Devotionals by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8) 

I want to mention an example in which Jesus demonstrated His humanity—then immediately on the heels of that displayed His deity. Maybe you’ve never made such a study.

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat, and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. (Matthew 14:22-23 NASB 1995)

We see Jesus’ humanity as we find Him in prayer. You will never read of a place recorded in Scripture where God prays. Deity has no needs. Humans pray. Prayer is an expression of need. It is a declaration of adoration. God adores no one. There is no one higher to adore. He is self-contained, self-sufficient. All glory resides in Him. But mankind prays because of an expression of a need to worship, to ask for strength, to request assistance, guidance, or whatever. And that’s what Jesus is doing. In praying, He shows Himself man. His deity is displayed in the next scene:

And when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. (Matthew 14:23-25 NASB 1995)

It seemed to the disciples that Jesus came out of nowhere, walking toward them on the water. They looked across the sea and saw Him coming and they were scared to death. They screamed: “Phantasma! Phantasma!” That’s the word Matthew used. It is from that word we get our word “fantasy” or “fantastic” or “phantom.” It’s as if they yelled, “It’s an apparition! It’s a ghost! Look!”

Only man prays. Only God walks on water. According to Matthew, Jesus Christ did both.

Taken from Growing Deep in the Christian Life by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1986, 1995 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com

Used with permission. All rights reserved.

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