Keep your eyes on Him

---

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14: 27-33 (NIV)

---

There are lots of things going on around the world, and around us, that can easily distract us from fixing our eyes upon the Lord. So many people have missed their route, and the purpose of God for their life just because of distractions and stopping what they are doing for God as a result.

We see this in Matthew’s gospel.

Now, whilst there are many truths, and lessons to be learned in this passage of Scripture, today, I want to particularly focus on verses 30 and 31, “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. “

These two verses are perhaps the most powerful in this passage. We see that Peter has taken the step of faith but was distracted by the wind and became afraid. Peter asks and Jesus commands him to come, and Peter does great when he first gets out of the boat.

Take note that this miracle now includes Peter walking on top of the water and he continues to do so until he takes his eyes off Jesus and notices his circumstances. I can imagine that it would be difficult to walk on top of waves that are going up and down. Perhaps that is what prompts him to start looking around him. You do not see the wind itself, but rather its effect on other things. Peter feels it against his face and he sees the big waves. That is the point when doubt enters, faith departs, fear begins, and he begins to sink.

We are often no different than Peter in the smallness of our faith. You learn something of the nature of Christ and so step out in faith to obey him and you do great until you start examining your circumstances and begin doubting. Our circumstances can lead us to stumble, but it is important to note here that it is not your faith that is important, it is the one in whom you have placed that faith.

Notice that when Peter starts sinking he calls out to the Lord for help and He graciously reaches out to him, lifts him up and takes him to safety. We can, and should, do the same thing when we find ourselves in trouble with our faith failing and our lives sinking. Jesus is there, and He will help.

I want to conclude with a simple point from Hebrews 12:1-2. Here, the writer points us to their example and Jesus – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

So, learn a lesson from Peter. Jesus is the one that can walk on water, and you can walk with Him if you keep your eyes on Him. And if you waver and begin to sink, then be sure to quickly cry out for His help, and He will save you.

Reflect today: What things are holding you back from walking on water? Do you need to refocus and fix your eyes on Him?

“When you're lost in the dark, Keep your eyes on me When the light in your heart is too burned out to see, Keep your eyes on me, Keep your eyes on me.”

Amen