Submitted by Pastor Brad Dush, Fairfax Methodist Church

I recently ran across a picture in a coffee shop. It wasn’t an unfamiliar image; I have seen it several times. It is a rather popular image of Jesus floating around. Even though I had seen it many times, this day in particular, the image spoke to me. It is entitled “Hand of God” by Yongsung Kim. This artwork depicts the story of Jesus walking on water and Peter joining Him from Peter’s point of view. The image is arranged so Peter is underwater, looking up at Jesus standing on the water’s surface. The story is found in Matthew 14:24-31, NLT.

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

That day, I noticed something different about the picture: Jesus’ hand is below the water’s surface.

In my mind, the story plays out with Peter reaching out of the water toward Jesus for assistance. At first glance, you might not think there is a big difference between the two. The one constant is Peter reaching out regardless of whose hand is breaking the surface. The difference is the length to which Jesus goes in His reaching out. If it is required that our hands breach the surface of the water, there would come a point where we would be hopeless and beyond rescue. Romans 5:6, NLT states, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” When we were ‘helpless,’ this tells me we could find ourselves in dire straights and in need of saving! We might be unable to break through under our own devices and with our strength. The surface of the water might be out of reach. Thankfully, we know a guy who is not afraid of the water and is willing to reach as far as it takes to rescue us. Jesus doesn’t just reach as far as the surface of the water and wait for us; He breaks through, and I would argue He would jump in if that is what it takes.

Speaking of Jesus, Hebrews 7:25, ESV, notes, “Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. All this reality came rushing into my mind when I realized Jesus was reaching into the water in the painting. I thought to myself, Jesus reaches as deep as it takes to get to me; it is always worth reaching out ourselves. Jesus will meet us where we are if we reach out. The Hebrews text also points out we are saved to the uttermost. It is a comfort to know we are saved completely and perfectly in Christ and His finished work on The Cross. We are coming up on the holidays, and for many, it is a season of great joy, and still, for others, it can be a challenge. It is important to remember that Jesus reaches out as much as needed but will never force us to take His hand!