Thoughts for the Day

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind,[e] he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I once had to walk on a swaying rope bridge over crashing waves a hundred feet below in a gorge from a small island to the mainland! But I don't do large heights, and I froze two steps onto the bridge. I couldn't go forward or back. I was absolutely stuck, with a queue of people behind me. My husband, Adrian, had already made it to the otherside, and began to shout encouragement. Forcing my eyes from the horrendous drop below I looked up at him, and by keeping my eyes on his face and listening to his voice I slowly began to move forward.

Jesus has just fed 5,000 people and according to John's account the people are trying to proclaim him as the Messiah (John 6.15), but he needs to disperse the crowd and get the disciples away. The time is not yet right, but an even greater priority is his need to pray. Throughout his ministry we see Jesus withdrawing to spend time alone with his Father. As John Trapp, the 17th century theologian says, "Secret prayer feeds the soul, as secret morsels feed the body".

In today's reading we see Jesus returning after his time with God. He appears walking on the raging water, and after the miracle Peter has just seen he has sufficient faith to walk to him. But when he lets his eyes drop from Jesus to the tumult below, his faith diminishes and he begins to sink until Jesus rescues him..

How much more do we need to pray - before, after, and during, life's storms - and keep our focus on Jesus, if we are to persevere as a Christian?

Lord Jesus,
may we keep our eyes on You
when the storms of life oppress us,
and we we fear to drown under their weight.
Give us the courage to trust in You
and Your plans for our life,
and guide us to safety
this day.
Amen.