Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

In the mix of some other excitement, we have this big new dog here now. Hondo is his name. Thankfully, he is OK with letting Dandy be the alpha dog, and they have not exchanged any blows. There is some competition in the ball-chasing department, but Hondo defers to Dandy there too. It gets kind of interesting having to throw two different balls in two different directions in order to keep them active.

I’m going to run off now to check out a different car. Yesterday was a different dog—today a different car. I wonder what will be different tomorrow. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, planning, or choosing, we still need God’s guidance and blessing at every point. At least I choose to think that way.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Terrific! The disciples are finally getting the picture. The last storm they were in with Jesus, they wondered who in the world He was as He demonstrated such supernatural power and control over the elements (Matthew 8:27). Now He not only miraculously calms the wind and waves, but comes to them miraculously walking on the water. “And when he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” That He is God (or the Son of God—all the same according to many other scriptures) really is an important deduction to make.

The disciples are finding out that doing the abnormal is very normal for Jesus—which is very normal if you’re God. They could hardly keep up with the revelation unfolding before them. He’s been healing all the sick, even raising dead people back to life, and expelling demons with a word. That very day (or the day before) He had miraculously multiplied a little lunch to feed “about five thousand men, besides women and children.” And now this!—walking up to them on a stormy sea in the middle of the night. He scares them out of their wits (which I’m convinced He rather enjoys doing—in fact, I think He had to resist the urge to go, “Ooooooooo”) and offers another profound evidence as to Who He is.

Question: Why did Peter want to jump out of the boat and walk on the water? I suppose we could come up with lots of ideas. But one of the best reasons I can think of sitting right here is, JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT. I can only imagine that it would be a real thrill to defy natural laws and do what you’ve never been able to do before—that no one else can do. That’s just plain fun! Lesson: God is not opposed to your doing things just for the fun of it—as long as your primary focus is maintained on Him.

Another question: Why did Jesus get into the boat? One thing for sure—anyone who walks on water sure doesn’t need a boat! Man, if I could do that I could go out every morning jogging—and trolling at the same time! (Can you imagine?—“Hey!—I caught a 30 pound Wahoo while jogging this morning!”) Besides confirming WHO He is, the only reason I can think of for Jesus getting into the boat is FELLOWSHIP. From a purely human point of view, I suppose it could be kind of lonely out there walking on water and doing all that supernatural miraculous stuff that no one else can do, with no one to share it with. However, I don’t want to put forth the idea that God NEEDS fellowship with His human creatures—but He clearly DESIRES it. Lesson: The Supernatural God is interested in fellowshipping with you in and through the natural course of your life. For this we should be forever grateful. He may not take you walking with Him on the water, but He’ll walk (or ride) with you down the road of your life—if you want Him to. One of the wonderful benefits of this arrangement can be gleaned from the kid’s song: “With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm…as we go sailing home.”