Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Lord, if it’s you, Peter answered him, command me to come to you on the water. He said, Come. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, Lord, save me!
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, You of little faith, why did you doubt? When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, Truly you are the Son of God. Matthew 14:28-33 CSB
Eyes on Jesus
After a long day of working with Jesus the disciples were making their way home in the boat as there was a storm brewing. The waves were tossing and the water spilling over the side as they fought to guide the boat across the lake. They looked up to see Jesus on the water walking towards them. They were frightened, believing they were seeing a ghost. Jesus called to them, Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Peter is the one who spoke up and challenged, Lord, if that is really you, command me to come to you on the water. He said, Come.
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine but he suddenly noticed that the storm was still raging around him. As soon as he lost focus, his faith was affected and he began to sink. When he looked around at the circumstances, he started believing that the storm was going to defeat him. He lost faith. If we forget that Jesus is right there to help us, we can let the storms of life cause us to sink. First, I would like to point out that Jesus came to the disciples in the middle of the storm. Jesus will be there for us in the middle of our storms. He will meet us where we are. Second, if we keep our focus on Jesus, we can do mighty things for God by faith. We have to keep our eyes on Him even when the storm is raging around us, or the storm will swallow us up.
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine but he suddenly noticed that the storm was still raging around him. As soon as he lost focus, his faith was affected and he began to sink. When he looked around at the circumstances, he started believing that the storm was going to defeat him. He lost faith. If we forget that Jesus is right there to help us, we can let the storms of life cause us to sink. First, I would like to point out that Jesus came to the disciples in the middle of the storm. Jesus will be there for us in the middle of our storms. He will meet us where we are. Second, if we keep our focus on Jesus, we can do mighty things for God by faith. We have to keep our eyes on Him even when the storm is raging around us, or the storm will swallow us up.
Why Peter?
Don’t be afraid to ask to step out into the storm. Peter was invited by Jesus simply because he asked Jesus if he could come. None of the other disciples asked. Peter asked for permission and then he waited for the Lord to say come. He didn’t jump immediately out of the boat. The faith that walks on water is faith that waits on God until He answers. Too many Christians ask and then impatiently step off the edge right into the stormy sea. Faith waits on the Lord, and takes all of God’s word into consideration.
When Peter heard Christ say come, he stepped out of the boat in complete obedience, in spite of fear or the boiling waves. Remember, God did not quiet the storm so Peter could step out onto a sea of glass. He had to step out into the fray with complete trust. God will be with us always but that does not mean that He will quiet the storm. It means He will be there as the waves crash against us and the lightning strikes. Peter knew that on his own he could never walk on water but with the help of God, all things are possible. God’s grace is sufficient for us. He isn’t expecting us to do anything on our own: Apart from Me, you can do nothing. He will amply supply us with all the grace and strength we need to do His will: My grace is sufficient for you.
A Powerful Prayer
When Peter started to sink he uttered what is probably the shortest prayer in the Bible: Lord, save me. Peter starts out with good intentions, but his faith falters. This does not, however, end up in failure. Peter, even in his fear, cries out to the Lord, the only one who can help him. Some of our most powerful and intimate prayers are only a few words in length. It does not take a lot of words to get the point across sometimes. Think of the feeling you have when you hear your child cry Help! You don’t need much more information than that to get a quick reaction from any parent. Our Heavenly Father is no different. He, in fact, already knows what we need before we ask; He just wants us to ask.
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
