Join Jesus Now

 November 19, 2024

Tuesday

I realized the other day why Peter called out to Jesus so that he could join Jesus walking on water. It is actually very simple. The Lord wants us to join Him in what He is doing. When Peter said, "If it is You, Lord, command me to come out to you on the water," he knew that only Jesus would be able to do that and even want that. Jesus wants us working with Him rather than for Him. He wants us joining Him rather than we think up things to do and ask Him to join us. Of course Jesus said, "Come."

If our eyes are open to the work of the Lord we will see Him working. The only thing we need to do is join Him. If we don't know if it is Him, then we must put out a fleece to make sure that it is. Putting out a fleece is not questioning whether the Lord will do what He has said He will do. It is making sure it is Him that you are joining.

Do you see the Lord working anywhere right now? Is He working on your heart to change what you are doing right now? Does He want you to change professions or locations so that you can join Him? Peter had to change locations when he got out of the boat to walk toward Jesus. It might be that scary. Peter had already changed professions to follow Jesus. 

True disciples do what their Master tells them to do. They must consider the cost and determine that they will finish the calling they are called to. The greatest reason the gospel is not being preached throughout the world with the power of the Holy Spirit is that most Christians never step out to join the Lord in what He is doing. The moment it looks like they must change what they are doing to join Him, they balk. They want Jesus to be there for them when they need Him rather than become disciples who join Him in whatever He is doing.

I wanted to be a missionary when I first went into the ministry. I even applied to become one. The problem was that the people at the missionary appointing board kept asking me about my calling. I didn't have one. Jesus was working on the mission field but He wanted me working with Him right in the US. That doesn't mean that I stayed in one spot. It also doesn't mean that I didn't do short term mission trips. It just meant that joining Jesus was not permanently overseas. At first, I was disappointed but over the years I have realized that I need to be where Jesus wants me to join Him.

Most people are retired by my age. Retirement isn't a biblical word. That doesn't mean that I must be paid to do ministry forever. It means that I am to join Jesus forever.

So, if you think that you see Jesus working, ask Him to command you to come to Him. That's what Peter did. He wasn't able to keep it up at that time. Yet, his life is not characterized by his failures. He is known for his faith. Be known as one that walks on water.

Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) ²²  Immediately 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 a long way 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, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. ²⁷  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” ²⁸  And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to 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 took hold of him, saying to him, “O you 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.”