With You

4/27/2016

Matthew 13. 29 “Come,” he said. – St. Matthew

In Matthew 14, is an account of a turbulent time in Jesus life in which John the Baptist had been beheaded, and many thousands had come to seek Him out. The load of ministry at times is very heavy. Throw in the death of a friend or relationship, and the load can become overwhelming. Jesus was perhaps feeling overwhelmed and needed to get away; and when He attempted to do so, the crowds, hurting and crying out, came seeking Him.

Jesus never turned the crowds away. Ministry is 24/7/365. So Jesus marshaled His men and met the needs of those who’d come to be with Him. Jesus miraculously fed them. The account says, the number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14.21)

After Jesus dismissed the crowds and sent them back home, He instructed His men to take the boat and go to the other side of the lake. He went to pray. As His men rowed and pushed in the wind to get to the other side, Jesus met them out on the lake –He was walking on the water. They were terrified.

Jesus identified Himself and told them to relax. Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and for a few steps, he walked on water as well. Then he realized what he was doing, and panicked, and began to sink into the water.

I thought about the Lord’s invite: Come. Jesus says to the rest of us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11.28,29)

God’s invitation to all of us is: Come be with Me and I will be with you. Religion and mankind have accused God of being a party-pooper; always looking to take something from us or make us do something we don’t want to do, or go someplace we don’t want to go. Peter challenged the Lord: If it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water… Don’t ask if you won’t do.

But Jesus wants us to be with Him wherever He is: on the water, with the sick, with those in prison, or with our neighbor next-door. The invitation is always: Come! Be with Me!

And we’re to repeat the Lord’s invitation: we’re to invite those on the outside to come on inside. Come – come and see Who the Lord is and why being in His presence is the safest and best place to be – ever. Jesus seeks our friendship and desires to bring us into the Father’s presence: the safest and best place to be. All we need do is get out of the boat…

Father, You don’t require water-walking but You do invite us to come. We’re to be with You wherever You are, and we’re to do whatever You ask us to do. There. Help me to be courageous to respond and trust, water or not: with You is the safest and best place to be – Amen.