"You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
That my friends, is a good question. Peter does great for a while. He sets the challenge up, knowing that if it is really Jesus, he can walk on water. But when the rubber hits the road, he sees big wabes and his faith fails him. He sinks. Only after seeing a miracle, do these disciples finally proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God.
Across the lake, however, are a group of people who are sick. The people there seem to understand who it is that has graced them with his presence. They spread the word, and people from all arround bring their sick. Do they ask for healing? No! All they want is to touch the edge of his cloak.
Those who spend the most time with Jesus fail when things get tough. Those who do not get that privledge show such great faith that they are all healed. It makes me realize that the longerI know Jesus, the less likely I am to trust him...especially when it gets stormy. When I first met him, I looked for his might in every situation and I was amazed every time I recognized his work. I was willing to sink, if it meant an opportunity to take a few steps on the water. Lately I feel like I am never amazed. But then, I can't remember the last time I just wanted so much to find Jesus and just feel his presence a little. Life has gotten stale. My soul needs a little healing. If you'll excuse me, there is someone I need to find.
You've touched on something I've been noticing as a pattern in the past chapters. In chapter 8, the least likely have great faith and little doubt that Jesus can perform miracles. The Leper, outcast of society, and the Roman Centurian (a Gentile) have faith that Jesus can help them. But the disciples who are with Jesus all the time, and have seem him perform many miracles, when out on the boat ask "What man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him?" Do they really think he is just a man? Don't they realize he really is? I was glad to see that they've progressed since then, and this time on the boat, after seeing Jesus walking on the water to them, they no longer question, but proclaim him now as the Son of God.
ReplyDeleteIt is often true that the people we are with the most, are also the ones that we often take for granted. Maybe the same thing was true of the disciples, and its certainly true for me. I agree that is time to remember who Christ is and what he is capable of. Maybe its time for me to start looking for and expecting miracles and get Jesus out of the little box I have put him into.
"Familiarity breeds contempt" I guess there's no worse place for this to happen than in our relationship with Jesus. I found this little writing on this saying that speaks to the lax way we treat Jesus in our lives sometimes. "We don't recognize what a good thing we have because we see it every day. Our close acquaintance blinds us to the value of what we have. When using tools, or engaging in other highly dangerous activities, we discount the danger because we are used to it. We fail to remain safe by remaining fearful, or at least, respectful, of the harm that can come from our familiar tools or our familiar activities." Proverbs 9:10, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
ReplyDelete