Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 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?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33 NIV
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How many times have you heard this story? (If you’ve grown up in church, I know you’ve probably seen a felt board or two with this story demonstrated.) These stories never get old though.
In this story, Jesus had just finished performing miracles and He sent His disciples on ahead of Him in a boat. As they continued on, there came a storm and winds. Then Jesus started to walk out there to them…yes…He walked on water. In fact, the disciples thought He was a ghost! The thing to remember is—Jesus knew that there was a storm coming but He sent them on anyway. Maybe it was that He wanted to prove to them that He was stronger than any storm.
Jesus really is bigger than what you are going through. And He knew, too, exactly where you would be today. Are you going to trust Him? What if He asks you to walk on water…like He asked Peter? Would you stay afloat with your eyes on Him or would you sink in your circumstances? Oh, friend, Jesus wants so much for you to trust Him, and to look to Him, and know that He is able to calm any storm or still those crashing waves around you. Take that first step of faith today and walk out onto the water and meet your Savior! Then, like Peter, you will say “Truly You are the Son of God!”
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Do you know Him? He knows you and He wants you to know Him. I hope you will pray this with me today…
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I believe that Jesus is Your Son and that He died on the Cross for my sins. So I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. Help me to walk closer to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
