Walking on water

Another week in my New Testament class. I was excited learning about Christ walking on the water. He did things that for me are impossible. But I found out how he did it, sort of...

Choice 3: Matthew 14:22–33. Walking on the Sea

1. Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them.

In the scripture language it says, “And in the fourth watch of the night.” I’m not sure when they started their watch but I’m assuming that it’s late and they are all tired. It is during this time that they see Christ walking on the water. The apostles freak out. They think that they are seeing a ghost. I don’t blame them because no human that I know can walk on water.

2. What did Peter’s response indicate about him?

After Christ confirmed that it was him and to not be afraid, Peter called out to him and asked to join him. If I were in that situation I would not do as Peter did. I like things that are firm, solid and sure. Water has none of those attributes. With that said, Peter demonstrated great faith. Faith enough to do as the Savior did.

3. According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?

So Christ bid Peter onto the water. Amazingly Peter began to walk on top of the water just like Christ did. Then a wind came and the scriptures say that it was a “boisterous wind”. I looked up that word and the dictionary says that boisterous means “rough, unrestrained, stormy, massive.” So this was a pretty strong wind. Peter began to sink because he was afraid of the wind knocking him down.

4. What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?

As Peter began to sink, he called to Christ to save him. The cool part was Christ didn’t hesitate. He, as the verse says “Immediately…stretched forth his hand.” I like that. There is a good principle there. Peter called out for help and Christ immediately answered. In our prayers we do the same but are we listening for the answer that is our help? I know I don’t always listen. Sometimes I pray several times before I’m ready to listen. That’s bad. That is a habit I need to break. I need to be a little more patient.

5. Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life?

In this verse it is talking about having your eye single to the glory of God. It says that when you do this your whole body will be filled with light and you will be able to comprehend all things. So if you can comprehend things then maybe you can comprehend science, mathematics, mysteries of God. If that is the case then I don’t see how walking on water wouldn’t be hard if you had that kind of faith. I can’t think of the scripture but this scripture reminds me of another. It says something about if you have knowledge you will not fear. With all scriptures we need to apply them to ourselves. With this one I can see by keeping the faith and gaining knowledge I can literally walk over the storms of life because I have knowledge which increases my faith that all will be ok.

(721) 

Finding faith in Jesus Christ: John the Baptist

      For my religion class I chose to study about John the Baptist. I don't know a whole lot about him so that is why I did this assignment. I learned so much about him. He truly was a great man like Christ said. 

      In Matthew 11: 1-19 the two disciples of John asked Christ, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” Christ then told them to report back to John all that they saw him do. If I were in place of these two men I would report back how he heals the blind, cleanses the leprosy, and raises the dead. To me those are the miracles that I would love to see because they are the hardest to do.

In the Institute manual commentary it says that John did not doubt Christ. I think John knew what was going to happen to him. Also his disciples need to gain a  testimony of Christ because it was Christ’s church and not John’s. So he sent them to ask a question for him really posing the question for his disciples. That was smart thinking on John’s part.

Christ said about John the Baptist, “…among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…” But there were prophets before John and there were prophets after John. What makes him so special? Again in the Institute manual commentary we are given three reasons why he was so great. 1. He prepared the way for Jesus Christ. 2. His second mission was to baptize Christ. 3. Hold the keys of power to do the things that he did. No other prophet had the opportunity to do any of those things. What makes him so special was because he was in Christ’s time. What an honor that would be.

In John 3:30 we see John’s attitude about Christ. He says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” What I understand from this is he did not want to be under the same light as Christ. John did nothing near what Christ did. Christ rose above everything and overcame all. We must see Christ as the savior. I think also if John was decreasing while Christ was increasing like variations of light, it is implied that we need to look to Him. John was humble and not wanting anything more than what was given. How can we adopt his attitude in our life? I think humility is what it is all about. John didn’t want the lime light for himself. He knew that isn’t what needed to be done. 

Finding faith in Jesus Christ

To those who don't know I'm continuing my education online to finish my degree. I'm taking a religion class right now and it's great! This week I learned about faith. I completed the table and I learned so much!

Matthew 8:1-4
Miracle:  Cleansing of leprosy
Who had Faith: The leper had faith to be healed. This is how it is today. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can heal us.


Matthew 8:5-13
Miracle: Healing of palsy
Who had faith: The centurion who was Roman had faith enough to say to Jesus, just speak the words that he will be healed and he will.  He didn't need to see the miracle. He knew it would happen if he asked in faith. That's powerful!

Matthew 8:14-15
Miracle:Sick with a fever
Who had faith:Peter and his mother-in-law both showed great faith. Christ only touched her hand and the fever left her.

Matthew 8:16
Miracle:Those that were possessed with devils
Who had faith:It takes faith and courage to come to the Savior for help.


​​Matthew 8:23-27
Miracle:Calming the winds and the sea
Who had faith:The disciples were afraid of perishing in the storm. Only after Christ calmed the sea did they have more faith in Him. We know this because it says, "but the men marvelled..what manner of man is this.."

Matthew 8:28-34
Miracle:Casting out devils
Who had faith:The men that were possessed with devils had faith enough to be healed. I know it sounds weird but it almost sounds like the devils had faith enough to be cast out.

Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34
Miracle:    Issue of blood
Who had faith:This woman had great faith. She had faith enough to believe that if she could only touch His clothes that she would be healed.

Matthew 9:27-31
Miracle:Give the blind sight
Who had faith:Two blind men knew that Christ could heal them. He asked, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" and they said yes.

Mark 2:1-12
Miracle:Sick with palsy and forgiving sins
Who had faith:The family who brought the man, the man sick with palsy and I think even the men who were questioning Christ gained faith.

 In today’s world a lot of people only believe what they can see and touch. We have to exercise faith in Christ that these miracles can still happen and still help us. It’s hard when the world is pushing you to believe the opposite. I remember the first blessing that I got when I was a freshman in college. Talk about testing my faith. That was also my first healing blessing. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work. It was past curfew so I didn’t have access to go get what I needed to feel better. The R.A. allowed to have a friend come and administer to me. With all my might I prayed to have enough faith to be healed. It worked! I think about that time everytime I read about Christ’s miracles. I’m still in awe of the power of faith. It really can move mountains.