My friends were no comfort in all the chaos. I might as well have been alone. Between the waves smashing into my face I could vaguely make out Matt struggling to tie off a rope. Andy tried crossing the boat to help but lost his footing; his cheek connecting with corner of a bench. Simultaneously a loud crack splits the sky. Pete helplessly yells out orders for someone to check on Andy. Pete's eyes, normally filled with confidence, showed a desperation I had never seen before.
Then I caught my brother Jim out of the corner of my eye. Something was off. I took a closer look. Jim's face was pale. He looked crippled with fear and his gaze was locked on something behind me. I slowly turned, almost in disbelief that there could be something worse than what we were already experiencing. Then I saw it.
Against the night sky and midst the swelling waves was a figure, inhumanly perched atop the water. There was no way that was there before. It couldn't be a spire of land, because it was moving! Was this some dormant creature choosing now, of all times, to rear it's ugly head? Out of the welling terror deep within, the only word I could muster was "GHOST!"
As if under some sort of spell, Pete climbs over the side of the boat and, defying all laws of logic and nature, steps toward the being, ignoring the surface tension of the water. Another step. Another step. Then, breaking from the trance, Pete looks back and makes eye contact with me. I'll never forget that look. As quickly as glance took place, it was over and Pete plunged into the water... but not before the mysterious figure could grasp his arm.
-Embellishments/paraphrases of Matthew 14:22-26, Mark 6:45-59, and John 6:16-19
Bonus points to whoever knows from which disciple's perspective I was writing. (the hint is in the 3rd paragraph)
Who knew the bible could be so riveting, right? The truth is, I don't imagine I'm too far off from what that experience was actually like for the disciples. They actually did yell out "Ghost!" (Matthew 14:26). Turns out it was just Jesus. Walking on water. Psh, should've known.
The first thing Jesus says to the disciples when they catch him water-walking is "It is I; do not be afraid." which is funny because, these days, I think more people would run after finding out it was Jesus. That's a different kind of fear. Gabriel the Angel, you know, the one who told Mary she was pregnant, kicked his speech off with the same ice breaker: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:30) With all of the emphasis on fear this time of year, I figured I would share that, while you may be shivering in your boots, there's a way to tell who the good guys are; they're the ones saying "Don't be afraid."
Who knew the bible could be so riveting, right? The truth is, I don't imagine I'm too far off from what that experience was actually like for the disciples. They actually did yell out "Ghost!" (Matthew 14:26). Turns out it was just Jesus. Walking on water. Psh, should've known.
The first thing Jesus says to the disciples when they catch him water-walking is "It is I; do not be afraid." which is funny because, these days, I think more people would run after finding out it was Jesus. That's a different kind of fear. Gabriel the Angel, you know, the one who told Mary she was pregnant, kicked his speech off with the same ice breaker: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:30) With all of the emphasis on fear this time of year, I figured I would share that, while you may be shivering in your boots, there's a way to tell who the good guys are; they're the ones saying "Don't be afraid."
