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A PORTRAIT OF JESUS – Walking on Water

                        

“Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid “ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replies, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said...”  Matthew 14:27-29

 

      Can you imagine walking on water?  What is your reaction to this story?  It can’t be done…for Jesus, not me or I can if He calls me to do it.  We are not talking about accomplishing the possible, we are talking about accomplishing the impossible, not doing something through our own efforts, but through faith and trust in Him.  We must believe it and then it will happen.

 

      When Peter declared his faith in Jesus, Jesus beckons him to “Come.”  This is true for us, as well, when we reach out in faith to our Lord to accomplish the impossible in our lives, He beckons us also to “Come.”  Only when we truly and fully come to Jesus can we accomplish the impossible in our lives.  

 

      Peter rushed to Jesus; he actually walked on the water, at least for a short time. He believed and he did it, but only while he kept his eyes on Jesus.  When all that Peter wanted and desired was to be with Jesus he was able to accomplish what he desired, to walk on the water to Him.  Let’s not forget that lesson.  Our job is to FIX our eyes on Jesus; when we do that we are capable of overcoming anything.

 

      The storms of this life are scary, just as scary as the storm that Peter and Jesus were in.  The waters were raging and the waves slapped Peter in the face…they screamed at Peter to take his gaze off Jesus and look at them, they demanded his attention and his focus.  The storms that rage in our lives are the same, insisting that we focus on them rather than our Lord. Remember that if we give in to their call, we will sink, just as surely as Peter did.  But, if you do succumb to your fears, as Peter did to his, Jesus is there to pull you out of the raging waters and hold you in His arms and allow you to try again.

 

      It is true faith and trust in Jesus that will bring victory. It is only when our desire for Jesus is stronger than the raging seas, that we will remain above water and be able to accomplish the impossible in our lives. So step out of the boat, fix your eyes on Jesus and walk where you never thought was possible.

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                     D. Mathewson