Reflecting the Image

Scripture:

Matthew 14:22–33. Matt. 14:22   Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 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.”

Matt. 14:28   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?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (NRSVUE)

Observation:

Jesus had just finished feeding the five thousand after what had already been an exhausting season of ministry. Mark tells us that there had been so many people coming and going that Jesus and the disciples hadn’t even had time to eat. Jesus sends the disciples on ahead of Him in the boat while He dismisses the crowds. Then He finally gets alone and goes up the mountain to pray.

I always find it fascinating that Jesus needs His time alone in prayer. What an example He is to us. If Jesus needed time alone with the Father, how much more do we?

Meanwhile, the disciples are struggling on the water. Mark tells us that Jesus could see them straining at the oars because the wind was against them. Eventually Jesus goes out to meet them, walking on the water.

What a shocking sight that must have been! At first, the disciples were terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus reassured them: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Ever the eager one, Peter asked Jesus if he could come to Him on the water. Jesus simply said, “Come.”

And Peter did.

For a moment, it must have been exhilarating. Peter actually got out of the boat and walked toward Jesus on the water.

But then Peter noticed the wind.

That’s when everything changed.

He became frightened and began to sink, crying out for Jesus to save him. Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.

Jesus questioned Peter’s faith. Why? Peter had just watched Jesus feed five thousand people. He had seen Jesus walking on the water. He had even been walking on the water himself!

And then he noticed the wind.

When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind ceased. The disciples, awed by what they had witnessed, worshiped Jesus and declared, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Application:

That night on the Sea of Galilee, we see what happens when the reality of Christ confronts the forces that frighten us.

Throughout Christian history, the boat has often been used as an image for the church, sailing upon the waters of the world. Sometimes those waters are calm. Sometimes the winds blow fiercely.

And the winds of this world will blow.

There will always be bad news available to us. It isn’t difficult to find. In fact, sometimes it seems our world thrives on sharing the bad news rather than the good.

How easy it is to become like Peter.

We take our eyes off Jesus and begin watching the wind.

“I’m afraid of the wind!”

What wind are we afraid of?

Culture.

Politics.

Wars.

Economics.

Relationships.

Maybe there are times when we even cry out, “Lord, You don’t understand all these winds! You don’t understand everything I’ve been going through!”

But Jesus does know about the wind.

Before the disciples ever saw Jesus coming toward them, He had already seen them struggling against it. The wind that frightened them was not a surprise to Him.

And still, Jesus came.

The interesting thing is that Jesus didn’t stop the wind before Peter stepped out of the boat. Peter was invited to walk toward Jesus while the wind was still blowing.

Maybe that’s the part I need to remember.

Faith doesn’t necessarily mean that Jesus will remove every wind that frightens me. It means that the wind doesn’t get to determine where I look.

When I stare at the wind, I begin to sink.

When I look toward Jesus, I discover His hand already reaching for me.

The power of the Son of God is far greater than the wind.

So, let’s not allow the wind to rule the day.

Prayer:

Lord, though the winds may blow, help me to grasp Your outstretched hand and live in faith with my eyes fixed on You. Amen.