Take Courage
The disciples were in the middle of a raging storm. They were terrified as their little boat was thrashed around by the wind and the waves. Afraid that they will surely drown, they see a ghost coming toward them. Through the screams of the wind and their own voices they hear the ghost speaking. They strain to hear him say, "Take courage! It is I" They recognize the voice immediately. It is I. I am He. The voice of I AM. Yahweh. The sound of breath. A whisper. Calmly speaking. Inviting. In the middle of the storm.
One of the friends, the one named Peter is so drawn to the voice- when he hears Him speak, he finds himself stepping out of the boat to come closer- drawn by the invitation. Icy water swirls around his feet- wind whips at his face- hair in his eyes and he speaks to the ghost. "If its really you....." he screams into the darkness. Filled with courage, he steps toward Jesus- eyes locked on Jesus' eyes.
Surely Peter will think of this moment when he hears the crow of a rooster at daybreak- 3 times- and once again looks through a raging storm to lock eyes with Jesus. Peter still asking, "Lord, if its really you....?" But his feet are still sinking.....and Jesus is still asking, "Why did you doubt?" Because he was bold and brazen Peter was filled with courage....but not faith. His courage wasn't enough to save him. When Peter began to sink Jesus said, "You of little faith. Why did you doubt?" and simply reached out His hand to save him.
Peter doubted who Jesus was not his own ability to walk on water. Its about Jesus not Peter. Over and over Peter is faced with the same question. Does he really believe Jesus is who He says He is. He is bold, daring, and impulsive. Lashing out with his sword in the darkness, cutting off an ear to defend Jesus. Hours later he cowers by a warm fire denying he even knows Him.
Standing atop a mountain along with a few other friends he has a vision of past and present. He is confused, and clearly struggling with the same question. Jesus stood before them, His face shining like the sun and His clothes glistening, talking with Moses and Elijah. All Peter can think to do is build a cabin so they can all stay there together. God himself speaks from the heavens declaring, "This is My Son whom I Love." and Peter and his friends think he is talking about John the Baptist.
Then there was the time by the shore of the lake when Jesus appears again. Peter remembers Jesus' words when they were coming down the mountain, "don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." Peter saw everything. He was there- an eyewitness- but he is still not sure if Jesus is who he says he is. When they had been all together in Caesarea, Jesus asked them who the people there thought he was. Jesus looked straight at Peter and said, "What about you? Who do you say I am?" Now, here he was sitting by the fire, sharing fish and bread again, and still pondering the same question. The same hand that pulled him out of the ice cold water, the same hand that broke the loaves and fish to feed thousands, the same hand that was nailed to the cross- by the hands of sinful men- like me and you- was now reaching out, inviting him to breakfast! This was the third time Jesus appeared to them since He was raised from the dead. They didn't dare ask "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Even Peter.
Years later it was Peter who wrote to those who believe in Christ, 'The end of all things is near. Prepare your minds for action. Be clear minded and self controlled so you can pray.'
When the storm is raging around us-
and we can hardly see-
and we're afraid we are going to drown-
and we hear the whisper-
saying, "Take courage, it is I."
Will we recognize the voice? Will we listen to the invitation?
Will we stand with the Savior-or sink?
