Sinking or Standing: Life Lessons from Peter’s Brief Walk on Water and more...

Sinking or Standing: Life Lessons from Peter’s Brief Walk on Water

Due to recent requests, please enjoy this leadership message written during my 2019 trip to Israel.

Kneeling on the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, I breathe in the aroma of this ancient body of fresh water. It’s surreal gazing out on this glassy sea, a sea that’s really more of a large lake. It’s surreal even being here in the Holy Land, on this same shore where Jesus was. The Sea of Galilee is one of my most favorite, tranquil places in all of Israel.

I bend down and cup the water in my hands. I let the chilly water slip through my fingers gently. My mind wanders to the Bible passages of Jesus walking on this water. Of Peter’s brief walk on this same water.

I stand up and walk over to sit on a rock on the shoreline. I open my Bible. The story of Jesus walking on the water is found in three of the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and John.

The Gospels to me are like different camera angles of some of the same amazing events of Jesus. Matthew is the only Gospel that records Peter’s brief walk on water.

Let’s set the scene. Jesus had just performed the amazing miracle of feeding the 5000+ people with merely a few fish and loaves of bread.

“When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who had come into the world! Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.’ John 6:14-15. ESV

Some Bible scholars and I believe that Jesus would have gone up onto Mt. Arbel, which is a gentle-sloping mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee. What a good example for us. Even Jesus quieted his soul and rested after doing a miracle. How much more then should we take time to be still after a flurry of activity in our lives?

I also like the Gospel of Mark’s perspective as the story continues.

^“Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” –Mark 6:47-52 NIV

So often Jesus shows up so clearly when we are “straining at the oars.” When have you experienced His presence clearly recently as you were “straining at the oars”?

Then good, impetuous Peter chimes in.

“’Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’

^‘Come,’ he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” –Matthew 14:28-33 NIV

What life lessons may we learn from Peter?

Stay focused on Jesus and keep your eyes on Jesus. As soon as we get distracted by the storms in life or other distractions, we can sink. What does focusing on Jesus look like for you?
When Jesus commanded Peter to come, he obeyed. Even though it made no sense, Peter did what Jesus said. This is what obedience looks like–doing what Jesus says. Are there any areas of our lives Jesus we are not obeying Him right now?
Faith is simply taking the next step. Peter sank when he lost sight of the next step. What next step has Jesus asked you to take?
Faith unleashes the supernatural. Let miracles happen. Lord, help our unbelief. Is there anything you need to be doing differently in faith to unleash miracles?
Fear will sink you. Is there any fear that is gripping and controlling your decision making?
A little faith is better than no faith. The other disciples in the boat apparently had no faith.

What is your boat?

May we learn from Peter’s courage and obedience.

May we get out of our boats–our comfort zones—and step out in faith. Be not afraid, friend.

Journey to the Cross, Part 5: He is Risen! Telling the News with Fear and Great Joy

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead…”

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell the disciples.…

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe ALL that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28: 5-7a, 8, 18-20.

Whether we are going quickly to tell people/disciples, make disciples, or both, go quickly with fear AND great joy! Happy Resurrection Day! He is Risen!

Journey to the Cross, Part 4: Silent Saturday and Four Lessons to Waiting Well

The Silent Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday seems to be skipped over. We want to skip over the agony and pain of Friday to quicken the miracle and joy of Jesus’ Resurrection, the event that defines us as Christians.

Now is the time to talk about it, talk about how to wait well in the silence. Each of us is waiting on something or someone.

Jesus was still and silent, after His agonizing crucifixion the afternoon before, with

Darkness falling over the whole earth;

the curtain of the temple tearing in half from top to bottom;

the earth shaking;

rocks splitting;

tombs opening;

dead bodies of the saints waking up and coming out of their tombs. (Matthew 27: 51-53)

The whole world was shaken. Sound familiar?

Jesus’ bloody body had been taken off the cross, wrapped in a clean linen shroud and embalmed with spices, “as is the burial custom of the Jews.” (John 19:40) Jesus’ body was laid in the new tomb of the rich man Joseph of Arimathea, which was positioned in a garden. (John 19: 40-42)

Even the minor detail of Jesus being laid in a rich man’s tomb in a garden fulfilled a 700-year-old+ prophecy. This is a photo from the garden in Jerusalem near the Garden Tomb where Jesus could have been placed.

“And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.” –Isaiah 53:9

Matthew is the only Gospel to mention much activity on the day after crucifixion.

“The next day, that is after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember how that imposter said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise. Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead, and the last fraud will be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.” –Matthew 28:62-66 ESV

What lessons can we learn from Jesus and the activities around His silence on Holy, Silent Saturday?

When you are in God’s Will, there will always be nay-sayers. It’s not surprising that the chief Priests and Pharisees weren’t silent and continued to bash Jesus, even calling Him an “imposter.” I love that Pilate said make it as secure “as you can.” Deep down he knew no big stone or guard of soldiers could keep Jesus from rising on the third day.
When Jesus seems silent and we wait, Jesus is still at work. Waiting is hard. Jesus is working as we wait. Keep persevering. “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14 ESV.
Experience peace and rest after the agony and before the miracle. I heard once the night is darkest right before the sunrise. Darkness and stillness precedes the miracle. The Gospel of Luke mentions rest after the crucifixion and right before the Resurrection passage that “On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandments.” –Luke 23:56
Prevent analysis paralysis. In the silence we can be tempted to question and doubt God and ourselves. Is God mad at me? What did I do wrong? Why doesn’t God do something about this? In the silence and waiting is where trust in God is strengthened. Faith is stretched. Miracles are coming. Wait well, friend.

I’m thankful God saw fit to insert a Saturday between our Easter Fridays and Sundays. May we enjoy the silence. The miracle of Resurrection is upon us.

Reflection:

–How do we respond to the waiting in our lives?

–Are we waiting well?

Renew:

–“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” –Isaiah 40:31

Journey to the Cross, Part 3. Good Friday and the Choice

Ironically called Good Friday, many consider it the most somber day of the year for us as Christians.

It was before 9am that morning when Pontius Pilate handed the badly beaten and scourged Jesus over to be crucified. As Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus’ heavy cross, Jesus began the agonizing climb to Calvary or Golgotha, the Place of the Skull.

“Here they crucified him, and with him two others–one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: ‘JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS…’John 19:18-19

The criminal on one side of Jesus threw insults at Him asking if He were Christ, why didn’t He save Himself and them? The other criminal feared God and rebuked the other criminal, saying Jesus had not done anything wrong.

The criminal humbly said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.’

Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise. ‘ “ Luke 23:42-43.

Like the two criminals, one on each side of Jesus, we are given a choice. Perhaps that’s why there were two criminals being crucified beside Him– not one, not five, but two–because of THE choice.

To accept Jesus as our King of King and Lord of Lords or not.

To ask Jesus to remember you in His Kingdom or not.

To hurl insults at Jesus or honor Jesus with humble praises.

“…Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.” –John 30b

The Greek word “Tetelestai” means “It is finished.” During New Testament times the word “Tetelestai” would have been stamped or written on business receipts to indicate that a bill had been “Paid in Full.”

The connection between this common business transaction stamp and the Ultimate Transaction Jesus accomplished on the cross was conveyed clearly in the Gospel of John with Jesus’ words.

Sweet friend, you are so loved. Jesus paid a sin debt He did not owe because we owed a sin debt we could not pay.

Have you humbly asked for Jesus to remember you as His and join Him in the paradise of eternal life?

Today is a perfect day to say a simple prayer to surrender and accept this free gift from death to life.

Friday’s here, but Sunday’s coming!

Reflection:

Where were you when you made your decision to accept Jesus of Nazareth as your Lord and Messiah? Please comment.
If you haven’t yet, please pray this prayer. Please message me of your decision.

Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.

Journey to Easter, Part 2–What is Truth?

Happy Holy Week! It was before 9am that “Good Friday” morning when Jesus was brought to Pontius Pilate. Pilate’s wife knew Jesus was innocent.

“‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release the king of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘No, not him! Give us Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.” –John 18:38-40 NIV

Pilate’s three-word question of “What is truth?” is a question I find myself asking over and over. As we experience the different issues in our country, much of the outcomes are based on opinion versus Truth. We are living today what Jesus did then. And Jesus is “the way, the Truth, and the Life.” John 14:6.

Pilate thought Jesus would go free. Guess what Barabbas means in Aramaic? “Son of Abba.” Barabbas means “Son of the Father.”

Friend, each of us is a son (or daughter) of the Father. That means all of us. We are Barabbas. Like Barabbas, Jesus was our substitute. He died for you. He died for me.

Sadly, some of the same people who waved palms of the crowd singing “Hosanna!” were the same peer pressured crowd who cried “Crucify!” on Good Friday morning, resulting in the pierced palms of Jesus’ hands. May we not be as fickle in how we treat people.

Pilate then handed the badly beaten and scourged Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus began the agonizing climb to Calvary or Golgotha, the Place of the Skull.

“Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise. ‘ “ (Luke 23:42-43 NIV).

As the excellent Leader Jesus is with profound discernment, He appreciated the thief’s humility and extended amazing, matchless grace and love to the thief. He gave Him the gift of eternal life, moments before they both breathed their last breaths on this earth.

Like the two thieves, one on each side of Jesus, we are given a choice. Perhaps that’s why there were two criminals being crucified beside Him– not one, not five, but two–because of THE choice.

To accept Jesus as our King of King and Lord of Lords or not.

To ask Jesus to remember you in His Kingdom or not.

To hurl insults at Jesus or honor Jesus with humble praises.

Have you humbly asked for Jesus to remember you as His and to join Him in the paradise of eternal life? Friend, if not, there’s a simple prayer at the bottom to pray and make the most important decision of your life.

“…Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.” –John 30b NIV

The Greek word “Tetelestai” means “It is finished.” During New Testament times the word “Tetelestai” would have been stamped or written on business documents or receipts to indicate that a bill had been “Paid in Full.” The connection between this common business transaction stamp and the Ultimate Transaction Jesus accomplished on the cross was conveyed crystal clear in the Gospel of John with Jesus’ words.

Sweet friend, you are so loved. Jesus extended tremendous grace and love to us all. He paid a sin debt He did not owe because we owed a sin debt we could not pay.

Recharge:

If you would like to welcome Jesus as the King of your life, pray with me this simple prayer:

Dear God, I need You. I am humbly calling out to You. I’m tired of doing things my own way.

Help me to start doing things Your way. I invite You into my life to be my Lord and my Savior.

Fill the emptiness in me with your Holy Spirit and make me whole.

Lord, help me to trust You. Help me to love You.

Help me to live for You. Help me to understand Your grace, mercy and peace.

Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Congratulations! Send me an email to danya.jordan777@gmail.com, and I’ll send you a free devotional book to encourage you in your new faith journey!

Reflect:

–What influence does a crowd make on decisions? Is the majority always right?

–Ask the question “What is truth?” daily. Remember that Jesus is the Truth and His Word is Truth.

–How are we like Barabbas?

–Which crucified criminal beside Jesus do you relate to?

–How have you received Jesus’ amazing grace and love recently?

Renew:

–Please read Psalm 22 and compare it to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John story of Jesus death and resurrection.

–“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations…They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn–for He has done it.” –Psalm 22: 27, 28, 31 (written hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection).

–“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” –Isaiah 53:5-6 (written 700+ years before Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection).

–“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect.” –1 Peter 1:18-19

Sinking or Standing: Life Lessons from Peter’s Brief Walk on Water and more...