THOUGHTS FROM MATTHEW

May 6

Text: Matthew 14:28-33

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped.  And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!" (NASB)

The distraction of dangers!  A danger that threatens us captures our views, occupies our attention, and focuses our concern.  If it seems imminent with dire consequences, we see only ourselves.  Initially we do not think of the person we love or the family. At least for a moment, we think of “me” and how the danger will affect “me.”   We will think of others later, but first each of us thinks of “me.” 

However, the longer we think of “me,” the unhealthier our minds become.  Self-focus is destructive!  To think only of “me” encourages disaster!  The consequences of selfishness are devastating!

The problem: all of us are constantly reminded of swirling dangers.  We attend the funeral of a young adult who died unexpectedly, and we realize we also will die.  We visit a good friend in the hospital and are reminded of how easy it is to get sick.  We see a blind person cautiously walking down the sidewalk, and we consider how our lives would be affected by blindness.  The news reports an accident that killed a family because an intoxicated person drove, and we wonder how many intoxicated people we have met or passed in our car.  The reminders of daily dangers are endless!

Peter said, “Jesus, if it is you, let me to walk on this stormy sea to you!”  Jesus said, “Come!”  With eyes on Jesus, Peter walked on stormy water.  Yet, at some point, Peter focused on the dangers instead of Jesus.  The result: Peter began to sink.  He cried for rescue.  Jesus asked: “Why did you doubt?”

Observations: (1) Peter asked for permission to walk on water.  (2) As long as Peter placed confidence in Jesus instead of fearing the danger, he walked on stormy water.  (3) Peter generated the crisis, not Jesus.  (4) Though the crisis was not his fault, Jesus still rescued.

Suggestion for reflection: Do you focus on physical dangers or Jesus?  (Read Hebrews 11:32-12:3.)

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