focusing on Jesus

"As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
   Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.
   But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."
   Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."
  He said, "Come ahead."
   Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"
   Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"
 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!"
Matthew 14:22-33  The Message

This bible story is a favorite. Water, waves, wind...and Jesus coming to the disciples on top of the water.  Compelling and powerful story.  I could preach on this for days... but won't...yet :-)

Two things catch my attention today-  Peter's reaction to Jesus' call to come to him, and Jesus' reaction to Peter.  Peter shows great faith in stepping out of the boat. He does what I'd NEVER think to do...he asks Jesus to make him do what Jesus is doing.  And Jesus does.  Peter starts walking on the water. Amazing!!

Then Peter does what I've so often done...he looks at the waves at his feet.  He takes his eyes off Jesus and looks at the storm.  So many days...so many TIMES a day I take my eyes off of Jesus.  I look at the storm around me, within me, and I forget the one who called me to come and follow Him.  I look at what is overwhelming me.  Like Peter, the waves and storms are real, but I forget that Jesus' power and ability to bring me through the storm are just as real.

But here's the more amazing part...when Peter cries out  "save me!"  JESUS DOESN'T HESITATE.  Jesus immediately reaches down and grabbed his hand.  Likewise, when we cry out, "Jesus, save me !  I'm drowning in this!"  JESUS DOESN'T HESITATE TO REACH OUT TO US.  He is always there to grab our hand and pull us up...whether we are faint-hearts or courageous...or most likely... both.

Today, we are invited to keep our eyes on Jesus. In the midst of the waves that lap at our ankles or crash at our waists, we are called to keep focused on the one who loves us and saved us.  And when the waves get our attention and we start to sink like Peter "the Rock", we know we can cry out to the one who has...and will save us--Jesus.

Powerful God, remind us today that we need not tell you how powerful the storms are around us, for you are already with us in the storms.  Today, help us to remember to tell the storms how powerful you are.  Amen.