Come

The story of Jesus walking on the water to come to his disciples out on the lake is one that is quite familiar, yet in rereading it this past week I found fresh encouragement there. According to Matthew's Gospel, Jesus has just finished feeding the 5,000. It is late and he sends his disciples on ahead of him in the boat to cross over to the other side while he goes to a solitary place to pray. Much later in the evening he comes out to the boat, walking on the water. Like any rational human would be, the disciples were terrified, thinking he was a ghost. But, the Bible says, "immediately (Jesus) said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Surely, there must have still remained some doubt and fear in all their hearts, but Peter boldly says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." I find Peter's reaction, in the midst of the fear and craziness of this situation astonishing and full of faith. He was so locked in on Jesus that it didn't matter that what he was doing was scientifically impossible. He saw his Lord doing the impossible and believed that at his word, he too could do the same. Jesus simple response to Peter's request is , "Come." One word, yet so powerful and rich. Jesus is eager to have his friend and follower come to him. I am sure he was even thrilled to see the faith demonstrated by Peter. Of course most of us know what happens next. Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and sees the wind and the waves and immediately begins to sink. Jesus rescues him and after getting back into the boat says to Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

I hear in these few words spoken from Jesus to Peter, words also spoken to me in this season. First is a word of invitation. Jesus beckons me, even longs for me to come to Him. He wants me to not focus on the outward struggles and storms that surround me now, but to simply fix my eyes on him and move towards him. He is waiting and eager to calm all my fears, to give peace that passes all understanding and power to do things unimaginable.

Second, I hear the longing voice of Jesus, inviting me not to doubt but believe. I don't think the tone of Jesus' voice to Peter was one of castigation or condescension, but one of longing and love. In the same way, as he asks me why in the times of struggle lately my faith has been derailed by the externals around me, he doesn't chastise me and kick me to the side. No, he does exactly what he did for Peter--he reaches down into the deep to pull me up again and invites me once again to simply "Come."