Episode #98 Glimpses of the Bible’s True Main Character – Noticing God

Hi friends. When we talk about noticing God in scripture, there are a lot of places that we can get turned around or distracted in our Bible reading. And we've talked about a few of those already, as we're going through the series of noticing God. We started with episode 90, where we're looking at God's big, beautiful story and how all of the Bible is about him and how some of us, myself included, can get distracted by looking for me in the passage and treating the Bible more like a reference book.

And we've also talked about remembering the people in these Bible stories are actual people that had person to person interactions with God. And one of the other pitfalls that I have fallen into myself, and that I see other people struggle with sometimes, is when we start learning about these real-life people, we can turn our attention away from God and replace the main character in our mindset with the person—instead of with God as the main character of his story.

There is encouragement that we can have from their testimonies. There are aspects of character that we want to emulate or that we don't want to emulate. We can learn from their experiences with God and that's all good.

But what I want to draw our attention to today is the opportunity to take in Bible stories, but to look through them with our focus on God as the main character of the story.

God is always the main character. Every story in the Bible points to Jesus. Every aspect of scripture is part of God's grand story, showing us who he is and what he's like and what he is like toward us. All scripture is part of God's grand narrative of his loving redemption for humanity.

And so today, we're just going to spend a few quick moments looking at a familiar Bible story, but I want you to practice turning your attention to look at Jesus as he is on display in the story.

This is the time that Peter walks on water. And I chose this story for a few different reasons. One has to do with Peter and his split attention. Also, it's a common story discussed in reference to Peter's actions, Peter's faith, what Peter did or didn't do. I'm not discrediting any of those conversations.

But instead, as I read the story for us, ask God to show you what you can notice about Him.

God, what are you showing me about yourself here?

How can I see you more in this story?

I'm reading from Matthew 14:22-33. There's a bunch of times when Jesus is referred to as He. And so for the sake of our reading today, I'm just going to replace that word “he” with “Jesus” in a few different places. Remember, we're shifting our attention to focus on Him for what He wants to show us about Himself in the passage.

“Immediately [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while [Jesus] dismissed the crowds. And after [Jesus] had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night [Jesus] came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw [Jesus] walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’ And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ [Jesus] said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matthew 14:22-33)

Even as I finish reading that story, take note of where your attention is drawn to. I still feel my attention drawn to Peter, him getting out of the boat or stumbling or what Jesus said to him in invitation and in response when he got afraid of the waves.

But what we get to pay attention to instead. is how Jesus is on display here.

Christ's character, Christ's actions, how Jesus demonstrated relationship with God and with the disciples, how Jesus demonstrated who he is, in this passage of scripture. And so I encourage you, ask God to talk with you more about it. My prayer is that through this passage of scripture, God has highlighted some things for you about himself that maybe you haven't noticed before or that you haven't considered for a while. I wonder what God wants to show you about how He's on display in this story, and about how He is the same God who's also at work in your life today. So again, here's that question:

God, what are you showing me about yourself here?

Have a good talk.

And if you've been encouraged by this content, please share it with a friend and help them grow in their conversational relationship with God too!

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