"22 Immediately HE made the disciples get into the boat and go before HIM to the other side, while HE dismissed the crowds.
23 And after HE had dismissed the crowds, HE went up on the mountain by HIMSELF to pray. When evening came, HE was there alone,
24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night HE came to them, walking on the sea.
26 But when the disciples saw HIM walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.
27 But immediately JESUS spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
28 And Peter answered him, "LORD, if it is YOU, command me to come to YOU on the water."
29 HE said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to JESUS.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "LORD, SAVE ME."
31 JESUS immediately reached out HIS hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly YOU are the SON of GOD."
It seems it is easier to trust in someone or something when it doesn't cost you anything. The disciples has just witnessed JESUS feeding 5,000 men, not counting women and children, with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish, a young boys lunch. JESUS had met the need of all of those people only hours before, but now the need was more personal and immediate!
The disciples saw JESUS walking on water and they were just a bit frightful! Peter, in his usual self, wanted to walk on water with JESUS. When JESUS told Peter "Come" he must have jumped at the opportunity to exhibit his faith. Onto the water Peter went and began making his way to JESUS. "But when he saw the wind", when he took his eyes off of JESUS, everything changed! When Peter kept his eyes on JESUS everything was fine. The wind was still blowing and the sea was still tossed, but everything was fine as long as Peter's eyes were on JESUS!
Peter wanted to be the brave warrior, but FEAR was preventing that! "LORD, SAVE ME" was all that Peter could cry as he began to sink. But JESUS came to his rescue! HE reached out HIS hand and took hold of Peter. How comforting that must have felt, that JESUS, the Son of GOD, was keeping you from sinking in the troubled waters. Why did Peter take his eyes off of JESUS? GOD has a Plan and HE got glory from Peter's lack of faith!
For Peter's lack of faith to be exposed to the rest of the disciples must have been humiliating? To have to cry "LORD, SAVE ME" for everyone to hear must have shown a dependence and reliance on JESUS that was unheard of? My prayer is that I will be just as dependent and reliant on JESUS in my life as Peter was that night! May I ever say, whether I am before danger or safe and secure, "LORD, SAVE ME!"
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