Rev. Jeff Wood, First Presbyterian Church of Sebastian
WeLoveFirst.org & Facebook.com/welovefirstsebastian
Yes, The Wind Is Against You, But Who is With You?
The disciples of Jesus, we are told, are on their own in a boat in a tempest. They are tired and afraid. In this distress, Jesus walks to them – on the water; he walks on water. He doesn’t leave them to fend for themselves. He comes through wind and waves to get to them and the same is true for us.
Famously, Peter’s response is, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” So Peter climbs out of the boat, walks a few steps, and then does what all of us do — he looks at the size of the waves instead of the size of the one who called him. And down he goes.
But notice his second prayer. Not, “Help me have more faith.” Not, “Let me try again.” Three words: “Lord, save me.” That prayer has given up on impressing anyone. It has nothing to offer but need — and it’s the one Jesus answers instantly, reaching out before Peter can say another word.
Without any other happening, Jesus gets in the boat with all of them. The winds and waves don’t just stop. But Jesus is with them. And when the wind (and waves) are against us, “Lord, save me,” gets him in the boat with us.
Rev. Jeff Wood, 1405 Louisiana Ave, Sebastian FL 32958.
Find us online at facebook.com/welovefirstsebastian or at www.welovefirst.org. Call for further information 772-589-5656