Matthew 14:25-27
And by the fourth watch of the night He came to them while
walking upon the sea. And after the
disciples saw Him upon the sea while walking around they were being caused to
experience distress while saying that it is a ghost. And from their fear they cried out. And immediately Jesus spoke to them while
saying, “Be courageous. I am. Do not fear.”
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
When the disciples see Jesus, they are afraid. Once more we see Jesus working completely and
totally outside the box of physical laws.
We can’t blame the disciples for not understanding! Who among us would understand if Jesus were
to appear and walk upon water in the middle of the night if we were in a boat
in the middle of a storm? God works
outside the box. It is perfectly normal
for us to encounter fear of the unknown when God is doing something new and
unimaginable.
Have you ever been afraid of what God is doing in your
life? Why might you be afraid?
Second Thought:
Notice that Jesus’ response is immediate. Matthew tells us that immediately upon the
disciples being afraid that Jesus calls out.
God does not enjoy seeing us in discomfort. That doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary from
time to time. Jesus knew the disciples
would be in this position. But that
doesn’t mean God enjoys it; nor does it mean that God wishes it to endure any
longer than necessary.
Does it comfort you to know that God does not enjoy seeing
us suffer? If we truly think that God
responds quickly, what do we need to do in the midst of our distress in order
to hear Him?
Third Thought:
Look at Jesus’ message to the
disciples. No, I’m not talking about
when Jesus says, “Be courageous.”
Neither am I talking about when He says, “Do not fear.” In between those comments Jesus sets the
context of why it is that the disciples need not fear. Jesus says, “I am.” This is the same thing that God tells Moses
from out of the burning bush when Moses is afraid. “I am.”
It is God’s name. Jesus looks to
His disciples in the midst of their fear and says to them, “I am.” In other words, “I am God.” Jesus is telling them that when they are the
most fearful that they need to remember that they are in the presence of
God. There is no reason to fear.
How does fear impact your life? Why is it important to remember that God is
in our midst – especially when we are afraid?
Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 14:28-32
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