Gravity Can’t Hold Jesus Down!

By: C.N.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be an astronaut. I get to go to space, dress like a cooler version of the Michelin Man, eat floating chicken, and sleep upside down? Sign me up! The thought of defying gravity and not having my weight work against me made me smile so big, David could throw a stone at my face at 100mph, and I’d still be smiling; I’d just have a smile with a few less teeth (for reference purposes, please check out my earlier post on the story of David and Goliath: https://jesusbedtimestories.com/i-eat-giants-like-you-for-breakfast-by-c-n-ah-after-getting/). How cool would it be to wake up from a nap, only 10 inches from the stars? Instead of looking like a confused string bean, I’d look like a shooting star! Awesome! While we mortal humans can only float above the elements with the help of gravity, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, defied gravity just by walking…just by moving! Can you say, BOSS?!?! I think so. Let’s take a closer look at this divine miracle, shall we?

Shortly after Jesus had performed another of his many miracles, feeding 5,000 people with a young boy’s lunch (5 loaves of bread and 2 fish) (Matthew 14:13-21 KJV), Jesus instructed his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee by boat. The disciples had a bumpy ride, however, as they encountered a huge storm along the way (we’re talking rain, roaring winds, thunder, lightning, the works!). The disciples became very afraid, but then, in the blink of an eye, they saw Jesus himself walking on the water toward them. Please allow me to repeat that: Jesus walked on water-he didn’t sink, he didn’t have to exercise his superior swimming skills, second to none (sorry, Michael Phelps fans), nor did he need anyone’s help getting from one side of the Sea of Galilee to another. He simply walked on the water, as if it were the sidewalk (mind…BLOWN!). I think we can all imagine how the disciples reacted to seeing Jesus walk on water-they freaked out and thought that they were seeing a ghost (and not like Casper, the friendly ghost)! However, Jesus assured them that they didn’t have anything to worry about:

• Matthew 14:27 (KJV): But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Peter, one of Jesus’s disciples, wanted to prove that the moving figure was actually Jesus, and he asked Jesus to call him (Peter) to walk toward him. Is Peter really challenging Jesus? Peter, Petey boy, Petester, you’re barking up the wrong tree, my friend. Jesus had nothing to hide, however, and he told Peter to come toward him…as in walk on water toward him. STOP! I know what you’re all thinking, “Wait a minute! Peter is just a regular guy. How can he walk on water?” You’re absolutely right: Peter was a regular guy and couldn’t walk on water in his own strength, but he was in the presence of Jesus, God himself. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he’d be able to do the impossible (impossible to us, not God) and walk on water. Peter began to do it, he began walking on water, but as soon as Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink, cried out for Jesus to save him, Jesus reached his hand to Peter, and he carried Peter back to the boat. As soon as Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat with the other disciples, the storm stopped. Talk about a wild moment! At that very moment, Peter and the rest of the disciples worshiped Jesus and said Jesus was the Son of God.

We all know that Jesus is a miracle worker, but how would things have looked if Jesus had walked on water today? My creative juices are flowing! Let’s check it out! NOTE: I’ll be using modern language, technology, phrases, and ways of living in this story, as we’re picturing this miracle happening in the present day.

How is Jesus Not Sinking?!

By: C.N.

Biblical References: Matthew 14: 22-36 (KJV), Mark 6:45-56 (KJV), John 6:16-24 (KJV)

Peter (one of Jesus’s disciples): It’s just our luck to get caught in a huge storm AT NIGHT with no raincoat, no umbrella, no boots, and no roof on this boat!

John (one of Jesus’s disciples): Just calm down, Peter. You’re overreacting. Here’s a Snickers. You get a little loopy when you’re hungry. *John tosses Peter a Snickers bar*  I’m just as scared as you are, but we have to focus. Jesus told us that we must cross the Sea of Galilee, and we’re not turning back now!

James (one of Jesus’s disciples): Guys, I think I just had an accident on myself! I’m scared! I want to go home! Mommy!

JESUS CHRIST: Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Peter: Jesus?! Is that you!? You’re walking on water?! Are you sure that you’re not a ghost?! I just binge watched the 2nd season of Paranormal Activity, and I’ve seen a lot of people get tricked in situations like these. If that’s really you, Jesus, then ask me to come toward you.

JESUS CHRIST: *Speaking to Peter* Come.

Peter: *Nervous and sweating bullets the size of Tennessee* Um, okay, Jesus. You know that I can’t walk on water, and I’m not a good swimmer. I almost drowned when I tried to jump into the 8-foot end of the pool at my cousin’s birthday party the other day. It wasn’t a pretty sight, and my nose still hurts from that.

JESUS CHRIST: *Speaking to Peter* Come.

Peter: Okay, I’m coming. I’m keeping my eyes on you, Jesus. Oh my goodness! I’m doing it! I’m walking on water! I’m not sinking or anything! How do I know that I won’t suddenly start sinking?! Oh no! I’m scared! Help me, guys! *Peter looks away from Jesus and starts sinking* -Lord, save me!

*Jesus reaches his hand out to Peter, saves Peter’s life, and carries Peter back to the boat (Jesus is still walking on the water, mind you).*

JESUS CHRIST: O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Peter: I’m so sorry that I doubted you, Jesus. You saved my life, Jesus! You saved my life! You-oh my goodness.

The Rest of the Twelve Disciples: Oh my goodness.

All Twelve of the Disciples: *Worshiping Jesus Christ* Of a truth, thou art the Son of God.

The twelve disciples worshiped Jesus Christ, Peter included, after Jesus’s miraculous feat of walking on water, helping Peter to walk on water, as well as saving Peter’s life. This story teaches us about faith. We are to always have faith in Jesus Christ, which means that we should always believe that God loves us, that he knows all of our problems, that he’ll fix all of our problems, that he’ll always protect us, and that he’ll always be with us, even when we can’t see him.

Jesus tested Peter’s faith in the midst of a great storm; he wanted to see if Peter would trust him enough to walk on water, not be afraid, and know that Jesus would take care of him. When Peter focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on water, but when he looked away from Jesus, he sank. Whatever your storm may be, whether an actual thunderstorm, hunger, no money, sickness, feeling alone, feeling scared, or anything else, God is always with you. God will test our faith from time to time to make sure that we truly love him and trust him; God wants to be sure that we’re “all in” for him, not just halfway or a little bit. When we talk to Jesus in prayer and by reading the Bible, we can feel better in knowing that he will bring us through our storm. Just as Peter was able to walk on water when he focused on Jesus, if we always put God first and believe that he’ll do what we ask him to do, not only will he make things better, but he’ll help us to do things we could never do on our own, like walk on water. God bless you all!

-C.N.