Getting to Jesus
“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” Matthew 14:28-32
Ever heard about Peter walking on water until he shifted his focus from Jesus to the storm, fell into doubt, began to sink, and cried out to Jesus who rescued him? It’s one of the most preached passages I’ve heard, yet for years I missed four incredible words and a vital message because I got caught up in the miracle and got lost in others’ preaching. I always heard preaching about faith, staying focused on Jesus, and getting a miracle. Then God opened my eyes with four words.
“To go to Jesus.” Peter wasn’t caught up in the miracle of walking on water like so many of us are in hearing the story. He was bound and determined to get to the Lord! The passage says, “he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” How did this begin? Peter saw Jesus walking on water, told Jesus to tell him to come to him if He was really Jesus, and responded to Jesus saying, “Come” by stepping out in faith. He was so resolved to get to Jesus that even when he started to sink, he cried out to Jesus to save him! Not once does the passage say Peter was thrilled with the idea of walking on water, or seeing a miracle performed by Jesus, or of imitating what Jesus had done. Peter wanted TO GET TO JESUS!
The message? How many of us are caught up in the miracles, blessings, and provision of the Lord rather than in getting to Jesus and abiding in a deeply intimate relationship with the Lord by believing in Him, following Him, and seeking Him daily in Bible study, prayer, praise, and adoration?
If you’ve been caught up in miracles and blessings, shift your focus and get caught up in the Lord!