Nov | 24 | A Lizard Like Jesus?

Key Word:- TRUST

Title:- A Lizard Like Jesus?

Matthew 14:25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.


The combination of lasers, video framing and reflective molecules, has led to the discovery of the forces which allow a small Lizard called the ‘Green Basilisk’ or the ‘Jesus Lizard’ to be able to walk on water. Actually it simply runs very, very fast. Lest you think scientists have invested money into this research for some theological purpose, think again! Knowing how to walk upright on various surfaces will be of tremendous application for the production of multi-terrain robots. Sounds quite military doesn’t it? You betcha!

From our text for today, I see that the DNA of the Church of God, was being formed in these fishermen out on the sea of Galilee in the 4th watch of the night, for what they experienced and knew, would become the bedrock of what was birthed and grew. All their life they had dealt with water and had experienced beyond the shadow of a doubt that the water would not allow a man to remain above it. Simple! They had learnt something else as well: Storms were dangerous, storms were where the placid fluid was so antagonized by the raging wind, that in its anger it would reach up into the swaying and swinging dryness and snatch you to itself and while embracing you tightly in its all enfolding arms, would plant upon your lips, its cold wet kiss of death. This they knew. This they experienced.

Jesus has remained behind to watch and pray. From afar off, He sees His disciples struggling hard against the violent waves which might not allow them to reach their destination, and if they did, they would be exhausted. He also knew that their hearts were still not open to the fact that He was the all providing, all commanding, supernatural God. Though five thousand bellies were recently filled with bread and fish from but five loaves and two fishes, their hearts were still dull to the fact of who He truly was. Think about that.

So, another lesson was needed; a lesson so fully immersed in their familiar and dangerous environment, that who Jesus truly was, would become both manifest and irrefutable to them. So Jesus lets the storm grow large, the day grow late, their arms grow tired ,their stomachs grow sick and their hearts grow desperate, until He begins lesson 301 regarding who He really is.

Effortlessly, Jesus steps into the waves. Not trudging up the height of each violently moving crest only to then, like some holy surfer, hands outstretched like a small aero plane, begin sliding down the tumbling trough shouting “Wha-hey-hey! Look at this guys!” and then begin yet another trudge up some other writhing, looming, rising, rough and ready monster of a wave. No. I don’t think it was like that. He was simply there, walking on the water and wherever His foot trod, they carved the calmest of passages that was never intruded upon by the raging sea. This indeed is another miracle. Like the children in the fire who had not even the smell of smoke upon them, so I wonder, if Jesus had amidst the sea, not even one drop of salt water splash against his face or lap the edges of His toenails as they peeked out of the front of His size seven sandals.

Let's not talk about Peter's darling and daring escapade for the moment, but focus on this fact: The disciples needed to have this particular hardness in their hearts, softened. They needed to more fully believe! Jesus sees to this to such an extent that they are reported to have been, “greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled!” Or, “astonished exceedingly, completely amazed beyond measure, whacked in wonder, gob smacked, utterly open mouthed, unable to take it in and totally astounded!”
Now listen friends, don’t think that Jesus is not about walking on water in your life today. What areas, or what facts and truths are you so overly acquainted with; or what unbending familiarity do you have with the mundane of the day, that it has left your little heart hard or dull in believing that Jesus is Lord over all? YES LORD OVER ALL! Has this truth become too much to take in?

May a storm brew in your life. May you struggle and despair even to the point of fearing the loss of all things and then may you find Jesus walking on your water, coming toward you, and climbing into your boat. If a little lizard can be like Jesus, then it’s about time you learnt to be like Him as well. How Jesus toughly trains His beloved disciples sounds quite military doesn’t it? You betcha! Now shape up! Now step out! Now believe!

Listen:- Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33

Pray: - O Lord I believe. Help me with my unbelief. Amen.