Matthew 14:25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
I’m not much of a horror film guy. I have seen too much in real life to know that real horror isn’t much fun. I don’t need another jolt of shock and surprise. My circuits have been overloaded and my fuses are blown.
But some people love horror films. They get a rush from the intensity and heart pounding soundtracks. They get a hit from the rapid changes in timing and plot twists and turns. That is what horror films are supposed to do.
I think some people like these types of films because they have such boring lives that they need some excitement. No judgment here. They aren’t boring people, but their lives are pretty routine. They want to feel something.
But some people like horror films because they have so much horror in their lives already. This jolt of adrenaline is at least in their control. They have to go to extremes to feel anything, because they are already living on high-test life. When life gets lived on high octane events, then horror movies are just another source of pump.
Can you imagine being in that boat on that day when Jesus came walking out to you on the water? You have had a long day of ministry beside Jesus. You have been challenged by what He said and did. Your emotions have been over the top with joy. You saw Him turn five loaves of bread and two fish into a meal for over 5000 people. You helped pass out that food. It had multiplied in your hands.
Then you were put into a boat and told to go ahead of Jesus to your next destination. He stayed behind. But you have spent most of the night pushing against the wind. If only the wind had been better, you could have gotten some much needed rest.
Perhaps you are thinking that it would have been better to stay with Jesus and make the walking journey with Jesus. It would have been easier than this battle with the boat. But the battle goes on with no end in sight.
And then the light of dawn starts to appear, you know that light before the light. Predawn light dials up slowly, almost imperceptibly. And then comes a shadowy figure walking on the water. It can’t be a person. People can’t walk on water. What is it? And angel?
They had no way of knowing that it was Jesus approaching them in that predawn light. How close did Jesus get to them before they guessed it was Jesus? Was there a misty fog that obscured their sight?
At some point they could see enough to allow themselves to believe that it really was Jesus. But how was He doing it? I am sure they had more questions than answers. Their eyes weren’t deceiving them. It really was Jesus.
Have you ever had moments when one instant it was not clear and the next moment it was clear? You inch closer to understanding without really understanding, and then all of a sudden, in an instant, you understand. A moment before you didn’t understand, but now you do. How did that happen?
Even now, as you read this account of what happened, you might not have moved from question to belief. The “how?” of Jesus walking on water might be getting in the way of exiting your comfortable boat and walking with Jesus. But if you will allow it, in an instant you will move from question to belief, just as Peter moved in that direction when he exited the discomfort of the boat.
I hope you can make that move without the jolt of horror.
The Arnold Journey 