A Little Deeper – Matthew 14: 23-31
23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
What does the Passage say?
V. 23-24 Jesus sends his disciples ahead of him, so he can withdraw from all distractions and spend time with God in prayer.
V. 25-31 Jesus follows his disciples, who were on a boat, by walking across the lake. The disciples see him and cry out in fear. Peter asks permission to walk on water, and he slowly approaches Jesus, but when the wind hits him, his fear emerges again, and he sinks.
What does the Passage say to me/us?
Today’s passage has an overarching theme. It is to focus on our Lord.
Jesus withdrew from the people, and even his disciples, to focus on his relationship with his Father.
After the prayer, and joining his disciples on the water, Peter asks if he can walk on water like Jesus. Jesus allows Peter to experience the miracle. Peter walks toward the water, while his eyes were fixed on Jesus. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink” (v. 30 NIV).
Once he lost his focus, fear, doubt overwhelmed Peter, and his supernatural experience was substituted by the law of physics.
When we lose focus on our Lord, we are bound to live under the law of physics/ world. However, when we step out of the world and lay our eyes onto Jesus, we will see how God leads us to live in this world, overcoming the law of physics.
Prayer
Lord, we come to you. We focus on your love and grace. When we carve out our time to spend time with you, may you open up the gates of heaven and pour out your grace and peace upon us.
In Christ name, AMEN.
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