Matthew 14:22-36

Matthew 14:22-36
This is probably one of the most famous and dramatic incidents in the life of Christ. Anyone who attended children's Sunday school probably heard this story.

After the feeding of the 5000, Jesus sent His disciples in a boat to the other side of a large lake. He Himself withdrew to a mountainside to pray. This is an important example for us. We all desperately need time alone with the Father. But this is so hard! We live in a society that is full of constant noise and activity, and it takes special discipline to carve out time alone to pray and fellowship with the Father. This was a priority to Jesus, and it should be to us as well.

While out on the lake, the disciples were experiencing wind and waves, and Jesus came toward them walking on the water. What would you think? Probably exactly what the disciples thought--that they were seeing a ghost! And surely no one wants to see a ghost! They were terrified. "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'" Isn't that just like Jesus to assure them that they needn't be afraid. He is in control.

The impetuous Peter was the only one who reacted in faith and asked Jesus to let him also walk on the water, and Jesus allowed this special miracle for Peter. It's true that he looked around him at the waves, and his fear caused him to falter a little, but we can't be too hard on Peter. Most of us have never stepped out on faith in quite such a dramatic manner. He immediately did the right thing and cried out to Jesus, "Lord, save me!" This is exactly what we all should do when we find ourselves "drowning" in troubles of any kind--cry out to Jesus and trust Him to reach out His hand and catch us just as He did for Peter.

"Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'" When they had crossed over, the people came to Jesus and brought their sick to Him, and He healed them. These verses do not say whether or not the people were seeking spiritual healing as well as physical. It's important to remember that though we can trust God for our needs here on this earth, our most important need is eternal! "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16