In the Footsteps of Jesus #7

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-33

²²Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. ²⁵And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. ²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

²⁸And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." ²⁹He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind,^[c] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" ³²And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

"On Galilee"

One of the places most connected with the ministry of Jesus is the Sea of Galilee. Many miracles took place around or on it. A number of them involved Jesus' disciples out in a boat. The most famous of those incidents is the one recorded in today's Scripture.

The day we rode upon the Sea of Galilee, the breezes were mild and the waves gentle, but it can quickly turn around. When the wind whips down the Valley of the Doves, the sea can begin to church up big storms; storms that could frighten even the most seasoned of fisherman. So it was on that night during the fourth watch as the Twelve struggled against the wind and waves.

As Jesus always does He comes in the midst of the disciple's storm. "Don't be afraid!" He says. But that isn't enough for Peter. He wanted to come to Jesus on the waters. And he did. As long as he kept his eyes fixed on the Lord, he kept afloat, but as soon as he looked at the storm raging around him, he sank like a stone.

So it is today, the storms of life can arise seemingly out of nowhere, churning up our situations and threatening to sink us. Don't lose heart. Learn from Peter. Keep your eyes upon Jesus and He will walk with you through the storm.

Question: What storms are you facing today?

Prayer: Father, the storms of life are many; help us keep watching Jesus. Amen.