“And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.”  Matthew 14:32-36

Many are quite familiar with the account of Peter walking on the water, after all it is one of the most spoken of miracles in the Bible. The fear of the Disciples, Peter’s courage to get out of the boat, his failure as the storm increased, and the saving hand of Christ keeping Peter from drowning all set the stage for Christ to be reveled once more to His disciples.

The Scriptures are filled with one event after the next revealing Jesus as the Son of God.  Several questions can arise as you study each instance but one very important question, perhaps the most important, that has a need to be answered is, “What am I to do now that I have seen Christ?”

The actions of the Disciples after Peter and Christ return to the boat reveal much concerning the actions that you should take. Putting these into action reveals that you have truly seen Christ working in your life.

Action #1  Worshiping Christ (Living out His worth)

“…Then they that were in the ship came and worshiped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God…“

The point of every work (the things we call miracles) that Christ does in your life, is for you to see Him. When Christ is recognized He is to be worshiped. This worship is not for others to see, although they may, the worship is to be directed to Christ.

In our church culture worship often becomes a distraction.  This was not any different in Christ’s time here on the earth. Remember the woman at the well? When Christ confronted her about her sins, she quickly changed the topic to worship.  Worship can be an easy distraction from the real needs of the soul if the focus on worship is anything but Christ. If you have seen Christ you will want to worship but you will not be concerned with who sees you or what style of worship for true worship is merely acknowledging who Christ is in action and word.

If you have seen Christ acknowledge Him. Take the step of living out who you have seen Him to be, as the Disciples saw, He is the Son of God.

Action #2 Moving On

“And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.“

It is too easy to stay put, especially when something good just happened.  Christ took three of His Disciples up into the mount where Christ met with Elijah and Moses.  Peter was so overwhelmed by the experience that he wanted to stay right there and build tabernacles to celebrate the experience. God spoke revealing what was important, “Listen to my Son!”

Before the walking on the water experience Christ told His disciples to go to other side. On their way over they encountered the storm that delayed them until Christ was recognized and things changed.  They were able to move on.

We must likewise move on from where we are to where Christ has called us.  Remember He not only saved us from sin but he saved us to good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).  It is far too easy to stay put, but Christ allows you to see Him to move you beyond yourself and your current circumstances.  If you have seen Christ, move on. Beyond you, his power is available for great things.

Action #3  Sharing the Good News

“…And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about…”

Seeing Christ cannot be kept quiet and those who have knowledge of Him share the good news of Christ.  In other words those who have experienced Christ in their life will share what Christ has done.  They realize that their personal experience of Christ is to be used to let others know what Christ can do.

Too many make excuses as to why they do not share but all throughout the Scripture those who truly saw Christ as the Son of God could not keep it to themselves, they had to share.  The leper was told to not share but he had too.  The blind man could not help himself, he had to testify.

You have seen Him, do not keep it quiet. Share with others the life changing power of Christ.

Action #4  Bringing Others to Christ

“…and brought unto him all that were diseased…”

It does not take much to see the needs of the people around us.  So many are hurting emotionally, physically, and in so many other areas of life. If you have seen Christ this is your opportunity to bring them to Him.

Bringing others to Christ is not done with force or manipulation but rather from a position of love and care.  It is done knowing who Christ is and the power that He has to change even the darkest situation.  Those who have seen Christ know this from experience.  You can bring hope and healing to those in need but remember you will never do this if you are not living out the other actions that have been mentioned.

Take the time to see those around you, notice where they are and what they are going through then bring them to Jesus.  Some may resist but others will come with you.  Do not focus on the ones who will not come but rather rejoice as you bring, perhaps only one, of them to Christ.

Action #5 Interceding for Others

“And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.”

Those who have seen Christ and those who know the struggles and battles others are going through are compelled by love to intercede for them.  I love this part of the story! Not only did they bring people to Christ but once they got to Christ they were begging Him to just let them touch the very hem of His Garment. I cannot help but to wonder if some of the “men who had knowledge” where present when the woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years touched the hem of Christ garment as was healed (Matthew 5).

You have seen Him, others have not.  They will only be able to see Christ if we understand the importance of interceding for others.  Take up their cause before the Son of God. I say with great confidence in Christ, they can be healed, changed, delivered, and forgiven.

Because you have seen Christ…

...Live out His Worth (Worship)

…Move on (Go)

…Share the good news (Testify)

…Bring them to Him (Care)

…Intercede (Pray)