“BY HIMSELF TO PRAY!”

 

Matthew 14:22-33                     (ESV)

JESUS Walks on the Water

“[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.”

Reading this passage of Scripture in its entirety displays to me that JESUS had characteristics that were undoubtedly DIVINE!  JESUS had JUST fed 5,000 men, plus women and children, and HE went “BY HIMSELF TO PRAY”!  “When evening came, HE WAS THERE ALONE”!  

Making sure that the 5,000+ people who were just fed had no issues wasn’t a concern.  HIS forerunner, John the Baptist, had just been beheaded by Herod due to the request of Herod’s stepdaughter.  HIS disciples were already on the Sea of Galilee battling a ferocious windstorm!!!  Yet THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES was spending time with HIS FATHER IN PRAYER!!!

What LESSON do I need to be able to GLEAN from this scenario?  For someone who is being TAUGHT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT to SLOW DOWN, I need to understand that if JESUS HIMSELF took time out of HIS busy schedule to PRAY, this humble servant DEFINITELY needs to SEEK HIM before breathing, no matter how “busy” my schedule becomes!!  There is NOTHING more critical in life than to be IN TUNE with GOD in my life!!!

JESUS took time to be “BY HIMSELF TO PRAY”, even when HIS schedule was crowded with the cares of “this world”……no matter what came up!!!  I MUST SEE this more CLEARLY!!!