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After Jesus speaks to the crowd he sends his disciples to the other side of the lake. They go by boat. Jesus stays behind
to pray.
While the disciples are traveling in the boat, there is a storm. This storm is large enough to frighten
the men. and the waves are crashing against the boat; and the men are frightened.
Peter looks out at the water and
sees a figure walking on it.
The men are frightened more so by now. They think they see a ghost. Peter is certain
it is their Teacher, Jesus.
Peter called out to Jesus to let him walk on the water to him. Jesus asked him to
do so.
Peter walked on water. The storm is still raging. The wind is blowing. The waves are crashing. Yet, Peter
walks on water.
Then a large wave crashed against the water near him, and Peter became frightened. Peter took his
attention off Jesus and payed attention to the storm raging around him. It was then that he began to sink. He looked before
him and called out to Jesus for help.
The scripture says that Jesus IMMEDIATELY was there to hold out his hand to
Peter. It is understood that Peter still had a ways to walk to reach Jesus, yet Jesus was immediately there to help Peter
in his time of need.
Together the men walked back to the boat and it was then that Jesus calmed the storm raging
around them. (Note: this section is different from another calming of the storm.)
Peter had enough faith to say that
if it was his Lord, his Teacher, he could walk on water to meet him. Yet, Peter also needed assurance that it was his Lord
walking towards them and not a ghost. Jesus answered the man's desires, and Peter walked on water.
As long as Peter
had his eyes on his Lord, he was able to do the impossible. Once he took his eyes off his Lord, he was unable to continue
the path before him. He was frightened and discouraged. He began to falter and sink.
This passage has a few lessons
wrapped in it.
First, Peter knew that with Jesus as his Guide he knew that he would be able to do the impossible.
Second, Peter had faith that the others did not have. He trusted his Lord for something that the others did not.
Third, when Peter was in trouble, he knew who to call upon. When he did, Jesus was IMMEDIATELY there. It was not
later, or in a few minutes but IMMEDIATELY. Jesus is there as soon as we ask him to be there. He is as close as the mention
of his name.
Fourth, the storm not only represents a physical struggle of the sea, it also represents the troubles
and trials, and temptations, and problems, etc that we face daily. Jesus did not calm the storm until they were in the boat.
Peter and Jesus walked back to the boat with the storm raging around them. Jesus gave Peter the strength needed to walk to
the boat and get into it. If we ask Him to, Jesus will walk with us and strengthen us as we go through our days. He may not
take away the troubles, but he will give us the strength to go through them and come out victorious. He will walk with us.
And He will not leave us.
I want to encourage you that when you feel like you are sinking, call on Jesus. He will
IMMEDIATELY be there to help us, and strengthen us and walk with us as we go through our day to day trials. He is always there
when we ask. Have faith that He will help you as you keep your eyes on Him.
Thank you for hearing
me out. If you have any questions email me. Thank you.
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