Focus

Listen to Matthew Chapter 14
or read "Focus"

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

... Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
I have fears. I worry about things. Most people do. Some of us perhaps conceal our fear better, but if we are human it's there. It may be of extreme weather or natural disasters. It may be a fear of sickness or disease. We may worry about our families safety or our children when they are way at school. We may be afraid of car accidents or flying on airplanes. Some can't be in tight closed in spaces with out being overcome with fear. Some are afraid of water and drowning. Fear can overwhelm us. Many fears seem to be connected with those things we feel like we can't control. Sometimes just a little control eases our fear even if it doesn't really change the fact that we don't have control over what will happen. The bottom line is we really don't have control over what will happen.



What an incredible event this was. The wind and waves are preventing the disciples from getting anywhere. Fear comes over them when they see a man walking out on the lake. It turns out to be Jesus. He is in complete control of nature walking across the lake like it was the desert.

Seeing Jesus defy nature Peter wants to try to do the same. After Jesus invited him out onto the water he gets out of the boat and walks towards Jesus. When he took his focus off Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves it was kicking up, doubt and fear overcame Peter, and the possible was impossible again. It is all about our focus. Are we focusing on our fears that lead to doubt or on the Lord who has the power to do the impossible?

Take note that even when we do focus on our fear and doubt, Jesus reaches out for us. Yes Jesus expressed disappointed in Peter but he still reached out for him and saved him. Jesus did not cut off the relationship. Peter remained a close disciple of Jesus. Perhaps Peter learned more from sinking. Perhaps he knew more clearly of his own weakness and more of the incredible power of Christ.



The above pen and ink sketches are titled "Christ walking on the waves" and were done by Rembrandt in the 1600's.

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