“It is I”
.
Matthew 14:22-33
22. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24. but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28. And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29. He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30. but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
I am so much like Peter! “Lord, call me to you!” Then in the midst of it all, “Whoa! Save me! I’m in this over my head.” And for that matter, I have a tendency to be like the other disciples! I can’t believe it when I see Christ with my own eyes, hear him with my own ears, feel him in my own heart and soul. “It is who? What do you mean don’t be afraid! We’re about to drown here!” Fortunately, God’s patience and mercy extend beyond all space and time to wait for that light bulb to light up over my head! “Oh, you mean, “I AM!” Well, that’s different! In fact my Bible notes indicate that “it is I” could also be translated “I AM.”
Of course, Jesus had been telling his companions, over and over, who he was! He had been explaining it to them, methodically, with much care and selecting his words very precisely. But as in my case, sometimes I need more than words to inform me. Too often, like Peter, I believe, but . . . just in case, I need proof. Even once we believe, we ask for one more bit of proof, because so often our faith is difficult. We are challenged every day to live out our faith. Christ bids us come to Him, and the world says, we can’t walk on water. So we need a little help mustering up the courage to follow Him.
For me, the Bible has been a treasure trove of history of mankind and a recounting of God’s mercy and patience. And in the New Testament, God demonstrates so much more – his unconditional love – through Christ. This past Holy Week, several television programs were on that attempted “debunk” many of the tales of Jesus. I listen, because some of the programs are interesting. I also listen because I feel need to be informed about what others are saying and thinking. I don’t care what they say. It doesn’t matter to me. I can’t explain why. I’m not naïve and gullible. (Well, okay I do have that tendency.) You see, it doesn’t matter to me if not a single word in the Bible is historically accurate. Because even if not, the words contained therein have a power that can only be explained one way!
The lessons are true. The examples may be fictional. I don’t think so, but it is possible. And it doesn’t matter. God speaks to me every time I open a Bible. And I feel His love, His mercy, and I am ever awed by His grace—extended to us through Jesus. Jesus is the I AM. I understand that in a new way this Easter season.
My prayer is that will live as one of the Easter People. And that you will take some time to read the words that reveal the true and living God, not only of history but of the future.
Mary
