From Ghost to the Son of God

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

Matthew 14:22-36

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014%3A22-36&version=NIV;NLT

 

If you were to choose between the following two metaphors as a picture of your spiritual journey; which would you choose? A sales graph that shows a steady increase in production; or a graph of the stock market with its ups and downs, but overall increase? Which represents your spiritual journey?

 

The story in Matthew picks up the spiritual journey of the disciples following the miraculous feeding of 5000 men, plus women and children. Afterwards, Jesus sent the disciples by boat to the other side of the sea. However, in route, they ran into a sudden squall with strong winds and heavy waves. Here’s what happened.

 

²⁵ About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” ²⁷ But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”           NLT

 

Literally translated, Jesus said, “The ‘I am’ is here”. This is the same name that God told Moses to use when asked by the Israelites, “Who shall I say is sending me”. By using this name, Jesus identified himself as God. Peter, in his excitement, acted impetuously and tried to walk on water like Jesus.

 

³⁰ But when he (Peter) saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”          NIV

 

This was the first time that the disciples had called Jesus the Son of God. It was a milestone for them, and for Jesus. It showed that the disciples were making some progress. For Jesus, his ministry included preparing the disciples for what was to come.

 

From fear of a perceived ghost, to worshipping Jesus as the Son of God; I’d say that the disciple’s journey fit the metaphor of the stock market graph.

 

How do you view Jesus? Is he a ghost to you; or the Son of God? Are you growing in your faith and knowledge of him? Is your faith stronger today than yesterday? Have you tried walking on water recently?

 

 

 

 

A Bear Claw

John 6:47-58

 

 

I have two breakfast meetings a week at Panera Bread and always order the same thing… a bear claw with three butters. Heat it up in the microwave and spread the butter so that it melts – it’s heavenly. But no matter how good it tastes, about four hours or so later, I’m hungry again.

 

The passage today follows the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. At this point, people are following him just to eat a meal. But he is trying to open their eyes for them to see that there is something more important than just food and drink.

 

“The one who brings a hearty appetite to this eating and drinking has eternal life and

will be fit and ready for the Final Day. My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you. In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me.”            MSG

 

Jesus was making the point that the people had lost perspective; that their priorities were messed up; that they needed to refocus their lives on eternal values not temporal. Of course we all have basic needs; food, water, clothing and shelter, but in our affluent society our wants can easily begin to feel like needs.

 

The fact is though, instead of prioritizing “the real food and the real drink” we can easily run after a bear claw at Panera. Jesus is calling out to us across the centuries to remind us what is important; he is calling for us to live our lives in him.

 

It would be good for us to remember these words that Jesus spoke in Matthew 6: ^31 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these

things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”            NIV

 

Or, in the words of Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

 

It goes without saying but, seeking Jesus is way better than a bear claw; even with melted butter.