I'm trying not to succumb to the rumors flying all over town of impending ward boundary adjustments (everyone knows someone who knows someone who is related to someone who saw the newly revised map) and the fear that this lesson may be my last as the 5th Ward Gospel Doctrine instructor. This time, the stake actually put an announcement in all the ward bulletins and is having a meeting for the adults on Sunday evening.
Anyhow, the lesson covers a few events I'd like to discuss in a little more detail than what we are normally able to do in class. The first of which is when Christ walked on the water to reach the disciples in the boat.
After Christ had miraculously fed the five thousand, he sent the disciples into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee and meet him on the other side while he went up to a mountain be alone (Matt 14:22-23).
A storm had come up which slowed their progress. By the fourth watch (3:00am - 6:00am), they had only gone about 25-30 furlongs (John 6:19), or about 5-6km. As they were struggling against the wind and waves, they saw what they thought to be a spirit coming across the sea towards them. Jesus called out to them "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matt 14:27). Peter said, "If it really is you, tell me to come out to meet you." Jesus invites Peter, who almost made it the whole distance before he started sinking.
For those of us who don't spend a lot of time boating or don't forsee the need to walk on water in the future, what can we apply from this event to our lives today?
-The Lord takes the most direct route
Knowing the severity of the storm and knowing his disciples were struggling, Christ naturally took the most direct route to help them. He didn't wait for them to reach the shore (which they probably would have done in the morning when the winds calmed) and congratulate them for toughing it out. He also didn't calm the storm, as he had done before. This time, he let his presence calm the disciples. We were never promised we wouldn't have storms in our lives, or even to have all our storms calmed. But we do have the promise we can make it through the storms with Christ. He will always take the most effective, the most direct path to succor us.
-Be of good cheer
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "This scriptural account reminds us that the first step in coming to Christ--or his coming to us--may fill us with something very much like sheer terror. It shouldn't, but it sometimes does. One of the grand ironies of the gospel is that the very source of help and safety being offered us is the thing from which we may, in our mortal shortsightedness, flee." (Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come Unto Me", BYU Fireside, 2 Mar 1997)
-Come
Make the effort to come to Christ. His invitation goes out to all of us, not just a few, and not just when we feel we're ready or worthy. Just as the father ran to meet his prodigal son, Christ will make sure we do not have to walk home alone. We shouldn't be surprised if sometimes it seems we are called to walk on water (or through it, in Moses' case). Just remember God never sets us up to fail, so if he asks us to do something we can be confident he has "prepare[d] a way for [us] that [we] may accomplish the thing which he commandeth [us]" (1 Nephi 3:7).
-Keep your eyes on Christ
Peter jumped out of the boat and walked towards his Master. When he noticed the winds, he got a little nervous and started to sink. He was close enough that all Jesus had to do was "immediately ... [stretch] forth his hand, and [catch] him" (Matt 14:31). I once heard a quote which has stuck with me:
Anyhow, the lesson covers a few events I'd like to discuss in a little more detail than what we are normally able to do in class. The first of which is when Christ walked on the water to reach the disciples in the boat.
After Christ had miraculously fed the five thousand, he sent the disciples into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee and meet him on the other side while he went up to a mountain be alone (Matt 14:22-23).
A storm had come up which slowed their progress. By the fourth watch (3:00am - 6:00am), they had only gone about 25-30 furlongs (John 6:19), or about 5-6km. As they were struggling against the wind and waves, they saw what they thought to be a spirit coming across the sea towards them. Jesus called out to them "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matt 14:27). Peter said, "If it really is you, tell me to come out to meet you." Jesus invites Peter, who almost made it the whole distance before he started sinking.
For those of us who don't spend a lot of time boating or don't forsee the need to walk on water in the future, what can we apply from this event to our lives today?
-The Lord takes the most direct route
Knowing the severity of the storm and knowing his disciples were struggling, Christ naturally took the most direct route to help them. He didn't wait for them to reach the shore (which they probably would have done in the morning when the winds calmed) and congratulate them for toughing it out. He also didn't calm the storm, as he had done before. This time, he let his presence calm the disciples. We were never promised we wouldn't have storms in our lives, or even to have all our storms calmed. But we do have the promise we can make it through the storms with Christ. He will always take the most effective, the most direct path to succor us.
-Be of good cheer
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "This scriptural account reminds us that the first step in coming to Christ--or his coming to us--may fill us with something very much like sheer terror. It shouldn't, but it sometimes does. One of the grand ironies of the gospel is that the very source of help and safety being offered us is the thing from which we may, in our mortal shortsightedness, flee." (Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come Unto Me", BYU Fireside, 2 Mar 1997)
-Come
Make the effort to come to Christ. His invitation goes out to all of us, not just a few, and not just when we feel we're ready or worthy. Just as the father ran to meet his prodigal son, Christ will make sure we do not have to walk home alone. We shouldn't be surprised if sometimes it seems we are called to walk on water (or through it, in Moses' case). Just remember God never sets us up to fail, so if he asks us to do something we can be confident he has "prepare[d] a way for [us] that [we] may accomplish the thing which he commandeth [us]" (1 Nephi 3:7).
-Keep your eyes on Christ
Peter jumped out of the boat and walked towards his Master. When he noticed the winds, he got a little nervous and started to sink. He was close enough that all Jesus had to do was "immediately ... [stretch] forth his hand, and [catch] him" (Matt 14:31). I once heard a quote which has stuck with me:
"An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off your goal."While he was walking, Peter's focus remained on Christ. But when he looked at the waves, he started to sink. When things are going rough in our lives, if we see waves there's a good chance we're looking in the wrong direction.
1 comment:
Hi Gary,
I remember the last time they changed all the ward bounderies in Ray town...it wasn't long after we moved there. I remember a Big over head progector with a map of the town and Pres Smith announcing each ward boundery. Ok well first ward goes from Bro So and So house on this corner, to Sister So and so's house on the second corner, to Bro T fenceline to the alley an behind so and so's house...As the announced each boundry there we quiet cheers and moans as people realized if they were staying or going. To city folk like Grant and I we had no idea what was going on and had to ask our neighbour...What ward are we??
We tell that story often out here...8 wards in a tiny town, discribing boundreis by people and houses instead of county lines...its a concept many don't fathom out here.
Raymond, good times...good luck this weekend :)
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