Dip Your Toe
As Jesus fed 5,000 people with just two fish and five loaves --
and let's not forget, a prayer -- the disciples caught a glimpse of
Jesus, the miracle-worker; Jesus, the popular provider; Jesus, the
instant celebrity; or as the crowds viewed him, Jesus, the Hebrew
equivalent of a rock star. The crowds made Jesus their king right
there and then. At least they'd never go hungry.
The pumped-up disciples were then dismayed to watch Jesus
immediately walk away from the promise of fame and fortune. What's
more, just when it was getting good for them as his entourage,
Jesus sent the disciples away. Jesus went off alone and the
disciples traveled ahead by boat, cutting off the northern tip of
the lake on their journey back to Capernaum.
Jesus was always full of surprises for his companions, but what
he did next no one was prepared for. The disciples were already
overwhelmed by the days' events and possibly overwrought by the
darkness and rough seas. So when Jesus came walking toward them on
the water, they were terrified, afraid, freakin' out.
Just like the disciples, we generally expect God to be present
and helpful in trouble, hence the many "fox-hole conversions" when
people are in desperate situations. In these tenuous moments, we
hope for and pray to a big God willing to save us.
But do we expect a God who will go out of his way to get our
attention, a God who shows himself to us in unmistakable ways in
the midst of daily life, a God who reminds us he isn't bound by the
physical realm -- since he created it? That's what Jesus did on the
water -- he turned the ordinary act of walking to meet the
disciples (who had a three-mile head start) into a miracle by the
extraordinary act of walking on water.
Walking ever nearer over the wind-tossed waves and through the
darkness, Jesus responded to the terrified disciples with a calm,
"It is I," as the NRSV translates his Greek phrase ego
eimi. A closer look at the Greek text reveals that, "It is I"
could or should be translated as, "I AM."
"I AM." This is the same phrase God uses in Exodus 3:14 when
Moses trips over the burning bush, takes off his flip-flops on holy
ground and receives his orders to go before Pharaoh and audaciously
give God's command, "Let my people go!" Moses hems and haws and
finally asks, "Who should I say is sending me?" In other words,
"Who are you, anyway?" In response, God reveals his own name as I
AM, the verb's present tense showing that God exists, is alive at
this very moment, yet isn't bound by time.
Moses asks, "Who are you, God?"
God responds, "I AM."
So, too, in this mid-lake moment, just in case the disciples
missed it in the confusion and work of feeding 5,000 with one
meager lunch, just in case the disciples missed it in Jesus'
marching up to their boat over the waves, just in case we've missed
it in our busy lives and ministries, Jesus insists, "I AM,"
essentially saying "I am Yahweh. I am God. Got it?"
Jesus walks on water, seeks his struggling disciples in rough
waters, shows himself to be God, and calms their hearts. Then Jesus
says, "Do not fear." We all long to hear those words in crisis,
"Don't go on being afraid."
As a children's minister, you've probably had your share of
fox-hole moments. What do you mean, six volunteers called in
with the flu? Why didn't anyone tell me DeShaun's parents were
getting a divorce? Oh, God, give me strength, I don't know if I can
make it through another Sunday...
Whether you're experiencing fox-hole moments or smooth sailing,
never lose sight of who you work for. In moments of doubt, trial,
and fear, lean on God -- and let kids see do it. When God is your
go-to person, kids take note of it. When you trust God and put your
foot into the water, your kids will be there, cheering you on,
inspired to test the water themselves.
Show Off a Little
Jesus walked on water and turned the world upside down. The
Scriptures tell us that when the disciples recognized Jesus walking
across the water, they "wanted to take him into the boat." As a
fourth-grader might say, "Well, duh!" When the boat reached land,
the disciples followed Jesus with new commitment. And this miracle
lead to many teachable moments since Jesus officially had the
disciples' full attention.
Does Jesus have your full attention? Or are you so wrapped up in
logistics and ministry issues you forget to focus on Jesus? Do you
present Jesus in such a dynamic way that he grabs your kids'
attention? Do you show off what Jesus can do? Do you showcase his
love and glory? What about kids' families? Do they encounter Jesus
in powerful ways in your ministry? Whether families are ready to
give Jesus their full attention, he is ready for them.
God's got big feats of ministry in mind. See what can happen if you
show off Jesus -- even just a little.
Ask yourself: Who is Jesus to me? Jesus who feeds
5,000? Jesus who walks on water? Jesus who reassures, "Don't go on
being afraid"? Through your faith and teaching, Jesus is alive,
powerful, and present to the parents and children in your
ministry.
Take time in meditation each week. Tell Jesus where you are:
I'm ready to take you into my boat. Or, I wish I was
ready -- help me in my doubts. Ask God to use you where you
are, then serve with creativity and imagination. Use your biblical
imagination as you learn from God's Word and teach and lead
others.
• • •
Jesus' miracles are more than just tall tales. When all is said
and done, Jesus' miracles are written so that we may have faith, so
we may know Jesus as God.
Will you give Jesus your full attention, reading the Scriptures,
which bear witness to his life, death, and resurrection? Will you
hear him in the midst of rough seas: "I AM; don't go on being
afraid"? Will you respond in faith? Will you serve children with
biblical imagination? Will you step out of the boat and follow
Jesus, our God who walks on water?
Tassie Green is acting associate pastor for Christian
formation and family life at Union Church of Hinsdale,
Illinois.
