Bible passage: Matthew 14:28–31 NLT
“Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?””
This is one of my favourite passages because it beautifully illustrates the transformative power of fixing our eyes on Jesus. While the other disciples were likely still in shock witnessing Jesus walk on water, Peter’s unwavering focus on Jesus at that moment allowed him to believe against all odds that he could join Him. As a result of his faith, Jesus invited Peter to step out of the boat, and Peter did just that.
The first lesson I want to emphasize from this passage is that fixing our eyes on Jesus produces great faith! This intentional focus on Jesus empowers us and strengthens our faith.
Additionally, Jesus called Peter because He knew Peter was ready. This is a reassuring reminder that God would not instruct us to do anything we are unprepared for. Knowing that God equips us for the challenges He presents should give us comfort and confidence.
As Peter walked on water, however, his attention shifted from Jesus to his surroundings (the winds and waves), and suddenly, fear consumed him, causing him to sink.
This highlights another important lesson: taking our eyes off Jesus opens the door to fear and doubt, which can undermine our faith and hinder our spiritual progress.
When we divert our attention from Jesus, our problems appear larger than they actually are, and we unintentionally place more faith in our troubles than in God. It’s crucial to recognize that we always place our faith in something. It can either be faith that God can and will solve our problems or that the worst-case scenarios of our problems will materialize.
James 1:6-8 says, “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
As James reminds us, if we constantly doubt God, we cannot expect to receive anything from Him. The solution is to fix our eyes on Jesus consistently, which requires us to meditate on His word day and night (Joshua 1:8), place our trust in God and believe every word that emanates from the Bible (Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and maintain a consistent prayer life (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Therefore, if you find yourself overwhelmed by problems or trapped in seemingly impossible or hopeless situations, I encourage you to redirect your focus and fix your eyes on Jesus. In doing so, you will experience His peace, which surpasses all understanding.
Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
