Matthew 14:22-33
Mark 6:45-52
John 6:15-21
(v22)And straightway Jesus constrained (compelled) his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitude away.
Why did Jesus compel His disciples to go in the ship before Him? Why didn't He go with them or go on before them first?
I believe He was teaching them that they should never get ahead of Him. We can't get ahead in life trying to go before the Lord. Jesus has to either be in the same ship with us or He has to have already gone before us in the way.
(v24)But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Jesus sent His disciples over to the other side. Now all of a sudden the waves begin to start up & the winds begin to blow. There was a storm beginning to form. Surely the Son of God knew there would be a storm to come upon them on their journey to the other side.
Jesus sent them without Him to allow them to know that no matter what may happen in their life and no matter where they are at, He would always be there for them.
(v25)And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
Why did Jesus let them stay in the midst of the storm through the second and third watches of the night?
The fourth watch of the night is considered 3 a.m. until 6 a.m. The disciples had took off in the ship right before the second watch of the night (I am assuming). They had been trying to get to the other side for approximately seven hours give or take.
Jesus wanted them to have faith. No doubt the disciples were scared. They probably thought their life would end that very night.
The Lord might of wanted them to see that it doesn't matter if things look bad, that He will show up right on time.
Jesus wanted them to see that although they worked all night they couldn't save themselves.
Sometimes God will not show up in a situation until all of our options are depleted. He will not show up until the time is right for us to see He is the One who has came through for us. He wants our dilemmas and situations to bring Him glory! But He also wants to show us who He truly is.
Jesus came walking on the water and spoke to them and said...."Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid (v27).
(v28)Peter wasn't exactly sure that it was Jesus calling out to him. He believed in his heart this was Jesus but he wanted to be sure. Peter asked the Lord that if it truly was him to bid him to come to him on the water. (v29) And Jesus told him to come.
These scriptures remind me of when Jesus comes into our lives and we feel He is speaking to us but we sometimes are not sure it is Him or if we are in ourselves. So we ask the Lord if it is truly you show a sign or confirm that this thing is of You.
Once the Lord told Peter to come, there must of been some unction and excitement in Peter's spirit. If there hadn't of been something there he would of never attempted to leave the boat. Probably a little nervous Peter put one foot out and then the other. The hardest part would have been letting go of the boat! To let go or not to let go was the question Peter asked himself. Boldly he let go and began walking toward Jesus.
Just like our walk with God, we know when we get a word from the Lord. If He has called us to do something. The Lord said in Matthew 10 that His sheep know His voice and no other will they follow. Peter was definitely one of the Lord's sheep.
(v30)but when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus and d o not pay attention to the other things we hear people saying about us, we will not sink. But as soon as we begin to listen to what others think we should do and what others say we cannot do, we get doubt in our hearts. We begin to even question on whether or not we've heard from the Lord, and we begin to "sink".
(v31).....O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Whatever the Lord has called us to do, we do not have to worry about how we will accomplish it. For He has prepared the way before the foundation of the world. And He has placed inside of us, while we were yet in our mothers wombs, the tools and necessities we would need in our life. The Lord will never call us to do anything that we are not equipped to do.
By Peter stepping out of the boat the other disciples got to see Jesus' saving power at work right before their very eyes.
Even though we make mistakes and sometimes mess up, God can still use those situations to bring Him glory!
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