More Food from Galilee

4/16/09 More spiritual food from Galilee.
Would you believe there’s a Galilee Grill in Dallas and it has a buffet each weekday? That’s what I feel like I’ve had as I have been intrigued by all the teachings that occurred around the Sea of Galilee---a buffet of life lessons. Of course, my favorites involve Peter because I can so relate to his good but faulty intentions, his impulsivity and his blunderings. Son, Buddy said that, like Peter, I “have had to learn to keep my mouth shut.”
Peter went fishing “in the deep” at His Master’s bidding and he also had a faith walk in the deep with His Master. "In the deep" seems to be where our faith is tested and our trust is nurtured.

Following the miracle of the loaves and fishes Jesus performed a second miracle to deepen His disciples’ faith. (Matthew 14: 22-34) Again, Peter was involved in a big way. According to Dr. Constable’s notes, there are two kinds of storms: storms of correction when God disciplines us; and storms of perfection when God help us to grow. (www.soniclife.com)The disciples were about to enter a storm of perfection on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had departed to be alone and pray while they, at His bidding, were proceeding across the lake. Sounds like “into the deep” to me. According to my Ryrie Study Bible notes, the time frame was somewhere between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. or the fourth watch (v.25) according to the Roman division of watches. I don’t know about you, but for me things that occur in the wee hours always seem a little worse and more fearful.

During this time while the boat was “battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary,” (v. 24) Jesus came walking to them on the water. When the disciples saw Him, they were frightened and cried out in fear, “It’s a ghost.” (v. 26) Maybe the dark of the night combined with the fog/mist/rain of the storm obscured their vision.

Immediately, (I like that adverb when it relates to Jesus responding to me.) Jesus spoke to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (v. 27) Those words alone must have been comforting—knowing that although they were “in the deep” with the storm brewing around them, they weren’t alone. But Peter said, ”Lord if (since) it is You, command me to come to you on the water.” When the Lord bid him, “Come,” (v. 29) Peter got out of the boat (a real act of trust) and walked on the water toward Jesus. But seeing the wind,(storm) he became afraid and began to sink. (I guess he took his eyes off the Lord and began to refocus on his fear.) Before you condemn Peter, think how easy that is to do in your own life.

As Peter cried out for the Lord to save him, immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” This part of the story ends with all in the boat worshipping Him but it wasn’t the end of Peter’s story. You see even that little bit of faith that Peter had was real and the Lord continued to teach Him and “grow him” in his faith until such a time as He gave him the task to “Feed my sheep” and Peter began to preach the gospel. “And it shall be that everyone who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2: 21) His storm on the Sea of Galilee was a storm of perfection---a time of spiritual growth.

I see my MAC storm of cancer as a time when the Lord is helping me to grow spiritually---I hope the Lord sees it that way as well.