Fear, Faith, & Examples to Follow

Matthew 14:25-33 “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.””

Let’s look at the actions and responses of the disciples:

1. They saw Jesus, but they didn’t recognize Him, they were terrified.

2. They cried out in fear.

3. Peter stepped out of the boat at Jesus’ invitation and began to walk on the water

4. Peter got distracted by the wind and waves around him and began to sink, he cried out in fear

5. Jesus and Peter returned to the boat together

6. The disciples worshiped Jesus and acknowledged His Deity.

Now, look at the actions and responses of Jesus:

1. Jesus walked on the water to the disciples’ boat- He knew right where they were

2. He immediately reassured them when they cried out in fear

3. He invited Peter to come out on the water with Him (He didn’t rebuke his doubt or give a sermon, He simply said “Come”

4. Jesus immediately reached out to catch Peter as he began to sink.  There is that word again…immediately

5. Jesus questioned Peter’s faith and his doubt

6. He climbed into the boat with Peter and the disciples.

Do you notice the difference?  The disciples were focused on the situation.  Jesus was focused on the relationship.  Go back and read the lists again. 

The disciples didn’t even recognize Jesus. He was there. He spoke to them, but their distraction at the things going on around them kept them from hearing His voice.

Then, Peter stepped out in faith to walk on the water. We need to ask, was he motivated to prove something to himself (that it really was Jesus) something to others (that he would be the one to walk on water) or was he fully driven to walk toward Christ- focused on Him, pursuing Him?

Jesus said “Come”, an invitation to join Him, an offer to pursue relationship and Peter was initially focused on Jesus, yes.  But as soon as he got distracted, he shifted his focus to what was going on around him. He began to sink. Peter quickly realized the impact of fear on his focus, his faith and his position.  He got distracted by the situation.

When we struggle with anxiety and fear and we pursue ways to control it, face it and conquer it, are we doing it to prove something to ourselves, to others, or to pursue Christ?  Are we focused on the relationship, or on the events going on around us?

Friends, there is so much that can captivate our thoughts and our hearts.  Where is our focus?  Are we listening to Jesus, calling us to come to Him?  Are we looking to Him alone in the midst of our storm, or are we too busy watching the wind and waves and anticipating what they will do to us?  How often do we allow our fear and anxiety to consume our focus?  …And if we’re sinking, what kind of example are we setting for others…for our sons and daughters?

Here are the things we need to remember.

1. In Matthew 14, Jesus knew exactly where the disciples were.  He knows right where we are too.  He knows where our sons and daughters are.  He can be right there with them, reassuring them, calling them to ‘come’.

2. God will direct us into things we cannot handle on our own- we need to trust Him

3. The boat was buffeted by the waves…but as soon as Jesus stepped into the boat, the wind died down - When we invite Jesus into our storm, He brings peace.  His presence calms our anxiety.  The difficulty may still be there, but our focus shifts and our heart is assured because our Savior is at the helm. We hear His voice. We know and enjoy His presence. He brings peace and dispels our fear.

It’s no wonder, then, that we see Peter remind us in 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  Peter knew that first hand.

Today, stop and talk to the Lord, He’s calling you to come.  Focus on Him, not the storm.  Invite Him into your ‘boat’.  Rest in the fact that He sees and knows all.  Nothing is out of his control.  Let’s refocus.  Let’s cast our anxiety and fear aside and look to the Lord.  He’s calling us to come.  Let’s set the example for our sons and daughters and pursue Christ instead of sinking in the sea of fear and worry.

Pray without ceasing.