Note: This is an archived version of the page from nhlc.org related to North Heights Lutheran Church.
Source Details
Entity: North Heights Lutheran Church
Source: nhlc.org
Source URL: http://nhlc.org/522648.ihtml
Archive URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20101127210320/http://nhlc.org/522648.ihtml
Archive Datetime: 2010-11-27T21:03:20
North Heights Lutheran Church
THE BODY AT WORK, TAKING GOD’S POWER TO THE WORLD
-
- Emerging Generation Overview
- Children’s Ministries
- NeHi Preschool & Child Care
- North Heights Christian Academy
- Converge Student Ministries
- College Age and Young Adults
For Men Only: Get Out of the Boat!
In this year’s production of “The Thorn,” I had the chance to portray the role of Peter. It was through this experience I found that I wanted to share the story of the disciples on the boat in Mark 6:45–51:
“Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Most guys when asked, “How is it going?” generally respond with, “FINE.” Oftentimes, freaked out, insecure, neurotic, or emotional would be a more truthful answer. The financial pressures of this economy can “freak out” the best of us. Insecurity looms in our jobs, our relationships with our family, neighbor, or co-worker. Lonely guys, who feel like the world has beaten them down, can be neurotic. “Angry” or “grumpy” types are in truth quite emotional.
The disciples were on a small boat in high winds and waves. Jesus watched them before approaching them. If he had asked them how they were doing, they might have replied “FINE.” In the boat they likely said to each other, “We are going to die!”
Men, “wind and waves” in our lives can be terrifying. We tend to hang on to the boat, like it will save us. We say we are FINE but in truth we are not. “What is your boat?” Is it your job, money? Are you often angry? Are you in bondage or addiction? Are your relationships volatile? Are you “FINE”?
Matthew 14:25–31 shows a slightly different story that night: “During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Did you notice the mention of Peter walking on the water? Some historians believe that Mark’s gospel was dictated by Peter, who left that part out thinking nobody would believe him. When Peter sees Jesus, while the others were freaked out, his reaction is important. In his excitement he may have said,” Holy Galilean, Batman, it’s Jesus!” Peter calls Jesus and awaits Jesus to instruct him to “Come.” Peter then gets out of the boat and walks on the water. Some would argue that Peter was stupid for getting out of the boat, away from safety. Peter actually “got it.” Peter trusted Jesus!
If you’ve had dark times in life or are in a dark spiritual time now, you may notice your communication with the Lord is not good. It can happen when we have a loss in our lives, a job, a loved one, or a relationship. For me, losing my job months ago due to a layoff after more than 25 years working for the airlines and in the airline service industry, should’ve been scary. Looking at my life, it would be easy to stay in the boat and only trust Jesus when I see him! Instead, Jesus called me against my own resistance which was my thoughts of working another job, and he challenged me to place my trust in him. He called me to ministry and to a new place that I had never been.
I have been called to enter seminary this fall and I am working toward entering The Master’s Institute for my ministry training. In his calling, Jesus told me to set aside my thoughts of another job, asking, “Do you trust me?” I had to ask myself, “Will I walk on water toward him or stay in the boat?” I got out of my boat and am focused on Jesus, walking by faith.
Men, we have to look for him. We can’t sit around in the wind and the waves, waiting, pouting, asking, “Why have you abandoned me?” When I do this, Jesus taps me on the shoulder and says, “Hey dude, I am right here, open your Bible.” When we’re frustrated that we have not heard from him, we need to read our Bible. He will reveal himself. He will always be there. When we take steps toward him, and get out of our boat, we might get wet! So what?
When Peter got back in the boat, I doubt they were sarcastic and said, “Hey Pete, nice job, you loser, you started sinking.” It is more likely Peter said, “Guys, WOW! Did you see that?”
These days men generally focus on Peter sinking rather than walking on the water. Peter cried out, “Lord save me;” Peter was scared. He got wet, but in the midst of his doubt Jesus saved him.
Men, Jesus is calling us to release whatever we are clinging to for safety and “Come.” We have to be like Peter and get out of the boat
Mens Ministries
 
Created by Elexio. Powered by IntelliSite.