HEALTH, HEALING, AND MIRACLES – PART TWENTY-SEVEN
Sunday – September 9, 2018, Elul 29, 5778
Greetings partners and friends of Eastern Gate Ministries International Inc. God is so very good! This study on Sunday’s is a wonderful faith building study, a study that seeks to align our thinking with God’s thinking. Until we think, talk, and act like God we are not going to get the God results that Jesus got and we have a responsibility to attain by faith. Last week I left off part way through the account of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. So, that is where I will now pickup from the Matthew text and then we will move forward.
Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
The disciples at first seeing Jesus walking on the water did not recognize Him and in fact thought He was a spirit, an evil spirit. They were immediately taken with fear. It seems they were unfamiliar with Him even though they were with Him all the time. Could it be that the relationship was all about them, not about Him? What about you and me? Jesus immediately assures them that it is He, Jesus. I wonder how many people or spirits they had seen walking on the water before this? I suspect the exact same number you and I have seen, zero. The phrase “Be of good cheer” is better translated as “Be of good courage” indicating they lacked courage, they lacked recognition of the Lord, and they were in fear. I suspect a perfect formula for disaster.
Then, Peter pipes up and asks a somewhat interesting question. If it is you bid me come to you on the water. Apparently, Peter is still not convinced it is Jesus but is willing to step onto the water at the bidding of anyone. Peter had faith that if that person, whomever it was, could walk on water than he could as well. How many times in our lives have we stepped out with faith in ideas and words we thought were the Truth but they were ideas and words of another? We and the Kingdom of God cannot afford for us to be slack concerning our relationship with God, we must be diligent, be Bereans (Acts 17:11).
The water here represents the Word of God. Jesus was walking on the Word of God (water) unhindered for He paid no attention to the circumstances. After all, what do the circumstances have to do with us? Our thoughts, our words, and our ways determine the circumstances that have an effect upon us. If those thoughts, words, and ways are the same as God’s then we are impervious to the storms of life. If we have a mixture (eating at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) then disaster awaits us at every turn. You know the story, Peter takes His eyes off of Jesus, the Word, puts his eyes on the circumstances and immediately ceases to walk on the water (Word) but is engulfed by circumstances. When Peter cries out Jesus has mercy but He did not say “wow, that was a good try Peter”. Jesus stated the obvious saying “O thou of little faith” and then asked him and He is asking us a very pointed question, “wherefore didst thou doubt?”
Does this lack of faith in spite of traveling with the Master contribute to them all fleeing (except John) when Jesus allows Himself to be taken to the Cross? Does this lack of attention to Jesus’ Words leave them in the dark with regard to the will of God and the mission of Jesus? What about Peter’s denial of Jesus? What about you and me, do we recognize Jesus in our midst? Can we articulate our cross (God given mission)? Do we know the will of God for us from His Word, or are we flailing about in the dark? The question we each must ask ourselves is this, are we immersed in our circumstances or are we walking in victory above our circumstances? The circumstances will present themselves but are they outside or inside us?
Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Exodus 15:26 (KJV)
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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