“Matthew 14:22-33”

Wednesday, June 03, 2020

“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; 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. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘You are certainly God’s Son!’”

---End of Scripture Verses---

It was a rough, stormy night on the sea. It was bad enough that the wind and the waves were battering the disciples’ small boat, but it was even more frightening to see someone strolling along on the storm-tossed surf as if all was right with the world. Stop for a moment and actually try to envision this scene in your mind. Place yourself in the boat with Jesus’ disciples. How terrified must these men have been?

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (verse 27). It is Jesus and not an evil spirit roaming the angry sea. The storm is still raging, but everything is going to be alright now. Jesus is here. Torrents of anguish are replaced by a wave of relief. We have nothing to fear when Jesus is beside us. Life won’t always be easy and sometimes it can get quite chaotic. But if we stay faithful to Jesus and trust in His power to save, all will be well with our souls.

“Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (verse 28). Peter was brave enough to get out of the boat and he actually walked on the surface of water (verse 29)! That took a tremendous amount of faith! But Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the storm instead. His faith began to shrink and he began to sink (verse 30). How quickly we can vacillate between highs and lows, between faith and fear. Such is the nature of this human life that often hits us with wave after wave.

Paralyzed by fear, Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” It is comforting to know that Jesus will not let us sink. As long as we cry out to Him, reach out to Him; He will pull us out of the depths of despair.

sometimes men of great conviction are reduced to people of strong doubt and little faith (verse 31). If we are determined to not stay in that dreary place, Jesus won’t leave us there.

“And those who were in the boat worshiped Him” (verse 33). Yes, do that. Worship Jesus a lot. As much as you possibly can.

Please read Matthew 16:13-28 for tomorrow – Jesus predicts His death.

Have a blessed Day!

-Louie Taylor

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