavy with the loss of his cousin, John, even though many thankful miracles and overflowing happiness has been expressed today before him.  But He is still grieving.

In the darkness of the early hours of the morning, he lays his heart bare before his Father.  In honesty, he expresses how much sorrow and pain he is feeling but also strongly affirms that his Father’s ultimate purpose is greater than his own.

The boat of friends has drifted out into the Sea of Galilee.  The darkened rock formed clouds huddle and swell as a terrible storm is rising.  The sweet smell of rain fills their senses as the humidity brings its heavy clogging presence to the atmosphere.  The waves rise and fall with angry vengeance rocking the unmanageable boat in resistance, refusing to sink into the depths of the caverns below the surface.

The experienced professional fishermen of the sea are afraid. Each uncharacteristically trembles in their uncommon fear. The disturbance is unlike one that they have seen before.  It is a cruel, dangerous, and unmerciful tyrant.  The tempest tosses the wooden vessel side to side panicked against the ominous and foreboding waves.

In the shadows of the magnificent bursts of perilous thunder and lighting, they see a lone figure walking towards them on the high glades of the waves as if they are only stairs moving him directly towards the tossing boat collapsing in the midst of the tragic storm.

Brutal fear enters every pore of their bodies.  They are scarred beyond reason. Peter screams in terror “It’s a ghost coming to get us! We are all going to die!”  The others scream in the immediate chaos and pandemonium of the violent winds.

In the midst of the terror, the voice of their dearest friend and companion speaks “Courage.  It’s me.  Don’t be afraid.”

Instantly Peter recognizes his friend and Savior, he stands up in the boat as his friends cling to the sides of the vessel for their precious lives.  Peter filled with boldness as his intently focuses his eyes on his well-known teacher, inspired by an idea from the vision of his Savior confidently states “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water”.

Calmly Jesus answers his request. “Come ahead”.

Without a second to spare, confident in the protection of his Savior, Peter jumps out of the boat and walks towards his loving friend.   As his eyes stay fixed on Jesus, Peter moves with ease among the waves of the storm.

His doubt traps him though, he looks down.  He takes his eyes off the One who can save him.  He looks down at his own feet for support.  He eyes have been removed from than the one who can support him eternally even on water shuffled by the winds and waves in a storm.

As a result, Peter begins to sink.  The waters begin to overwhelm him.  He is reminded of the storm that he has no power whatsoever to control.  He cannot change the elements of nature as they whip against his body and soul. Emphatically, he looks up again to his Lord, and pleads “Master!  Save me!”

Jesus doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t pause.  He doesn’t wait.  He answers the wholehearted plea of one who is drowning and unable to save his self.  He calmly reaches down with his healing hands.  He grasps Peter’s hand into his own as Peter clings to him.

 Jesus smiles and shakes his head at his dear once bold friend teasing him states “Faint heart, what got into you?”

Peter looks once again into the eyes of his teacher and knows that he is safe within His care. Both Jesus and Peter climb back into the common shelter of the boat.  The winds find their peace.  The thunder becomes silent.  The lightning hides again in the clouds that soon dissipate into the clear blue of the skies.

In response to their rescue, the disciples bow in worship right where they are.  They have seen the acts of their Savior and know that he will save and protect them even in the midst of the worst of circumstances.  In unison, they acknowledge with full agreement that he is the Son of God.