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22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33 NIV Bible)
How strong is your faith now compared to say some years ago? Do you have more faith now or did you have more faith then? What things were you able to accomplish in your life because of God's influence on you? Were you willing to try new undone things?
As an example, I had faith, more than fifty years ago that I would go to college, graduate, then go on to graduate school (seminary), graduate, and then begin my ministerial career. All from a very blue class family (i.e. no money for college). The faith comes after one takes the first step. I trusted God would provide and answer my prayers and those of my parents. I was blessed in having as my pastor, a graduate of the only United Methodist Junior College west of the Mississippi River, Lon Morris College. He recommended it very highly and said that I should apply to attend. I did and in the summer of my high school graduation, a tall gentleman knocked on our door and it was a professor from Lon Morris College. The caller was The Rev. C. R. Oliver, and he was the professor of sociology. I did not have an idea that he was there to also tell me that I was admitted and that I was a recipient of a work-study scholarship. One prayer answered.
Nellie and I and a group of ministers and spouses were on these very waters of today's passage. The director of our group explained how the mountains on both sides of the Sea of Galilee, allowed for sudden, unexpected storms, some very violent. The disciples knew this, even Peter, and as the passage describes the wind was causing the waves to be violent. And as the boat is tossed to and fro, Jesus is walking on water. This, dear friends, is a miracle, an unexplainable act of God meant not to be understood but to instruct and bless. The disciples at first believe they're seeing a ghost and say so, but Jesus, ever the comforter explains that it is He and for them not to be afraid. It is here that Peter gets the idea that he too, could walk on water. For Peter to have even asked if he too, could walk on water was an incredible act of faith. The Lord Jesus replies that he can and he should. And that, dear friends, requires a lot of faith. Can you imagine that first step? Peter steps on what should not even support him. And yet, Peter takes that step, then another. Peter's eyes were on Jesus and that, dear one, is what made this possible. The verse that reveals what happens next is verse 30, "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. "You of little faith," He said, "Why did you doubt?" When the two of them climbed into the boat the wind died down, and the ones in the boat began to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God.
In our lives if we can keep our sight on Jesus and not on the worries and stresses of our lives, we can do much, especially overcoming the very obstacles that brought us the worries and stresses. It is difficult at times to completely focus on Jesus, but that should be our main goal. With all the hollering and shouting that comes our way for this or that, we can tune our focus on Christ Jesus. Jesus Himself set the model; He was a man with two holy habits; prayer and worship. Though He was the Son of God, He knew to be in connection with God was to be in prayer. He also knew the blessings that came through being in worship of God and so as the gospels say, "as was His custom." What can be said about our customs? Are we people of prayer? Are we people of worship?
PRAYER: Loving God, make us people of powerful holy habits and increase our faith as we seek to keep our vision on You. Guide us, bless us and help us be a blessing to others; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Help others keep their focus on Jesus.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
