Jump Out of The Boat

 

Perhaps the most famous New Testament Bible story is the one in which Jesus comes to the disciples on the Sea of Galilee walking on the water. No doubt you are familiar with this story and Peter's famous words, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:22-36) There is a book entitled, If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat. Peter wanted to walk on the water to get to Jesus. He had to get out of the boat- he had to have faith in the One who was calling to him.

 

There is another instance of Peter getting out of the boat. It takes place after Peter's denial of Jesus, after the horrid crucifixion, and the incredible resurrection. Peter and some of the disciples are back to fishing. They fish all night and catch nothing. Jesus is on the beach and calls to them, telling them to try the nets on the right side of the boat. They do so, and catch so many fish they can't haul them all in. Peter hears that it is the Lord on the shore. Notice his response to that information. The Word says he “threw himself into the sea,” John 21:7. The Amplified Bible says, “he sprang into the sea”. Can you imagine it? The other disciples stay in the boat and calmly row to the shore with the catch of fish, but Peter, he can't stand that any distance is separating him and the Lord, even if it is only 100 yards. He has to get to the Lord—NOW!

 

It reminds me of the chorus of a song I have sung several times recently. The song is titled, “Jumping Out of the Boat,” and the chorus says:

 

“I'm jumpin' out of the boat

I'm getting' closer to Him

I don't care if I sink, I don't care if I swim...

..It won't matter now, even if I can float

All that I know for sure is- I'm jumpin' out of the boat.”

 

I can see Peter thinking exactly that! The Sea of Galilee held mystery and fear for most people, because of the intense storms that could arise on it in a short time. In fact they referred to the Sea of Galilee as the abyss. But the Sea didn't matter to Peter. Nothing did. HE HAD TO GET TO JESUS!!

 

Do you feel that way? Do you want more? Do you want to get closer to HIM, no matter what? Are you content to sit in the comfort of your boat, your comfort zone, and let the world pass you by without realizing all that Jesus is doing all around you and in you? You are saved and on your way to heaven in the little boat, so don't rock it. OR, do you, like Peter want to gird up your coat around you and jump out of the boat to get closer to the Lover of your soul- Jesus?

 

Peter jumps out of the boat with that reckless abandon that says I don't care what happens, (if I sink or if I swim) I HAVE to get closer to Him. All I know is that I'm jumping out of the comfort zone of my boat and getting closer to Him!

 

So we jump and find ourselves swimming with all we've got so that we can get closer to Him. It is at that point that the problems set in. You see, there are several forces that do not want us to get closer to Jesus. They want to keep us FROM that close, intimate love affair with the One who gave it all to save us. Those “forces” are the devil, the world, and our very own fleshly nature.

 

Have you ever watched teenage boys playing around in a swimming pool? They grab on to each other and try to push each other under. Sometimes they go underwater and grab the ankle of another and try to yank him under. Sometimes they are even so bold as to grab a poor mother who is minding her own business floating around in the shallow end in her inflated swimming ring, and take her under too. That is similar to how our enemy, the world and our own flesh try to blind side us and interfere with our swim closer to the Lord.

 

As we get closer to the Lord we realize that we have to get farther from our “selves.” We have to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). But our “self” grabs at our ankles, trying to pull us down. Same with the enemy of our souls and the busyness and scoffing of this lost world that we live in. Something is always competing with the time, attention, and devotion that belongs to God. We tend to forget that without Him, we are nothing.

 

We may jump out of the boat and start swimming closer to Jesus, and we feel like we are drowning in the sea of life. Indeed, the devil, the world and our selfishness all work against us swimming and for us drowning. Jesus says not to worry about that, because he who wants to save his own life will lose it, and anyone who looses his life for Jesus' sake will find it (Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35). So if we jump in and die to self for the sake of getting closer to Jesus, we will, in fact, find new life in and with Him in that intimate relationship.

 

There is nothing that compares with, and nothing more important than our life being hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Don't be afraid. It won't matter if you sink or swim, as long as you get closer to the One who died to save you. He gave it all- the ultimate sacrifice- because He loves us and longs to have us close. He can't bear to think of a moment without you, but He always gives a choice. He will not force us to be intimate with Him. He will not force us closer. The choice is ours.

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