Walking with Jesus: part 6

Prayer

Jesus walks on water

Matthew 14:22–33 NLT

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

So this was right after Jesus preformed the fish and read miracle. Late at night we see the disciples get into a boat to go to the next place, but Jesus stayed behind. Maybe now he was getting a break! And at about 3 in the morning the disciples were about three to four miles out in the water and the waves were really strong. But here we see Jesus heads towards them, not on boat, not on kayak, but on foot!! Have you ever tried to stand on water? What happens when you try to? Not Jesus! How do you think the disciples reacted? They panicked and thought it was a ghost! But what does Jesus say? “Do not be afraid! Take courage, I am here” So Peter, the guy from the fisherman guy, asks Jesus if its really him to have him come out and walk towards Jesus on the waves. Jesus told him to, and then Peter was walking on waves!! But what do you think happened Peter got scared, looked around him, and he fell through the water. Jesus caught him. And said “You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?” And at this point they realized that Jesus really is the Son of God!

If you’re going to remember anything from this, do not be afraid. If Jesus tells you to go then you go. Do not doubt. The waves are high and scary but Jesus will catch you. So we need to focus on him and look to him instead of the raging waves around us.

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