No Doubt

Matthew 14:22-33 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “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?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

In preparation for our upcoming Wednesday evening Small Group Bible Study lesson, the teacher Ray Vander Laan brought up a great point that when Peter doubted, he did not doubt Jesus. Peter sank, but Jesus did not. Peter, being a disciple of Jesus, not only wanted to know what Jesus knew, but also be like the Lord, asked to come. And Jesus granted his request but telling him to “come”. What Peter doubted was that he could be like Jesus. Whoever is a true disciple in Jesus must walk as Jesus walks. To follow the Lord, who walks on water, you have to have the faith to get out of the boat.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We tend to be impressed by what secular people make with their hands, and we find ourselves wanting to be like this. Yet, we pass right by this beautiful earth that God has made without taking a second look. In doing so, we find that we are just another one of them with a different god. Where is the glory? We are in the world, but not of the world. The temptations are always appealing and alluring, but the child of God puts the kingdom of Heaven and the Lord’s purposes first in priority despite the distractions of this world. No doubt.

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.

In Christ, Brian