Thursday / Walking on the Water
Read Matthew 14: 22-33 (NLT)
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
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 out, “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?”
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Think
I got caught in a rip-tide once while swimming in the ocean off the North Carolina coast. The whole family was there on vacation, and we’d been enjoying the water for a week. But this day, there was a danger lurking that I didn’t see. I don’t remember much of the event now, almost thirty years later. I was swimming and floating, and then the current was pulling me out. In my panic, I heard my dad calling to me to look at him, just keep my eyes on him. I spotted him nearby, reaching out to me. I tried not to fight the current, swam and floated parallel to the beach toward my dad. I remember the relief that swept over me as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to shore.
I imagine that’s what Peter felt when Jesus grabbed his hand and lifted him back up onto the waves. He’d been doing fine, just keeping his eyes on Jesus. But the waves were rolling under his feet and the wind whipped the rain in his face. In the face of the storm, he turned his stinging eyes away from Jesus. And seeing the apparent desperation of his predicament, he panicked.
It happens to me, too. I take a step out of the boat, faithfully trying to follow where Jesus leads. Sometimes it goes well. But sometimes I look around me at the monsters and mountains and pitfalls and dangers and my courage just melts away. I take my eyes off of Jesus and I start to sink. In desperation, I cry out for help and Jesus is right there, pulling me back up to safety.
Jesus didn’t wait around when his friends were afraid; he saved them immediately. And God won’t wait when I call for help, either. God’s Holy Spirit, will be with me immediately as I call, calming my fears in the middle of life’s storms. He won’t always make the storm go away, but he’ll always be right there, my calm center no matter what’s going on around me. I just need to keep my eyes on him.
Pray
Most gracious and amazing God, I can’t thank you enough for all the times you’ve caught my hand and pulled me back above the waves. I hear your voice saying, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here.” Lord, help me to listen to your voice when the storms of life are howling around me. Keep my eyes fixed on you, Lord and hold my hand so that I will be safe. Amen.
Do
Do you have a memory of a time when God came through for you in a moment of fear or danger? Spend some time thinking about the event. Try to imagine it happening from God’s perspective. Would things have been different if you’d been able to keep your focus on Jesus the whole time?
Or take a few moments in a quiet place, close your eyes and imagine the scene: the storm, Jesus walking on the water. Put yourself in Peter’s place and step out of the boat, eyes on Jesus. Then notice the storm. Start to sink and cry out. How do you feel when Jesus takes your hand? Try to keep that feeling with you as you go through your day.
The View from Mt. Hope 