Faith in Jesus makes up the Mechanics of Life.
The boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and the disciples were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. (Matthew 14:25-31)
Founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, said this before his death: “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.”
In this Gospel episode only Peter asked to do what Jesus was doing. Only Peter got out of the boat. Only Peter walked on the water. Peter definitely was a crazy one. He saw things differently.
Yes, there were other “crazy ones!” (cf. Hebrews 11). Noah built a large boat on dry land with no water around. Abram prepared to sacrifice his only son. Moses rejected his Egyptian inheritance to invest his future with the slaves of Israel. Face it: they were all crazy! Supposedly, that’s how people of faith appear to those who are “normal”!
Erich Fromm captures the point: “To have faith requires the ability to take a risk. Whoever insists on safety and security as primary conditions of life makes himself a prisoner.” The eleven, “safe and secure”, became prisoners of the boat, the natural and normal. Only Peter exhibited courage built on one word: “Come!” Only Peter experienced the “super-natural”!
“The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. I mean it.” (John 14:12-14)
Remember! Security is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of Jesus. (John Eldridge)
Check back next Friday as we continue our Faith on Fridays series.