Bible In A Year | Read: Matthew 14
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, 24and 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. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33
The Herod talked about here is the son of Herod who killed the boys in chapter 2. Herod convinced Herodius to divorce his brother, Philip, and marry him instead. John had criticized them for doing this and was put in prison. Herodius gets her revenge by manipulating Herod into beheading John. Herod must have had a guilty conscience because, when he hears about Jesus, he thinks John the Baptist has come back to life. Jesus performed a couple of amazing miracles by feeding 5000 people with a small lunch and by walking on water. Peter had an amazing experience despite his wavering faith. He has enough faith to get out of the boat, but not enough to stay on top of the water.
We see a couple of examples of responses to Jesus’ miracles. Herod was aware of Jesus’ miracles, but does nothing to become one of his followers. Herod seems to react more in fear. Peter’s response is to be a follower, but a somewhat unreliable one. Obviously, we are better off being an unreliable follower than one who rejects Jesus altogether. Peter’s faith, like ours, will have a chance to grow as he has more experiences with Jesus.
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
This came from the mouth of a man who did not think before he spoke! Has your mouth gotten you into trouble lately? You are in good company. Still, Jesus used it to release a great lesson – and blessing. Peter walked on the water! Yes, he struggled in faith – but he did it.
Which storm are you in today? Does it need to be made still? Or is it there to grow your faith? We do not know until we ask. Be ready to step out of the boat though!
Prayer
Father, I am scared to ask. Will You ask me to step out of the boat too? I know that my faith is too small for that. Still, if You say “come”, then You mean it. So I struggle with a desire for greater faith and a fear of exposure for my lack of faith. As the storm rises, I keep asking You to calm the storm – and You make it even worse. I know it is because there is a need for growing faith. Give me both a discerning heart and a heart of faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Action Step
What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
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