“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.’ “ – Matthew 14:29-30
Immediately Jesus rescues Peter and walks with him back to the boat. When they get into the boat, the wind stops and the disciples can’t help but worship Him as the true Son of God.
In these 11 verses there is so much rich truth that has really stuck with me.
1) Jesus took time to be alone. “He went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” In the current season I find myself in, I have noticed that I desire more time alone. I am an extrovert, but lately I have wanted more time to be quiet and still before the Lord. Silence and solitude and Sabbath are all things I am learning to put into practice. Those are all things that are hard for me, but they help to replenish my soul, which I desperately need!
2) Peter got out of the boat. I can’t imagine what must have been going through his mind. Was he excited? Was he nervous? Was he afraid? I think I would have been a combination of all of those feelings! But, despite what was going through his head, he got out of the boat. He put his foot down on the surface of the water and in that moment his faith was greater than his fear. Is Jesus calling you to get out of your comfort zone? Is he saying, “Come.”? I think I would have quickly been worried about what other people would think if I fail. What if I look like an idiot when this doesn’t work? But it sounds like Peter didn’t even give time for those thoughts to register. Jesus said, “Come” and he got out of the boat.
3) BUT. The word “but” in a sentence signals that we are about to read the opposite. He was walking on the water! He was walking toward Jesus! And then came the “BUT”. “But, when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ “ And just like that, his fear took over his faith. How many times have I done the very same thing? I feel brave. I feel obedient. BUT then circumstances or people make waves around me and instead of locking my eyes on Jesus, I look down. And I begin to sink like a rock. What would have happened if Peter had fixed his eyes on Jesus? How would this story have been different? How many of us made bold steps forward on January 1, but we’ve already started fearing the wind and worrying about the waves just a few weeks later? What is the “wind” swirling around you right now that has caused you to take your eyes off Jesus?
4) When we cry out to Jesus, He saves us immediately - in His time. “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him…” Now, Peter may have felt like those seconds when he was sinking lasted an eternity, but the Bible says Jesus immediately reached out his hand. There have been many times in my life where I wondered if Jesus would ever bring rescue or restoration. The sinking seemed to last years, not seconds, but one thing I have learned is that He is faithful and I can trust Him even when His timing doesn’t make sense to me. I also see that there have been many times when I have waited way too long to cry out to Jesus. I am trying to create a new rhythm in my life where He is the first one I run to. That is not always my natural tendency, but in His arms is the only place I find the peace, comfort, and clarity that my soul desperately longs for.
So, let's get out of the boat. And let's fix our eyes on Jesus in the midst of the wind and waves that will surely come.
Great thoughts :)
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