The Angry Waves
On the show “The Chosen,” prior to the Apostle Peter’s “come to Jesus moment” he is stuck in tax trouble. He needs to pay off his debt to Rome and he needs a major haul of fish to pay it. Which then leads to the actual event in the Bible where Peter and his partners are told to “cast their nets on the other side” as the kid’s tune goes (Luke 5). It is an awesome visual to think about. Whether The Chosen’s background to the story is remotely true or not, God provides.
In 1 Peter 5:6-8, the epistle reads “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful.” The older, maturer Peter seems to be speaking from experience. When reading the Gospels it doesn’t take long to see Peter slip up in all of these areas. It stands to reason that he would admonish those he was mentoring to avoid those mistakes. He would also be familiar with the idea of casting the net as a former fisherman. Although the Greek terms are different in those two passages let’s take a look at CAST in dealing with our anxiety.
Compassion- Compassion will always be key when it comes to how we love others as ourselves. The problem comes in when we don’t treat ourselves very well. Some of the most compassionate people are often the ones who are the least kind to themselves. They’re always thinking of how much better they could be personally. This becomes an issue when we never let ourselves rest or give ourselves permission to relax and enjoy life. These thoughts can get out of hand and dangerous if allowed to continue. I believe we see an example of this in the Gospels when Judas takes his own life after betraying Jesus. Peter on the other hand is remorseful over his denial of Jesus but doesn’t give up on life. Those are extreme examples but they show how important it is to be compassionate to yourselves and those around you.
Assistance- This important aspect of life can show up in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is a helping hand or listening ear. Sometimes it can be constructive criticism and depending on your outlook, it can be a harsh word or maybe even a painful experience. I’ve been assisted by people all of my life. From parents, teachers, coaches, aunts, uncles or even cousins. You name them, I’ve probably been “assisted” by them. Peter was similar. He was rebuked by Jesus and later the Apostle Paul. Talk about a “who’s who” of rebukers. It would be really easy to get discouraged and I’m sure Peter did. He seemed to bounce back because of the words “He cares for you.” I can’t begin to imagine the relief Peter must have felt when Jesus showed up on that seashore after the resurrection. Choosing to forgo docking the boat, Peter swims to the shore to meet him. He was eager to fellowship with the risen Savior. We need to be willing to accept help when it is offered. I’ve known too many people who decided to struggle alone even though help was offered. People who have some kind of medical procedure and refuse to ask for prayers. We do not have to suffer alone and we are commanded by Jesus not to do so in Matthew 11:29. Accept the life saving assistance and if necessary demand it. People are not mind readers so you may have to ask and that is ok.
Sober-minded- Peter speaks to the importance of being watchful in response to the devil’s prowess in seeking those to devour. Once again Peter has first hand knowledge along with acknowledging it in other’s lives. He knows how it feels to be in the claws of the counterfeit lion. He wants his brothers and sisters to know the path of anxiety that can lead us into satan’s snare. A healthy level of alertness is important to maintain. Peter’s emotions got the best of him on several occasions throughout the Gospels. As mentioned previously, Paul states in Galatians that he withstood Peter face to face because he wanted to appease the popular crowd. As long as we are alive, we must be alert to our surroundings and how our actions effect those around us. This takes the willingness to be sensitive and to admit that we are susceptible.
Trust- Admitting we are susceptible means we are vulnerable. Being vulnerable with someone means you trust them. You’ve likely heard the phrase “trust issues.” We all to some level have them. If you’ve lived long enough you’ve had your heart broken and/or been take advantage of. We can even be heartbroken that we’ve hurt someone else. Peter was intimate with this feeling as well. We know from the Gospels that he was close enough to Jesus during his late night trial that Jesus could see him (Luke 22:61). When Jesus locked eyes with Peter, Peter left and “wept bitterly.” Their relationship had been forged through the dirty roads that lead from town to town, the excitement of the Transfiguration, and “the mighty hand of God” lifting him out of the sea as he began to sink. Was their bond strong enough to survive a verbal, outright denial? The answer can be found in the assist from the mighty hand of God. The same mighty hand of God that lifted Peter out of the sea would be the same hand that prepared breakfast for the denier after the Resurrection. God provides. God can be trusted. He may not always remove the hardship but he will never forsake you.
Once again Jesus says in Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” the yoke is an instrument of assistance. It doesn’t mean the burden will always be removed. It does mean you’ll never carry it alone. When Peter stepped out of the boat on that sea, he knew the water was there. He knew the possibilities. It was when Peter focused on the uncontrollable externals instead of the Creator of those waters that he began to sink. Anxiety can feel like you’re drowning. Forgiving yourself, seeking assistance, staying in the moment and trusting God can keep you afloat amongst the angry waves.
Travis