Today's Gospel from Matthew 14, 22-33, shows what can be achieved when you have faith in the Lord. Reach out and take God's hand and He will help you through all your troubles.
1. The boat was beaten by the waves
It's interesting how many time we find Jesus alone on a mountain top or in a boat. Given the large following and great appeal he had, he probably had a hard time maintaining some privacy. The boat here represents our life and the waves are the many troubles we face whether they be social, economical, or political. The waves are the stresses we face as we journey through life.
2. Jesus walks on the water
This demonstrates the power Jesus has over all. Even in the worst storm (the time of most distress in your life) Jesus is there and available for you. Even when He was suffering on the cross He walked on water (He was there) for the person who was being crucified with Him.
3. The disciples were terrified, they thought it was a ghost
In time of distress it's natural to feel terrified. In this situation there was a potential for being tossed overboard and maybe even drowning. In their anxiety to save themselves they did not believe that Jesus was reaching out to them (walking on water). There was another time right after the resurrection when Jesus appeared to them and they thought He was a ghost. In both these instances we see a lack of belief, a lack of faith.
4. Jesus makes Himself known saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
Picture yourself drowning knowing that there was nobody there with you. As you come up from under water to gasp for air you think you see your best friend. As you go down again you think that your mind is playing tricks on you - you're seeing things that are not there. When you surface again, you hear your friend shouting, "hold on, don't worry, I'm coming!" Knowing your friend is at hand you are encouraged to keep struggling because he's going to save you.
5. Peter gets out of the boat and walks on water
Peter does this out faith, trust and love for Jesus. I remember when the boys were infants crawling around their attempts at getting up to walk would always end up in them falling. One of the exercises that we did was my wife would hold the baby on his two feet and I would position myself four to five feet away. I would hold out my arms and tell, (encourage) the baby to come to me, forcing him to walk on his own two feet. The baby would always make the attempt because of a similar trust and faith. The baby would forget about the pitfalls and the bumps and bruises that could come with a fall. He knew that even if he stumbled, we were there to catch him.
6. He was afraid and started to sink
Peter was doing fine until he was distracted by the wind that kicked up. That momentary distraction caused him to lose faith and fall back into the water. It's the same with the baby that starts to take a few steps towards the father or mother hears a noise or someone else, is distracted, loses his balance and falls.
7. Jesus saves him
He tells Peter, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" Jesus is always there giving us his hand. It's up to us to grasp it firmly and hold on no matter what happens.
I believe there are safety regulations or laws that mandate that you have a life jacket for each person on board a boat.
Make room on your boat if you have not already done so for the greatest lifesaver, Jesus.
Don't be afraid, He's not a ghost.
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