Walking on Water

Mark past couple weeks:  12 sent out, returned, off for some R & R
Crowd interrupts, Jesus teaches, heals, feeds (5000+)

NOW = Evening!  Mark 6:45-52 - (4th. watch = 3 - 6 AM)  (ghost - not Holy Spirit)  with Matt. 14:27-33 - Peter walking on water.

Question:  Why didn't Mark include Matthew's account of Peter walking on water?
Probably because Peter didn't want to "blow his own horn."   Mark is commonly believed to be writing Peter's memoirs.

Today will approach the Passage with questions:

START WITH THE DISCIPLES:

Where are the disciples?  in storm, in the dark, in trouble, in a mess, "in the same boat" - - we all are!!
Just because are following Jesus, doesn't give exemption from life's storms!

Why are they there?  because Jesus sent them there!!!
Usually our mess = our own doing (as a general rule)
BUT - sometimes is out of obedience to Christ!!
Example:  Jesus on the cross - was doing the perfect will of God.

When did this take place?    immediately after the feeding of the 5,000. 
Could be a coincidence ... but - Mark 6:52

The disciples were expected to experience, enjoy the miracles, BUT ... also expected to LEARN from them!!  Blessings are there not just to enjoy. but ALSO to prepare us for difficult times!!
We should learn from the good times, that He can be trusted in bad times!!

What are the disciples doing?  Mark 6:48 - "straining at the oars" (toiling in rowing)

toiling ... (A)  against the wind
              (B)  according to instructions
Has been 6-8 hours with little progress ... what to do?  Isa. 50:10 - (trust in the Lord and rely on God)

This - obedience and perseverance  (to this we are called)
Note:  at this point there is no reason to criticize the disciples!!)

LOOK AT JESUS:

(1)  He knew what He'd sent them into.... and
(2)  He saw them toiling - Mark 6:48 - because of moonlight?  divine insight?  

So What is Jesus doing while they are toiling?
Answer = Praying!!  for them???  for you??? - Heb. 7:25 - hard to imagine Him not praying for disciples, for us, in midst of storms

On one hand, He sees ALL my failures.
However, He sees ALL my EFFORTS!!
Examples:  7 churches from Revelation:

Rev. 2:2, 2:9, 2:13, 2:19, 3:8

On one hand effort does not equal effectiveness, success
However, EFFORT MATTERS!!  (as does His knowledge of it!)

 When does Jesus come to them? - 4th. watch (3 - 6 AM)

He does come .... but not immediately!!
There may be a delay ... but also a reason for the delay!  (we many not know the reason)
Example:  Lazarus

How does He come?  Walking on the water!!

The Problem is Big!! BUT Jesus is Bigger! - He is ABOVE the problem!!!! Is not disconnected from the problem, not unaffected by the problem.

Your storm my be real, huge, dangerous, BUT ... He is BIGGER!!

PETER - on one hand, he sank!
However, for a bit... he walked on water!!
Question:  Why was Peter the only one to walk on water?
Answer:  he was the only one to ASK; to step out!!

Don't want to get out of the boat without permission...
However, will never walk if never ask and step out!! - One reason we don't do huge things for the Lord is that we don't ask.  Instead stay where it is safe.

Granted:  if step out .. might sink!!!  However, He'll be there to catch you!!!

OBSERVATIONS:

#1.  Only Jesus can walk on water.
But... IF He chooses .... He can enable you to do the same!!
This is about trusting Christ and attempting great things.  It's not about safety, comfort, avoiding storms!!

#2.  The best of times should help prepare us for the difficult times. 
Example:  feeding of the 5,000 = great day!!!  BUT.... Mark 6:52 - didn't learn the lesson in the good times.

So, "count your blessings" but LEARN from those blessings - SO may be able to trust Him in the hard times!!
Phil. 4:11-13 - (anything God calls me to do)

#3.  You'll never know God's power to rescue you from trouble if you never have trouble!!
OR:  there never was a miracle without a problem preceding it!!

#4.  Note:  Mark 6:53 - The disciples had a long, rough night.  But... they made it to the other side!!  (where Jesus had told them to go)

Christians have NO promise of a smooth ride.  But are promised ...we'll arrive safely .. on the other side!!

Challenge is to commit to the side of Christ - will g through storms in life.  You want Christ on your side.