Water walkers

     In the book of Matthew, (chap. 14), we read the story of Jesus walking on water. Curiously, the story follows right on the tail of the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000. I think this to be significant. According to Matthew, Jesus' ministry and miracles to this point had been of a different nature. From Christ's birth to here, Jesus had proven himself to be many things, such as a teacher of scripture, a prophet of the coming Kingdom, and a miraculous physician. His miracles of healing alone set him apart as unique in the world. Quite a following had arisen around Him for the sake of healings and exorcisms. The very nature of the works drew men to Himself. His words were profound and moved men to seek Him and be near Him.
     The feeding of the 5000 was different. As I see it, it changed the dynamic of the relationship Jesus had with His followers. It was a calling out, so to speak, of those who might seek Him for a higher reason, and an exposition of those who were self seeking. He had reasoned with men and had compassion on them. He healed them of their infirmities and loved them. Aren't these the very reasons we are drawn to Him? Can we then follow Him when He calls us out for a higher purpose? Perhaps, we choose to settle for having our hearts touched and His compassion poured over our sick souls. Not a bad choice to be sure, but I think He is taking us further here. Those 5000 could have been sent home as the disciples suggested. Some would have been inconvenienced, some grumbling with hunger pangs, and others sad to have to go. However, Jesus chose to feed them. He certainly had compassion for their immediate need, but this, I suggest, was a time of culling of the flock. 
     Of all Jesus' followers, there were those who needed their needs met and their ailments cured. There were also those who wanted more. They wanted to know Him. They wanted to be like Him. They were willing to surrender and suspend all for Him. These were whom He was after. In John 6:26,27, Jesus offfers a rebuke to this same multitude for their seeking after a meal rather than He upon whom the Father has set His seal. In both accounts, Jesus follows the miracle by walking on water. The feeding, though, is itself a set up for the significance of the walk. Heretofore, Christ's love and compassion was the basis of His miracles. With the turning of 5 loaves and two fishes into a feast for so many, Jesus was now displaying His command of the elements of nature. He created matter where there was none. He confounded the laws of Physics.  This is not just an image of His ability to provide for those who seek provision. This is a display of His ownership of the universe, His ability to call all forces of nature and every molecule of existance to meet His command, and to do so to the benefit of those who love and follow Him.  This display reidentifies Him. He no longer can be seen as a profit, teacher and physician, only. He, by this, has shown that He is God. Holy. Above creation and yet present. This is the God we are to know. This is the God we are to aspire to, and surrender and suspend all for.
     The next evening we find the disciples in the boat. The wind had picked up and there were high seas. The disciples then saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. They cried out in fear, but He calmed them, reassuring them by His words. And then a profound event took place. Peter stepped out on the water. Peter was here, by my thinking, an everyman. Jesus had just that day displayed His Godliness and again on the surface of the lake showed His holiness. In all our culture, is there any expression which typifies implied holiness more than to say, "He walks on water"? Do we not discount the morality or goodness of a man by noting that he doesn't walk on water? Clearly we can see that Christ's call to Peter was to be like Him. Holy. Above creation, and yet present. Does not He call to each of us who seek Him for His sake to be like Him. Holy. Above creation, and yet present? Are not the results the same for us as they were for Peter?

 Matt 14:30, "But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'"

     To me the pursuit of sanctification is both a call and a reminder. We are called to be Holy. Scripture tells us time and again that God says, "Be Holy for I am Holy." So as we step out into a life of Holiness, remember that when we sink, and I believe we all will sink, we are to cry out for Him. He will assuredly stretch out His hand and take hold of us. We must step out into Holiness, for He has commanded it, (v.29), but never let any of us believe that we have succeeded. Any holiness we attain is by His outstretched hand.