A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I tried out for the cheerleading squad.  Yes, I really did that.  Why?  My best friend, excited about being on the squad, encouraged me to try out as her partner.  As a shy kid at that time in my life, this was monumental for me.  My parents were shocked when I told them, but they allowed me to go to all the practices after school before the tryout event.  I was comfortable trying out for all things related to music, but this? This was way out of my comfort zone.

Those who coached us encouraged my partner and me.  “You can do this, it will be fun,” they said.  Our mentors said we had what it takes—whatever that was.  As a junior high student, I wasn’t really sure what it took to gain the approval of judges but I did what our high school cheerleader coaches said to do.  They must know—they’re in high school!  We practiced our routines along with all the required jumps that were challenging but doable.

The day finally came:  Tryouts.  We were very nervous and excited at the same time.  My friend was more confident than I was.  My thoughts were many as I waited for our turn to tryout, but I remember one overwhelming thought; why, am I doing this?  Do I really want to be a cheerleader?  We were up next.

We got into position and gave it all we had.  I really wanted my friend to do well because she wanted it so badly.  She did her part, I responded with my part.  Then we were to end with the big jumps.  She jumped.  I froze.  I couldn’t make the jumps I had practiced successfully for weeks. 

I will never forget that frozen moment in time.  This snapshot moment of failure to jump actually turned into a guiding mantra for my life—at least jump, even if it is not the best jump—jump!  My partner, my best friend, did make the jumps and was picked for the cheerleading squad.  I was extremely happy for her.  My only regret was taking my eyes off the goal.

Matthew 14:22-36, The Message

Walking on the Water

^22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

^24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared to death. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.

²⁷ But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”

^29-30 He said, “Come ahead.”

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”

³¹ Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”

^32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”

^34-36 On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

First, think about what Jesus did. 

Jesus, still grieving the death of John, his cousin and brother in God’s mission to save the lost, has just miraculously fed thousands of people with a small amount of fish and bread.  Now, he hangs back with the physically full people while sending his tired disciples on ahead. 

Jesus finally gets His alone time with God, His Father.  He spends most of the night talking with Him.  Imagine that conversation!  “So, Father God, you blessed the food and together we fed thousands, wasn’t that fun?”  “Now that we are alone, my heart remembers and grieves the demise of John.”  “Be my strength.”  “May your will be done.”  I am only imaging the words Jesus would say to the Father, for sure, but based on the character of Christ, He would be praying for John’s family and the people he just fed that they might know God and abide in His love.

As God comforted and strengthened his Son as they talked, Jesus was readied for the next opportunity to declare the glory and power of His Father by walking on the water, across a tumultuous sea, to join his disciples!  Honest prayer with God brings extraordinary results.  (Yes, pause and read that again.) 

Now, let’s think about what others did as a result of what Jesus did.  What we do in obedience to the Father affects what others do.  Peter, is the first to respond to the glory of God at work on the water, “I want to do what you’re doing!”  “Come on,” says Jesus.

Peter jumped! Jesus’ squad looked on as Peter jumped out of the boat to walk to Jesus on water—until the waves overwhelmed his confidence in Christ.  Can you hear the shouts of his friends bouncing around in the boat in the storm?  “You’re crazy, dude!”  Friends can also be distracters, right? 

Don’t you love that Jesus didn’t give Peter a lecture or watch him drown.  Instead, “Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand.”   

After saving Peter, Jesus gave him a faith reminder.  Peter’s experience affected all the students in the boat who did not jump.  Peter’s experience will be used to teach others later of the importance of focus. 

The glory of God demonstrated through Jesus prompted their immediate praise, “You are God’s Son for sure!” Ah, the confidence in Christ returns to the disciples who are consistently learning. (As are we…)

As failing to jump affected my life, Peter’s failure to walk on water successfully taught him a lesson that would affect his ministry given to him by Jesus—for the rest of his life!  Here are a few excerpts of what Peter learned and taught others from being with Jesus…

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are! —will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”  1 Peter 5:8-11, MSG

^“I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.”              2 Peter:1, MSG

“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God.” 2 Peter 1:3, MSG

“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.” 2 Peter 1:5-9, MSG

“So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11

“We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard—God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19-21, MSG 

MAKE THE JUMP!  Believe and be saved.  Repent of all sins and be set free from the entanglements of thinking about a past life.  Jump into a new life with Jesus!  Begin the adventurous walk with God in the unforced rhythms of His grace.  Be overwhelmed only by His love that goes deeper than the deepest sea.  All of me for all of you, dear Jesus.

Lord,

I have no regrets of coming to you, no regrets since believing you, no regrets for obeying you instead of others and no regrets for abiding in you.  The only regret I have is not coming to you sooner or turning my eyes on you when troubles overwhelm me. 

Through all the transitions of life, from childhood to adult, you are with me and you teach me.  When I am distracted, you draw my attention back to who you are and what you want to do in and through me.  When I fall, you pick me up, brush me off and then teach me another life lesson.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Continue to daily cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh, and feed my soul while restoring the joy of your salvation at work within me.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen