No Wind And No Distance

Everytime I read the account of Peter joining Jesus and walking on water I get something new and different.

"Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea." - Matthew 14:22-25 ESV

A 'long way' is polys (Strong's G4183) stadion (Strong's G4712). A stadion is about 200 yards away. So Jesus was far up and far away but came because the wind 'was against them'.

Maybe the disciples thought, 'Jesus is up far away on that mountain praying while we are battling to make progress.'

This next passage talks about Jesus present ministry as a intercessor...

"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." - Hebrews 7:25 ESV

He is up high and far away but in a moment He can walk up on the sea. The wind that resists us and hinders our progress does not hinder His progress as He bridges that far distance to get to us.

"But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.' And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' " - Matthew 14:26-30 ESV

What a picture of divine enablement. I don't know this doctrine as I ought to.

"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.' And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret." - Matthew 14:31-34 ESV

No wind. No distance.

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Drawn By The Father

I love the Bible! What a dance this next passage is of free-will and God moving and waltzing with a person's decision-making faculty. Hoping that a bond will form and remain.

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.' So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, 'I am the bread that came down from heaven.' They said, 'Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?' Jesus answered them, 'Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me - not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." - John 6:38-47 ESV

The Father draws a person close enough to hear the words and those words are like bread. Jesus Is the bread. He Is that Heavenly manna. But will we eat? It is our choice. Will we look and not turn away? I believe in this next passage Satan is counterfeiting the work of the Father.

"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, 'All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.' " - Matthew 4:8-10 ESV

I believe the Father draws us out of the forest of ideas and shows us His Son. We momentarily have an option that was not there a moment before and may not be there a moment later because we will again be living with a mind that is at enmity with God.

"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." - John 20:30-31 ESV

We were musing with this next idea on outreach this last Saturday.

"And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' ... And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." - Mark 10:17, 21-22 ESV

We know Jesus loves people but this is a very specific instance where the Bible says it explicitly. This man called Him 'good teacher' and used the Greek word for good that implies Heavenly good. I believe it was flattery but does Jesus look at this man and hear these words and say in his heart, 'Look. My Father Is drawing this man. He says things no one can know now.' This man was brought to the place of decision and Jesus saw that and loved him in part because He saw that His Father loved him.

"Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' " - Matthew 16:16-18 ESV

Peter was drawn by the Father and taught by the Father. The rich young ruler was drawn but turned away choosing to cling to his personal possessions.

We get a glimpse or glimpses and we have a real choice to make. We have that moment when a friendship could form but then off we go traveling in our own circles again prehaps never to see that person again.

"Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision." - Joel 3:14 ESV

We have this one day. We have this one life. What will we say about Jesus? Who is he? Was he just a man like us or was He the 'good teacher'? Was He manna from Heaven?

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Zebulun And Naphtali

Looking at the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali this morning.

The disciples were all Israelites and usually, we don't focus on their lineages. Jesus' bloodline is spelled out for us but that is not so for the other disciples but we do have clues.

"And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." - Matthew 4:13-22 ESV

Two sets of brothers... Zebulun and Naphtali. These tribes have long interesting histories. Here is something that is said of one of them.

"Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer." - Judges 5:14 KJV

The people of Zebulun had a gift for writing and Naphtali had artists.

"He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work." - 1 Kings 7:14 ESV

God used Peter and John to pen most of the new testament. Jesus picked fisherman but they came from a heritage that was great.

I don't know who your parents are or the heritage that you come from. It may be great or it may be quite lowly but light has shone into your life if you have believed in Jesus. You bring your family before God's throne when you come to Him. The gifts He gave to your fathers and mothers are manifested in you as you walk by faith.

"I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven," - Matthew 8:11 ESV

Many will recline at your table also.

It may not be easy to trace your family line but you represent all those that have come before you. Hold your head up high and worship with all that you possess. What you have came from someone as a gift. Let's give what we have been given back to God in gratefulness and thanksgiving.

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Useful People

This morning I'm reading Acts chapter 11 over and over again. God is sending unlikely people to different groups and it is putting a social strain on the culture of the Church.

"So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 'You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.' But Peter began and explained it to them in order:" - Acts 11:2-4 ESV

"Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch." - Acts 11:19-22 ESV

"So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." - Acts 11:25-26 ESV

Peter was sent to non-Jews. Groups were evangelizing the Hellenists (Greeks). Barnabas went to look for Saul and they taught this strange mixture of people for a calendar year.

In Acts chapter 11 verse 24 it calls Barnabas a 'good' man. The Greek word used there is Agathos (Strong's G18) and it is not talking about moral goodness. This word speaks of usefulness.

"So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul." - Acts 11:29-30 ESV

Barnabas was willing to go and rejoiced at the grace of God given to people. He encouraged people. He was willing to be the one to go to those in need or carry money back to the elders in Jerusalem. None of these tasks were beneath him.

I sit here thinking of the 'good' men I know. They go. They carry. They get. They approve and edify. They aren't morally perfect. They are spiritually useful because they don't let their flaws stop them from going and doing the next thing whatever that is.

Grace makes us glad and we become useful people who repent (that word really just means to turn to God) and do the next thing.

God give us a vision of grace so that we can live in flexibility to do the next thing... to change gears if we must or keep at it if that is what is called for. Make us useful without striving. Thank You God.

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Turning Aside

God will never be our accomplice. He won't be anyone's accomplice.

"One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." - Exodus 2:11-12 ESV

"And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.' When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' " - Exodus 3:2-4 ESV

We must turn aside to meet God. Repentance is the act of turning to God and in our turn to examine the mystery of holiness we are also turning away from everything else.

It makes me think of this exchange...

"Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' And Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' " - John 2:2-5 ESV

Jesus would not be Mary's accomplice and she seemed to know better then to impose her will on Him. She turned aside expressing the need she saw and God did things His way.

What a wonderful picture of what prayer can be like.

Then there is the picture of Peter denying Christ on the night of His crucifixion...

"And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, 'Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.' But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are talking about.' And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.' " - Luke 22:59-61 ESV

Jesus was in agony gazing at Peter from afar, loving Peter, but loving Him far away from Peter's sin. Jesus walked the road that would end in Him paying for all transgression. Not a sinner Himself. No never. But He became sin.

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

People may blame God for the sins of men because He forgives what no one else could forgive but His hands are clean hands.

Sin cycles can break when we turn aside.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10 ESV

We are not our sins. God does not know us after our sins. It is when we turn aside that we discover who we are. Mouthing words will not accomplish that. Only seeing Jesus makes that happen. He is the bush that burns and Is not consumed. I want people to see those flames reflected in my eyes.

This is important for us also. We need God to show us the line between advocate and accomplice so that we can remain advocates.

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Peter Is Transformed

"Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean."

And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man."

After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you." Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly." Matthew 26:69-75 ESV

What changed Peter from a man who would deny Christ to a waiter and a servant girl into a man who would die crucified upside down who would not even imagine any kind of denial. Record has it he chose to die upside down because he didn't feel worthy to die in the same way his Savior died.

What does that to a man?

Grace does. Grace expressed in a thousand different ways over many years. Grace, Grace and more Grace.

Regret would have killed Peter. Grace saved Peter. Grace Loved Peter. Love transformed Peter.

So it is with us.