Red Letter Bible Study--Matthew 14:22-33 (Mark 6:45-56; John 6:16-24)
As soon as the crowd is done eating, and the disciples have picked up the leftovers, Jesus sends the disciples back into the boat and across to the other shore. He stays behind to be alone in the mountains and to pray. As it gets dark, the boat has made it far off shore and is encountering a storm. According to John, the boat was about 3-4 miles from the shore. Jesus walks out to them at the fourth watch, approximately between 3am and 6am, according to the Roman division of the night into "watches". (According to Mark, Jesus intended to walk past them but they saw Him, and thought He was a ghost!) Jesus announces Himself and calms them. Peter says if it's really you, ask me to come to you on the water, and Jesus does. Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus and starts to sink. Jesus rescues Peter, questioning his lack of faith. Jesus gets into the boat with them and the storm calms.
Jesus knows the importance of spending time alone with His Father. His disciples were most trusted friends, He was on mission with them. Yet, He knew that even they (and maybe especially they) drained Him of the energy He needed to go on. He knew the source of that energy was God the Father. As He goes to be reunited with His disciples, He sees them struggling, yet waits from dusk to almost dawn before walking to them. They are terrified when they see Him, but He says "Take heart, it is I." "Take heart" in the original language has a sense of faith that is bolstered by God Himself. But Peter, asking to walk on the water, shifts his faith from Jesus to his circumstances. The circumstances can not and will not bolster faith like God can, and Peter starts to sink. He calls out for salvation, and Jesus rescues him.
When my kids were little, I used to tell them the story of Peter walking on the water while they were in the bath. I'd say "When Jesus called Peter to come to Him on the water, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he didn't get water in his eyes. It was only when he looked down did the water get in his face." (Trying to teach them to keep their face up so water wouldn't run into their eyes while getting their hair washed 💓) Then we would sing "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." This is what changes me from this account. I want to seem full of faith and call out to God to let me take a big step. But then I get caught up in taking the big step. And I'm shocked that I start to sink because I'm taking the big step towards God, right? I forget that my faith is only bolstered when my faith is in the One who is strong enough to hold it up. Jesus patiently reminds me and you, through the example of the disciples, that He is a trustworthy Rescuer. And that should prompt us to join in worship with the first disciples, praising Him and saying "Truly, You are the Son of God."
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